Sour Cream Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe

If you’re hunting for a melt-in-your-mouth cookie that’s just a bit different from your everyday chocolate chip, I’ve got you covered with this Sour Cream Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe. These cookies bring together the tangy richness of sour cream with the soft sweetness of buttercream, creating a perfect balance that’ll have you reaching for seconds (or thirds!). Trust me, once you try this recipe, it might just become your go-to for special occasions or everyday indulgence.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Sour Cream Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe plays an essential role to create that iconic soft texture with a luscious frosting finish. I always recommend using full-fat sour cream and quality butter for the best results.

• Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature to cream easily and lend richness without extra salt.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides the perfect sweetness and helps create that tender crumb.
• Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture and structure.
• Full-Fat Sour Cream: The secret star for a soft, cakey texture and subtle tangy flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: You’ll need this for structure — make sure to measure carefully.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough without making them cakey like a cake.
• Baking Soda: Works with the sour cream to tenderize and add a little lift.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the cookie’s flavor.
• Buttercream Frosting: I love making this homemade, but store-bought works in a pinch; feel free to tint with gel food coloring.
• Sprinkles: The fun finishing touch for a festive vibe.

Variations

I absolutely love how versatile this Sour Cream Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe is. Over time, I’ve played around with a few tweaks to suit different occasions, preferences, or dietary needs. Feel free to get creative and make it your own!

• Gluten-Free Variation: I swapped the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend once, and although slightly more delicate, the cookies were still wonderful.
• Flavor Twists: Adding a teaspoon of lemon zest or an almond extract splash can take these cookies to next-level flavor in a heartbeat.
• Frosting Fun: Try cream cheese frosting instead of buttercream for a tangier finish that pairs beautifully with the sour cream cookie base.
• Vegan Adaptation: Use plant-based butter, flax eggs, and dairy-free sour cream; I’ve tested a version, and with minor tweaks, it works nicely.

How to Make Sour Cream Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper—this little step ensures your cookies won’t stick and clean-up is a breeze. In your large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together. I love to use a stand mixer or handheld beaters until the mixture is pale and fluffy; this usually takes about 3-4 minutes. This creaming step is where the magic starts, giving your cookies their tender crumb, so don’t rush it.

Step 2: Add the Egg, Sour Cream, and Vanilla

Next, crack in the egg and continue mixing until fully incorporated. Then add the sour cream and vanilla extract, stirring gently until smooth. The sour cream is a total game changer here—it keeps these cookies wonderfully moist and gives them that tangy hint I adore. Just make sure you’re using full-fat sour cream for best results. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures everything mixes evenly so you don’t get salt pockets or unmixed leavening agents, which can affect how your cookies bake. Plus, it makes folding the dry ingredients easier and more uniform.

Step 4: Gently Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet

Gradually add your dry flour mixture to the wet batter, mixing just until everything is combined. Here’s a little lesson I learned the hard way—overmixing makes the dough tough and dense, so stop as soon as you no longer see flour streaks. The dough should feel soft but manageable.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake Your Cookies

Use a rounded tablespoon or a small cookie scoop to drop dollops of dough about 2 inches apart on your parchment-lined baking sheet. This distance is key so the cookies have room to spread without merging into one another. Pop them into the preheated oven and bake for about 10 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye on them—the edges should look just lightly golden but the center will still be soft. That’s the sweet spot.
Once out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Frost and Decorate

After the cookies have cooled completely (this is important—warm cookies and frosting don’t mix well), spread a generous layer of buttercream frosting on each one. I love tinting my frosting with gel food coloring—it adds such a fun pop of color, especially when serving for parties. Finally, sprinkle your favorite toppings over the frosting and enjoy that little spark of happiness!

How to Serve Sour Cream Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

For me, sprinkles are the ultimate playful garnish—rainbow or themed sprinkles depending on the occasion always bring a smile. Sometimes I toss on a few edible glitter flakes or tiny sugar pearls for a touch of elegance when serving to guests. Fresh herbs like mint can even add an unexpected, lovely contrast if you’re feeling adventurous!

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk or a comforting cup of hot tea. I especially love serving them alongside a bowl of fresh berries or light whipped cream for a more indulgent afternoon treat. They also complement a simple coffee break beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

When I want to jazz them up for a party, I arrange these cookies on a tiered cake stand with coordinated frosting colors and matching sprinkles. You can also nestle them in pretty cupcake liners or stack them in clear jars tied with festive ribbons for gifting. I once made a “cookie bar” with various colored icing and toppings my friends loved crafting their own creations from—it’s a huge hit every time!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container placed in the fridge to keep the buttercream frosting fresh. This way, they stay delicious for up to 3 days. Just take them out about 15 minutes before serving so they’re not too cold and let that frosting soften up perfectly.

Freezing

When freezing, I freeze the cookies unfrosted to avoid any textural issues with the buttercream. Lay them flat in a single layer in a freezer-safe container or bag, and they’ll keep up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw them completely before spreading your frosting—this trick really saves time during busy holidays!

Reheating

If you want a freshly baked feel, especially when cookies have been refrigerated, I pop them in a 300°F oven for about 3-5 minutes. Just don’t add frosting before warming! After reheating, let them cool and then frost as usual for that just-baked delight.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Sour Cream Cookies with Buttercream Frosting Recipe has become one of my favorite treats to bake and share because it’s just downright delicious and simple enough to whip up anytime. It’s the kind of recipe that makes you feel like a baking rockstar without needing fancy ingredients or expensive tools. Seriously, I can’t wait for you to try it – I’m sure you’ll find yourself making these cookies again and again, just like me.

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