Description
Sweet sugar cookies from grandma’s kitchen bring nostalgic comfort to family gatherings. Buttery, delicate treats melt in your mouth, inviting you to savor each delightful bite of pure homemade happiness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups (360 g/12.7 ounces) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (225 g/8 ounces) unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup (200 g/7 ounces) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fluid ounces) sour cream
Leavening Agents:
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, for added flavor)
Frosting Ingredients:
- ½ cup (115 g/4 ounces) unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups (240 g/8.5 ounces) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk (to thin)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie placement.
- Create a dry mixture by thoroughly whisking flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, then set aside for later incorporation.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes airy and voluminous, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Introduce eggs individually to the butter mixture, then blend in vanilla extract, almond extract, and sour cream until smooth and well-integrated.
- Carefully fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined, ensuring a soft and cohesive dough forms.
- Portion the dough using a cookie scoop or by rolling tablespoon-sized balls, positioning them evenly across the prepared baking sheets with sufficient spacing.
- Slide the trays into the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for set edges and slightly puffy tops while maintaining a pale appearance.
- Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
- Prepare the frosting by whipping butter until creamy, then gradually incorporating powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Once cookies have completely cooled, decorate by spreading or piping frosting, optionally adding food coloring or sprinkles for visual appeal.
Notes
- Soften Butter Perfectly: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to achieve the ideal creamy texture without melting, ensuring smooth cookie dough.
- Prevent Dry Cookies: Avoid overmixing the flour to keep cookies tender and soft, stirring just until ingredients are combined to maintain moisture.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version, or use plant-based butter and egg alternatives for vegan cookies.
- Maximizing Flavor: Enhance taste by using high-quality vanilla extract or adding a pinch of almond extract for depth of flavor without overwhelming sweetness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg