Description
Delight in these classic Sour Cream Cut Out Cookies, featuring a tender, flavorful dough enriched with sour cream and nutmeg, perfectly soft with golden edges. These cookies are rolled and cut into fun shapes, then topped with rich, creamy vanilla frosting that can be colored and decorated with sprinkles to suit any celebration or mood.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened slightly (but NOT melted) (1 cup)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (at room temperature)
- 1 cup full fat sour cream (at room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more if needed, and additional for rolling)
Frosting
- 6 cups powdered sugar (divided)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 1/4 cup + 2 teaspoons whole milk (plus additional, if needed)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (for dying frosting)
- Sprinkles or sparkling sugar (for decorating)
Instructions
- Make the Cookies: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air for a tender texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, sour cream, baking soda, ground nutmeg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix on medium speed until all ingredients are well combined, forming a creamy base for the dough.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually beat in 3 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour. The dough will be very thick. If it feels too sticky or thin, add additional flour a tablespoon at a time, up to 4 tablespoons maximum, until the dough is firm and workable.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld and dough to firm up for easier handling.
- Prepare to Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit for 15 minutes to soften slightly for rolling.
- Roll Out Dough: Generously flour your work surface and rolling pin. Divide dough into portions about 1 cup each. Flatten each portion into a disc with your hands, then roll out to about 1/8-inch thickness. This ensures even cooking and proper cookie thickness.
- Cut Cookies: Use your favorite cookie cutters to shape the dough. Transfer the cut cookies in batches onto unlined cookie sheets carefully to avoid distortion.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 6 to 12 minutes. Start checking at 6 minutes; cookies should be just beginning to turn light golden brown around the edges. The cookies will be soft when removed from the oven.
- Cool Cookies: Transfer baked cookies carefully to parchment paper and let cool completely before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
- Make the Frosting: In the stand mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 2 cups powdered sugar and 4 tablespoons butter at medium speed for 2 minutes until the butter breaks down into small bits. Add milk and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.
- Add Remaining Sugar: Gradually add the remaining 4 cups powdered sugar while mixing at medium-high speed. Beat for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. The frosting will be very thick.
- Color and Adjust Frosting: Divide the frosting into several bowls and add food coloring a few drops at a time to reach desired colors. If frosting becomes too thick after coloring, add milk a few drops at a time to achieve a thick but spreadable consistency.
- Decorate Cookies: Spread the frosting generously over the cooled cookies and immediately sprinkle with sprinkles or sparkling sugar to decorate before the frosting sets.
Notes
- Do not melt the butter; just soften it slightly to ensure the right texture in the dough.
- Chilling the dough overnight significantly improves rolling and flavor development.
- Cookie baking time varies by oven and cookie size; watch closely to avoid overbaking.
- If frosting becomes too thin, add more powdered sugar to thicken before coloring.
- For best results, use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth batter and dough.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
