The holiday season is the perfect time for baking, and there’s nothing better than homemade cookies to share with friends and family. If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s easy to make and perfect for decorating, these Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies should be at the top of your list. Soft, flavorful, and with just the right balance of sweetness, these cookies are sure to become a family favorite for years to come.
Why You’ll Love Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies
These sour cream cut-out cookies stand out for their soft and tender texture, which makes them a unique twist on traditional sugar cookies. The sour cream adds moisture and richness, resulting in cookies that melt in your mouth. Unlike other cut-out cookies that can be dry or overly crispy, these ones have the perfect chewiness, making them ideal for shaping and decorating.
The dough is easy to work with, and the cookies hold their shape beautifully during baking. Plus, you can get creative with your icing and sprinkles, making them an excellent choice for decorating with kids or as part of a holiday cookie exchange.
Ingredients for Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies
To make these delicious cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- Decorative icing (royal icing or buttercream)
- Sprinkles, colored sugar, or edible glitter for decoration
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Cookie Dough
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until creamy and smooth. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer.
Next, add the egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream to the butter mixture, mixing until fully combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
2. Chill the Dough
Once your dough is ready, divide it into two portions and wrap each one in plastic wrap. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This step helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to roll out later.
3. Roll Out the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Take one portion of chilled dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use your favorite Christmas-themed cookie cutters—stars, snowflakes, trees, or gingerbread men—to cut out the cookies. Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
4. Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking. Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
5. Decorate Your Cookies
Once the cookies have cooled, it’s time to decorate! Use royal icing or buttercream to frost your cookies, then get creative with sprinkles, colored sugars, or edible glitter for a festive touch. You can make each cookie unique or create fun designs with different colors.
Tips for Success
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is essential for the best results. Not only does it prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking, but it also makes it easier to cut out shapes.
- Roll Evenly: To ensure uniform cookies, roll the dough evenly. You can use rolling pin rings to help with thickness.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: For the best flavor, make sure your baking powder and vanilla extract are fresh.
- Decorate After Cooling: Always allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating to prevent the icing from melting.
Storage and Freezing Tips
These sour cream cut-out cookies stay fresh for up to 1 week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to make them ahead of time, you can freeze the dough. Simply wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw the dough in the fridge before rolling it out and baking.
Why These Cookies Are Perfect for Christmas
These Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies are perfect for the holiday season because they combine everything you love about Christmas baking—delicious flavor, fun decorating, and sharing with loved ones. Whether you’re baking them for a holiday party, a cookie exchange, or just for the joy of it, these cookies will add a sweet touch to your celebrations.
Conclusion
This Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to make memorable holiday treats. With their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and endless decorating possibilities, they are perfect for creating a festive atmosphere in your kitchen. So, grab your cookie cutters, gather your family, and get ready to bake these delicious Christmas cookies that are sure to bring smiles to everyone who tastes them.
Serving and Storage Tips for Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies
Serving Tips:
- Perfect for Holiday Gatherings: These cookies make a great addition to any holiday spread. Serve them on a festive platter at Christmas parties, family gatherings, or cookie exchanges. You can even place them in gift boxes to share with friends and neighbors.
- Pairing with Drinks: Sour cream cut-out cookies pair wonderfully with a variety of beverages. Serve them with a hot cup of cocoa, a glass of milk, or even a warm spiced cider for a cozy treat.
- Decorating Fun: These cookies are perfect for a decorating party! Let kids (and adults!) have fun with colored icing, sprinkles, and edible glitter. Make each cookie unique, and watch as your guests create their own masterpieces.
Storage Tips:
- Room Temperature: Store your Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to 1 week. Keep the cookies in a cool, dry place to prevent them from becoming soft or stale.
- Layering for Protection: If you have multiple layers of cookies in the container, place a sheet of parchment paper between them to avoid sticking and to keep the decorations intact.
- Freezing: If you want to make these cookies ahead of time, they freeze beautifully. Place the baked and cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, and then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They will stay fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Freezing the Dough: You can also freeze the dough before baking. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw the dough in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and cutting out your cookies.
With these serving and storage tips, your Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies will remain delicious and festive throughout the holiday season!
1. Can I use a different type of fat instead of butter in this recipe?
While butter provides the best flavor and texture for these cookies, you can substitute it with margarine or shortening if needed. Keep in mind that the taste and texture may differ slightly, with margarine resulting in a softer dough and shortening potentially making the cookies slightly crispier.
2. How can I make these cookies dairy-free?
To make these Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies dairy-free, you can substitute the butter with a dairy-free margarine or vegan butter. For the sour cream, use a dairy-free alternative like coconut cream, soy sour cream, or almond milk-based sour cream. This will help you enjoy the recipe without the dairy!
3. Can I freeze the cookies after they are decorated?
Yes, you can freeze Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies after they are decorated. However, to preserve the decoration, be sure to let the icing set completely before stacking the cookies. Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to an airtight container once they are solid. They will stay fresh for up to 3 months in the freezer.
4. How can I prevent my cookies from spreading too much during baking?
To prevent spreading, make sure the dough is chilled thoroughly before baking. The colder the dough, the less likely it is to spread in the oven. Additionally, make sure your baking sheets are not greased or lined with wax paper, as this can encourage the cookies to spread. Using parchment paper or a silicone baking mat works best!
Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: About 24–30 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Holiday Treat
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies are soft, tender, and perfect for decorating with festive icing and sprinkles. The addition of sour cream gives them a deliciously rich flavor and keeps them wonderfully moist. A must-have for holiday baking!
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Royal Icing (Optional):
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp meringue powder
- 4–6 tbsp water (adjust for consistency)
- Food coloring (optional)
Decorations:
- Holiday sprinkles
- Colored sugars
- Edible glitter
Instructions
1. Make the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
2. Chill the Dough:
- Divide the dough into two portions and flatten each into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours.
3. Roll and Cut:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use festive cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
4. Bake:
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set but not browned.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Prepare the Royal Icing (Optional):
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and meringue powder.
- Add water 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the icing reaches your desired consistency (thicker for piping, thinner for flooding).
- Divide into bowls and mix in food coloring as desired.
6. Decorate the Cookies:
- Use piping bags or a spoon to decorate the cooled cookies with icing.
- Add sprinkles, colored sugars, or edible glitter for festive touches.
- Allow the icing to set completely, about 2-3 hours, before stacking or storing.
Notes
- Prevent Spreading: Chill the cut-out cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake.