If you’re like me and adore cookies that are tender, flavorful, and just melt in your mouth, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. It’s a winning combination of soft, cakey cookies enriched with tangy sour cream, paired with a luscious, creamy frosting that’s just the right amount of sweet. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become your go-to treat for every occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Soft Texture: The sour cream keeps these sugar cookies ultra tender and soft, no dry bites here.
- Delicious Cream Cheese Frosting: This isn’t your average frosting — it’s rich, tangy, and perfectly sweet to complement the cookie.
- Easy to Customize: Whether you want to add sprinkles or use seasonal flavors, this recipe adapts beautifully.
- Great Make-Ahead Option: Chilling the dough overnight really amps up the flavor and helps with ease of rolling and cutting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe strikes the perfect balance between pantry staples and just a few special ingredients — like sour cream and cream cheese — that take vanilla sugar cookies to a whole new level.
- Butter: Use softened butter for creamy dough and tender cookies.
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar sweetens and helps with that lovely cookie structure.
- Eggs: Our binder that also adds moisture and richness.
- Vanilla: A little vanilla goes a long way in flavor depth.
- Baking Soda and Baking Powder: These leaveners give the cookies the perfect gentle lift.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Sour Cream: The star ingredient for softness and a slight tang.
- Flour: All-purpose flour creates just the right crumb.
- Cream Cheese: For the frosting’s signature creamy tanginess.
- Powdered Sugar: Essential for that silky, sweet cream cheese icing.
Variations
I love making this recipe my own depending on the occasion or what I have on hand — it’s super flexible and forgiving. You can easily adjust or add to make it your own little masterpiece.
- Gluten-Free Version: I tried swapping in a gluten-free flour blend, and while it needed a bit more chilling time, the cookies still came out soft and delicious.
- Flavor Twists: Adding a teaspoon of almond extract or citrus zest to the dough or frosting infuses a fresh new take that my family absolutely loved.
- Decorating Ideas: For holidays, I mix a little food coloring into the cream cheese frosting and top with festive sprinkles — kids go crazy for it!
- Dairy-Free Option: I swapped in vegan butter and a dairy-free cream cheese, and while the texture shifts slightly, it’s a pretty tasty alternative.
How to Make Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients for Fluffy Softness
Start by sifting together the baking soda, salt, baking powder, and flour. I always sift because it aerates the mixture and removes lumps, making your cookie dough much easier to work with and the cookies lighter in texture.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Airy
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar for about 3 minutes until pale and fluffy. I find this step crucial because it builds the base for tender cookies with a delicate crumb.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla for Rich Flavor
Beat in the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract, continuing to mix for another 3 minutes. The eggs bring moisture and structure to your cookies while vanilla adds that warm, comforting aroma.
Step 4: Alternate Flour and Sour Cream for Perfect Dough
Add the sifted flour and sour cream in three parts, finishing with flour. I discovered this trick when I first made these cookies — it prevents the batter from curdling and keeps the dough silky smooth and manageable.
Step 5: Chill Overnight for Best Results
Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. I can’t stress enough how chilling improves flavor and makes rolling less sticky — this step is a game changer.
Step 6: Roll and Cut Your Cookies Gently
Preheat your oven to 375℉. Divide the dough in half and roll out on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Since the dough is soft, lightly flour your cutters and choose simple shapes like circles or hearts because intricate shapes won’t hold up well.
Step 7: Bake Lightly Golden and Cool Properly
Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden. Overbaking leads to dryness, so keep a close eye here. Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack — this helps them set without breaking.
Step 8: Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy, then gradually mix in powdered sugar and vanilla. I like adding a bit of vanilla for extra depth, and if you want to get fancy, a few drops of food coloring make the frosting pop.
Step 9: Frost and Decorate Your Cookies
Spread the frosting with a small spatula or pipe it onto the cookies using a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Then add sprinkles or sugar crystals for a fun, festive touch. My kids always love helping with this step — it’s one of the sweetest parts!
Pro Tips for Making Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Chilling Makes a Difference: Always chill the dough overnight — it improves flavor and makes cutting much easier.
- Handle Dough Gently: Because the dough is soft, work quickly but softly; too much flour can toughen up the cookies.
- Watch the Bake Time Closely: Take cookies out when edges just start to turn golden, not darker, for the best soft texture.
