Grandmas Sour Cream Sugar Cookies Recipe

Grandma’s Cozy Sour Cream Sugar Cookies Recipe

Soft, buttery sugar cookies bring back cherished memories of grandma’s kitchen and her classic sour cream sugar cookies that melt in your mouth.

These beloved treats carry whispers of nostalgia and comfort from generations past.

Each golden-edged cookie promises a delightful blend of sweetness and tender crumb.

The simple ingredients blend effortlessly to create a timeless dessert that connects us to fond childhood moments.

Baking these cookies fills your home with warmth and an irresistible aroma that beckons everyone to the kitchen.

You’ll fall in love with this easy recipe that transforms basic ingredients into something truly magical.

One bite transports you straight to grandma’s loving embrace and her delectable baking tradition.

Why Grandma’s Sugar Cookies Feel Special

  • Whip Up Family Memories: These nostalgic cookies bring generations together with their classic homemade taste and simple preparation that sparks joy in every kitchen.
  • Customize with Creativity: Easy to decorate with frosting, sprinkles, or seasonal designs, making them perfect for holidays, birthdays, or casual weekend baking adventures.
  • Master Baking Basics: Beginner-friendly recipe teaches fundamental baking techniques like creaming butter, mixing dry ingredients, and rolling out dough, helping home bakers build confidence.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Soft, tender cookies with a delicate sour cream tang that appeals to both kids and adults, suitable for potlucks, school events, or afternoon snack time.

Ingredients for Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The foundation that provides structure and texture to the classic sugar cookies.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates a rich, creamy base that gives the cookies a tender and melt-in-your-mouth quality.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden, crisp exterior.
  • Egg: Binds the ingredients together and provides structure to the cookie dough.
  • Sour Cream: Adds moisture and a subtle tangy flavor that makes these cookies extra soft and delicious.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, classic flavor that complements the sweetness of the cookies.
Baking Accessories:
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.
  • Flour (for rolling): Helps prevent the dough from sticking when rolling and cutting out shapes.

Steps for Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F and grab your baking sheets.

Line them with parchment paper to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Set this magical mixture aside for now.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud of deliciousness.

Your mixer will be your best friend here.

Step 4: Blend the Wet Ingredients

Toss in:
  • Egg
  • Sour cream
  • Vanilla extract

Beat everything until it’s perfectly combined and smooth.

Step 5: Create the Cookie Dough

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to your wet ingredients.

Mix until a soft, pillowy dough forms.

Don’t overmix – you want these cookies tender!

Step 6: Roll and Cut the Cookies

Dust your counter with flour.

Roll out the dough to a ¼-inch thickness.

Break out those cookie cutters and start creating your cookie masterpieces.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange cookies on the prepared baking sheets.

Slide them into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes.

Look for those beautiful golden edges – that’s when you know they’re ready.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool completely.

Decorate if you’re feeling fancy, or enjoy them in all their simple, delicious glory.

  • Use minimal flour when rolling dough to prevent tough, dry cookies that lose their delicate texture.
  • Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes to make rolling and cutting shapes easier and prevent spreading during baking.
  • Roll dough precisely to ¼-inch for consistent baking and perfect tender-crisp texture throughout each cookie.
  • Let cookies cool completely before adding frosting or decorations to ensure smooth, clean application and prevent melting.
  • Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their soft, delightful texture.
  • Gluten-Free Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a low-carb, gluten-sensitive option. Adjust liquid ratios slightly to maintain cookie texture.
  • Dairy-Free Version: Swap sour cream with coconut yogurt or mashed banana. Use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter to create a lactose-free treat.
  • Reduced Sugar Cookies: Substitute half the sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Add a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg to enhance natural sweetness without extra calories.
  • Chocolate Chip Upgrade: Fold in mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts into the dough before rolling. Sprinkle extra chocolate on top before baking for added richness.

How to Serve Sugar Cookies Sweetly

  • Sweet Holiday Presentation: Arrange cookies on festive platters with sprinkled powdered sugar for elegant Christmas gatherings.
  • Colorful Kid-Friendly Topping: Let children decorate cookies with rainbow sprinkles, chocolate chips, or colored frosting for fun family baking time.
  • Dessert Pairing Delight: Serve alongside cold milk, hot cocoa, or creamy vanilla ice cream for a delicious complementary treat that enhances the cookie's soft texture.
  • Gift-Worthy Packaging: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon as charming homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, or holiday celebrations.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep them in the coolest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
  • Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label container with date for easy tracking.
  • Remove frozen cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Cookies will return to soft texture without losing flavor or quality.
  • Warm cookies briefly in microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore original softness and bring out butter's rich taste.

FAQs

  • Can I substitute sour cream with another ingredient?

Yes, you can use Greek yogurt or buttermilk as alternatives to sour cream. They provide similar moisture and tanginess to the cookies.

  • How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling and cutting. This helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking and prevents excessive spreading.

  • What's the best way to roll out the cookie dough?

Use a lightly floured surface and roll the dough to an even ¼-inch thickness. Rotate the dough occasionally to ensure uniform thickness and prevent sticking.

  • Can I freeze the cookie dough for later use?

Absolutely! Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and baking.

Print
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Grandmas Sour Cream Sugar Cookies Recipe

Grandmas Sour Cream Sugar Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Grandma’s sour cream sugar cookies bring nostalgic comfort straight from her cherished kitchen to your plate. Sweet memories unfold with each tender, melt-in-your-mouth bite that connects generations through simple, loving baking.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Baking and Sweetening Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven to 350°F and arrange parchment paper on baking sheets to prevent sticking.
  2. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
  3. Using an electric mixer, blend butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth base for the cookies.
  4. Incorporate egg, sour cream, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, mixing until ingredients are fully integrated and smooth.
  5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft, pliable dough emerges without overmixing.
  6. Dust work surface with flour and gently roll out dough to a uniform ¼-inch thickness, using gentle pressure to maintain consistency.
  7. Select preferred cookie cutters and carefully stamp out shapes, transferring delicate cutouts onto prepared baking sheets.
  8. Slide cookie-laden sheets into preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges as a doneness indicator.
  9. Remove cookies from oven and allow them to cool completely on wire racks before decorating or serving.

Notes

  • Ensure butter is at room temperature for smoother creaming and better cookie texture.
  • Chill dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent sticking and maintain cookie shape.
  • Use a light hand when mixing dry ingredients to keep cookies tender and soft.
  • For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 130 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 1.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg
Natalie Brooks

Natalie Brooks

Co-Founder & Content Strategist

Expertise

  • Vegan and plant-based recipe creation
  • Meal planning and nutritional analysis
  • Storytelling through blog content, video, and social media

Education

eCornell

  • Program: Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate
  • Focus: Whole-food, plant-based cooking, with a foundation in nutritional science and sustainable eating habits.

Natalie brings the vibrant, plant-powered side to Culinary Duo. After earning her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from eCornell, she combined her love for fresh ingredients with a passion for storytelling, aiming to make healthy cooking simple and satisfying.
Her kitchen motto: good food doesn’t need a fancy label, it just needs fresh ideas and a little creativity. Outside of writing and recipe testing, Natalie’s happiest in her garden, exploring farmers’ markets, or mixing global flavors into new kitchen experiments.

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