If you’re on the hunt for a cookie recipe that’s irresistibly soft, super flavorful, and comes with a dreamy frosting, you’ve got to try this Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies bake up tender thanks to the sour cream, and the cream cheese frosting on top adds that perfect tangy-sweet finish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. Stick with me—I’ll share all my little tricks so you can nail these beauties every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deliciously Soft and Tender: The sour cream keeps these cookies moist and soft in a way that just melts in your mouth.
- Easy to Customize: The simple sugar cookie base works beautifully with various shapes, colors, and sprinkles.
- Rich Cream Cheese Frosting: That creamy, tangy icing perfectly balances the sweetness—trust me, it’s a game changer.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough chills overnight, so you can prep ahead and bake fresh cookies whenever you want.
Ingredients You’ll Need
I love how the ingredients in this Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe come together for that perfect balance of sweetness, tenderness, and rich flavor. Grab quality ingredients for best results—you’ll notice the difference, especially with the butter and cream cheese.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter softened to room temperature; it cream together better with sugar and gives rich flavor without adding saltiness.
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar for the dough, and powdered sugar for the frosting to keep things silky smooth.
- Eggs: Bring them to room temp before mixing for better incorporation and texture.
- Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla makes a noticeable difference in the flavor, so don’t skip on quality here.
- Baking soda and baking powder: Both are needed to help the cookies rise just right while keeping them soft.
- Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Sour cream: This is the secret weapon for softness and moisture; Greek yogurt is a decent substitute but sour cream is king here.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure; be sure to measure correctly by spooning and leveling for the best cookie texture.
- Cream cheese: For the frosting, softened and smooth—it gives that tangy richness you’ll adore.
Variations
One of the best things about this Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I usually stick to the classic, but trust me—you can get creative with flavors and decorations, and it still turns out fabulous.
- Flavor swaps: Adding a teaspoon of almond extract instead of vanilla is something I tried once, and my family loved the subtle nutty aroma it gave.
- Colorful frosting: I often dye the cream cheese frosting with gel food coloring for birthdays or holidays—the colors stay vibrant and don’t thin out the icing.
- Texture twists: For a little crunch, I sometimes sprinkle coarse sugar or colored sanding sugar right after frosting; it adds a nice contrast that my kids ask for every time.
- Dietary tweaks: You can experiment with gluten-free flour blends, but note that the dough texture may change slightly—chilling becomes even more important then.
How to Make Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Mixing the Perfect Dough
Start by sifting together your baking soda, salt, baking powder, and flour—this keeps everything evenly distributed and helps your cookies bake uniformly. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy—don’t rush this part; it makes a big difference in texture. Then beat in eggs and vanilla, again for about 3 minutes, which helps incorporate air for gentle fluffiness. Alternately add the flour mixture and sour cream, in three parts, starting and ending with flour. This keeps the dough balanced and soft. Once mixed, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or at least 8 hours—it’s a step I used to skip but never will again because it makes rolling and shaping so much easier and keeps flavors deep.
Step 2: Rolling and Cutting Your Cookies
Preheat your oven to 375℉. Divide the chilled dough in half and lightly flour your work surface—this dough is soft, so be gentle when rolling. Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick; too thin and they won’t stay soft, too thick and they take forever to bake through. Brush off excess flour with a pastry brush, then use cookie cutters that are simple shapes—hearts and circles work best as the dough doesn’t hold very intricate shapes well. Carefully transfer your cut-outs to a parchment-lined cookie sheet. No greasing necessary here; they won’t stick thanks to the butter. Pop them in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes or just until the edges barely start turning golden—you want to avoid overbaking to keep that soft texture. Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5-10 minutes before moving them to a rack.
Step 3: Whipping up the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cookies cool, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Then mix in powdered sugar and vanilla until fully blended and silky. If you want to add food coloring, this is the moment—it blends evenly without thinning the icing. I like to frost the cookies with a thin metal spatula to get a smooth surface or sometimes pipe a pretty design using a star tip; either way, sprinkle with fun toppings if you like for that festive touch.
Pro Tips for Making Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Chilling is Non-Negotiable: I used to skip chilling the dough, but it makes cutting easier and yields better texture.
- Don’t Overbake: Pull the cookies out as soon as edges just begin to turn golden to keep them soft.
- Use Room Temp Ingredients: Using room temperature butter, eggs, and cream cheese ensures a smoother dough and frosting.
- Roll Gently: Because the dough is soft, roll it gently and flour your surface lightly to prevent sticking without drying out the dough.
