Old-Fashioned Sour Cream Cookies are soft, pillowy and just like the ones mom or grandma used to make. These timeless, tender sugar cookies have a delicate texture and a hint of nostalgia in every bite. Whether you're baking for a special occasion or just craving a classic cookie, this easy, no-roll recipe is sure to become your go-to favorite
Top the cookies with homemade buttercream frosting or serve them on a tray with brownies from a homemade mix for a delicious assortment!
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⭐ Why Melinda Loves Sour Cream Cookies
These cookies are quick to make. Ready in about 30 minutes. Just mix, drop and bake for fresh cookies faster than a cookie delivery!
I'm a big fan of old-fashioned recipes and this is another recipe that comes from my mom's collection. Like Old Fashioned Salmon Patties and Old Fashioned Strawberry Rhubarb Pie - this recipe is a classic!
Thanks to the sour cream, these cookies have a cake-like, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
🍰 Ingredients to Have on Hand
Flour and Sugar: These two kitchen staples make it easy to whip up a batch of soft and tender Sour Cream Cookies any time the craving strikes. With just flour, sugar and a few other simple ingredients, you’re minutes away from a delicious homemade cookie.
Nutmeg: Use just a ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg to add a subtle touch of delicious nuttiness.
Sour Cream: Here's the ingredient that makes these cookies incredibly soft and tender. Sour cream adds moisture and richness to the cookie dough. It also brings a slight tangy flavor, which balances the sweetness.
Scroll to the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
📖 Sour Cream Cookie Variations
One of the best things about Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cookies is how versatile they are. Serve them plain, like my Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies, or top them with a sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar before baking or after baking sprinkle them with powdered sugar or best of all, spread frosting on top of each one.
Cinnamon Sugar Topping: Before baking sprinkle each cookie with a blend of sugar and cinnamon. This gives the cookies a taste similar to a snickerdoodle.
Powdered Sugar: After baking, place powdered sugar in a small strainer and dust each cookie with a light coating of powdered sugar. Just like my Old Fashioned Chocolate Pound Cake, powdered sugar makes a great, easy topping!
Frosting: This is my favorite way to serve these cookies. After cooling, spread each sugar cookie with a layer of frosting. A few sprinkles add extra charm as well!
🧁Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg and set the bowl aside. Oops. My mixing bowl was clear glass, so it's hard to see it in this photo, but please be assured I didn't mix the ingredients on a cutting board. (Photo #1)
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl combine the softened butter, sugar, egg and vanilla extract. (Photo #2)
Step 3: Once those ingredients and blended and creamy, stir in the sour cream and milk. (Photo #3)
Step 4: Add the dry ingredients to the large mixing bowl and stir to combine. (Photo #4)
Step 5: The dough will be sticky, that's OK! Use a spoon or rubber spatula to stir the dough to ensure all the ingredients from the edge of the bowl are blended. (Photo #5)
Step 6: Drop the dough by rounded tablespoons on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. (Photo #6)
Step 7: Dampen your fingers and gently press down on each cookies to flatten it a bit and give it a somewhat round shape. (Photo #7)
Step 8: Place the baking sheet in an oven preheated to 350°F oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the cookies are puffy and no longer shiny. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before placing them on a cooling rack. This helps the cookies set and finish cooking. (Photo #8) Remove from the baking sheet and frost your cookies. Add sprinkles as well!
⭐ Pro Tip
A homemade buttercream frosting is delicious with Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cookies. I make a half batch of my regular buttercream frosting: ½ cup butter, softened, 2 cups powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1-2 teaspoons half and half and a dash of salt. Use a sturdy spoon or hand-held mixer to blend the ingredients until you get the consistency you'd like.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Yes, this is how my mom likes to make them. Just add an additional ⅔ cup flour and chill the dough in the refrigerator overnight. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface and cut into shapes. The baking time is the same.
Yes, although the flavor is different from vanilla extract it is a delicious substitution.
👩🏻🍳 Storage
After the cookies cool and you have frosted them (optional) keep them covered and at room temperature. The cookies are best if enjoyed within 3 days.
⭐ Pro Tip
To Freeze Frosted Cookies
Place the frosted cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet or plate, cover them lightly with plastic wrap and place them in the freezer. Keep them there just until the cookies are frozen, it should take about an hour.
At that point, remove the frozen cookies from the freezer. Now they can be stacked and placed in a freezer-safe container or bag. For the best flavor, defrost the cookies and enjoy them within 3-4 months.
🥧 Other Tasty Sweets and Desserts
Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cookies are a tried and true recipe for cookies, check out these additional recipes that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
💬 Did You Make This Recipe?
If you make Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cookies I'd love to hear how your sugar cookies turned out. Please scroll down and leave a 🌟 star rating and a comment below. I'm looking forward to hearing from you!
Recipe
Melinda O'Malley Keckler says
Hi! This is Melinda! I hope you enjoy this classic sugar cookie recipe as much as my family has. There's just nothing better than an old fashioned recipe.