- Use Room Temp Ingredients: Softened butter and cream cheese blend more easily leading to smoother dough and frosting.
How to Serve Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping these cookies with colorful sprinkles, edible glitter, or chopped nuts for extra texture. Sometimes I go simple with just a dusting of sanding sugar on the frosting for a little sparkle without overpowering the flavor.
Side Dishes
My favorite way to serve these is with a warm cup of tea or freshly brewed coffee — the softness of the cookie pairs perfectly with a hot drink. They’re also amazing alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream as a decadent dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or parties, I arrange these cookies on tiered dessert stands and pipe fun messages on them. For holidays, I even make bite-sized mini versions and package them in clear treat bags tied with ribbons — trust me, they make great gifts!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The frosting stays nice and creamy, and the cookies retain their softness. If you notice they get a little firmer, just pop a slice of bread in the container — it keeps them moist for longer!
Freezing
These cookies freeze wonderfully! I freeze them un-frosted in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a ziplock bag or container. When ready, thaw overnight and frost fresh — the frosting doesn’t freeze well, so it’s best to add it after thawing.
Reheating
If you want to revive refrigerated or thawed cookies, warming them for about 10-15 seconds in the microwave brings back that super soft, just-baked feel without melting the frosting. Just be careful not to overheat and make them gooey.
FAQs
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Can I make Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe without sour cream?
While sour cream is key to the softness and tangy flavor here, you can substitute with Greek yogurt if needed, but expect a slightly different texture and tang. It’s best to use full-fat yogurt for similar results.
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Why do I need to chill the dough overnight?
Chilling firms up the dough, making it easier to roll and cut, and it also helps the flavors meld together, resulting in more flavorful and soft cookies. If you skip this step, the dough may be too sticky and the cookies might spread too much during baking.
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How long do these cookies stay fresh?
If stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies stay soft and fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature. Refrigerating can make them firmer, so I usually avoid that unless your kitchen is very warm.
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Can I decorate these cookies without cream cheese frosting?
Absolutely! You can use traditional buttercream, royal icing, or even a simple glaze for decorating. However, the cream cheese frosting adds a unique tang and creaminess that truly complements these soft cookies.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe holds a special place in my heart — it’s one of those rare recipes that always delivers softness, flavor, and visual appeal every single time. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, these cookies are sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. I encourage you to give this recipe a whirl; I bet it’ll become a treasured classic in your kitchen like it did in mine.
Print
Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 27 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are tender, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. The dough is enriched with sour cream, giving the cookies a moist and soft texture, while the cream cheese icing adds a rich, tangy sweetness. Ideal for shaping with simple cookie cutters like hearts and circles, these cookies are delightful treats that balance a classic sugar cookie taste with a creamy frosting finish.
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Dough:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup sour cream
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
Cream Cheese Icing:
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: Sift together baking soda, salt, baking powder, and flour; set aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer, beating for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract, continuing to mix for another 3 minutes until fully combined and smooth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Sour Cream: Add the flour mixture alternately with the sour cream in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix gently after each addition until just combined to form a soft dough.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight or for at least 8 hours to allow it to firm up and develop flavor.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dough: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and divide it in half. Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out one portion of dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Brush off any excess flour from the surface of the dough.
- Cut Out Cookies: Using lightly floured cookie cutters (simple shapes like hearts or circles recommended), cut out shapes from the dough. Note that the dough is soft and will not hold highly detailed shapes well.
- Arrange and Bake: Carefully place the cut cookies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. There is no need to grease the baking sheet as the cookies will not stick. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookie edges begin to turn a light golden color.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make Cream Cheese Icing: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Add Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until fully blended and smooth. Add food coloring if desired at this stage.
- Decorate Cookies: Spread the icing onto cooled cookies using a thin metal spatula or pipe the icing with a bag fitted with a star tip. Optionally, decorate with sprinkles, drageés, or sparkling sugars for added festive flair.
Notes
- This dough is quite soft and best suited for simple cookie cutter shapes without intricate details.
- Refrigerating the dough overnight enhances flavor and makes it easier to handle.
- Cookies should be removed from the oven as soon as the edges start to turn golden for the softest texture.
- Use softened butter and cream cheese for the icing to ensure smooth consistency.
- Additional flavorings or food colorings can be added to the icing to customize the cookies for holidays or special occasions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