How to Serve Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with classic sprinkles or sanding sugar because they add just the right pop of color and texture without overwhelming the delicate cookie flavor. Sometimes I toss on edible glitter or tiny dragees for festive occasions—kids love how they sparkle! Fresh zest of lemon or orange sprinkled on top of the frosting is a trick I recently discovered and it adds a fresh zing that brightens the cookie.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a simple cup of tea or a rich latte, especially if you want an afternoon pick-me-up. For holiday gatherings, I like to lay them out with fresh fruit slices and a cheese platter to balance the sweetness. They also go surprisingly well with vanilla bean ice cream if you’re feeling decadent!
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, I’ve arranged these cookies in pretty layers on tiered cake stands, which always impresses guests. You can also decorate them themed with colored frosting and shapes (think hearts for Valentine’s, stars for Christmas). Another fun idea I tried was packaging each cookie in little cellophane bags tied with ribbons—a sweet party favor that’s always a hit.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—it helps keep them soft for several days. To avoid that dreaded stale cookie, I like to put a slice of bread in the container; the moisture from the bread helps maintain softness. Just swap the bread every couple of days.
Freezing
Freeze the unbaked dough dough balls wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling and cutting. I’ve also frozen baked cookies without frosting—wrapped well, they keep texture nicely. For frosting, I recommend making fresh, but you can freeze it for shorter stretches in an airtight container.
Reheating
To refresh slightly stale cookies, pop them in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes—you’ll get back some of that just-baked softness. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the frosting intact, as it can melt or get runny, but if you must, do it in very short bursts and watch carefully.
FAQs
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Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream in this recipe?
Yes, Greek yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream, though the texture might be slightly different. Sour cream adds a bit more tang and richness, which contributes to the cookie’s softness and flavor, so Greek yogurt might make the cookie a little less tender but still tasty.
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Why do I need to refrigerate the dough overnight?
Chilling the dough firms it up, making it easier to roll and cut. It also helps the flavors meld together and reduces spreading in the oven, resulting in thicker, soft cookies instead of thin, flat ones.
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Can I freeze the frosted cookies?
Freezing frosted cookies is possible but tricky, as the frosting might soften or separate upon thawing. If you want to freeze, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, freeze until firm, then store in an airtight container. Let thaw gently in the fridge before serving.
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How do I keep the cookies soft after baking?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread inside to keep moisture levels balanced. Avoid overbaking—they should come out when edges just start turning golden but the center still feels soft.
Final Thoughts
This Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it combines simple ingredients into something surprisingly elegant and comforting. Whenever I bake these, the house fills with that warm vanilla aroma and the sight of soft, frosted cookies always brings smiles around the table. I can’t recommend this recipe enough if you want to impress friends or just treat yourself to a truly soft, flavorful cookie. Give it a try—you’ll soon see why it’s become one of my absolute favorites.
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
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are tender and flavorful, perfect for any occasion. The sour cream in the dough adds moisture and a slight tang, while the cream cheese frosting provides a rich, creamy finish. Easily cut into simple shapes, these cookies are ideal for decorating with your favorite sprinkles and icing techniques.
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
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: Sift together the baking soda, salt, baking powder, and flour in a bowl and set them aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, continuing to beat for another 3 minutes to achieve a smooth batter.
- Combine Flour and Sour Cream: Alternately add the sifted flour mixture and sour cream into the wet ingredients in three additions, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined.
- Chill Dough: Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it overnight or for at least 8 hours to allow flavors to develop and dough to firm up.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dough: Remove chilled dough from the refrigerator, divide it in half, and roll out each portion on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Brush off excess flour.
- Cut Out Cookies: Use lightly floured cookie cutters to cut shapes. Note that the dough is soft and will hold simple shapes like hearts and circles best.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the cut cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet; greasing is not necessary as the cookies will not stick.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden. Allow cookies to cool for 5-10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Icing: Beat together cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually mix in powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until the icing is smooth and well blended. Add coloring if desired.
- Decorate Cookies: Spread the cream cheese icing on cooled cookies using a thin metal spatula or pipe using a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Decorate with sprinkles or sugared toppings as desired.
Notes
- The dough is soft and better suited for simple cookie shapes without intricate details to prevent distortion.
- Refrigeration is key to firming up the dough and enhancing flavor development.
- Using parchment paper for baking prevents sticking and eliminates the need to grease the baking sheet.
- Allow cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to avoid breakage.
- Customize the cream cheese frosting with food coloring or various decorative toppings to suit your preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
