Sour Cream Cookies: Soft and Simple from the Heart

Sour cream cookies are soft, lightly sweet, and deeply comforting. These sour cream cookies have a tender texture and subtle tang come from one secret ingredient: sour cream. These cookies are easy to make, yet feel like something truly special. Perfect for afternoon coffee, holiday trays, or a quiet moment at home, they bring a touch of warmth without any fuss.

Hi, I’m Beck. My love for cooking began in my grandmother’s kitchen where everything was made from scratch and always with care. I still remember standing on a stool, helping her roll out sour cream cookie dough, sneaking bits of sour cream batter while she smiled and pretended not to notice. Her way of cooking taught me that great food doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs heart.

That memory is why I started Simpled Recipes. I want to help you find that same ease and joy in your kitchen. These sour cream cookies are a reflection of that belief. They are simple, reliable, and full of comfort. Just the kind of recipe you turn to when you want something made with love.

Let’s bake something worth remembering.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These sour cream cookies are soft, pillowy, and just the right amount of sweet.
Whether you want a simple dessert or a comforting weekend bake, sour cream cookies fit right into real life. Here’s why they’ll become a staple in your home:

• Uses basic ingredients you likely already have
• Sour cream adds tenderness and a light tang
• Dough is easy to handle and perfect for cut-outs or drop cookies
• Kid-friendly, freezer-friendly, and perfect for sharing
• Ready in under 30 minutes, including bake time

Whether you want a simple dessert or a comforting weekend bake, this recipe fits right into real life. You might also enjoy the chocolate chip cookie recipe or try something fun like cookie croissants for your next bake.

Ingredients List

These ingredients are straightforward and pantry-friendly. Below, you’ll find not just what you need, but also why each one matters for the perfect batch of sour cream cookies.

• All-purpose flour – Forms the structure and balances the moisture from sour cream
• Baking soda – Reacts with the sour cream to help the cookies rise gently
• Salt – Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness
• Butter – Adds rich flavor and creates a tender crumb
• Granulated sugar – Sweetens the cookies and helps them brown slightly
• Egg – Binds the ingredients and adds richness
• Sour cream – Provides moisture, softness, and a light tang
• Vanilla extract – Adds a warm, sweet aroma and depth of flavor
• Optional add-ins: cinnamon, nutmeg, or lemon zest – Customize your cookies for a seasonal or citrusy twist

Note: Exact measurements for each ingredient are provided below in the recipe card section at the end of the article.

If you love soft and comforting treats, the snickerdoodle bars or lemon lemon brownies are also worth exploring.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making sour cream cookies is a smooth, straightforward process. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have soft, delicious cookies that taste like they came from a bakery. Follow this guide closely for the best results.

1. Cream the butter and sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, giving your sour cream cookies a soft and delicate texture.

2. Add the egg, sour cream, and vanilla
Crack in the egg and mix until fully combined. Then stir in the sour cream and vanilla extract. The batter will look slightly creamy, and that’s exactly what you want for these cookies.

3. Whisk dry ingredients separately
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures that the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

4. Combine the wet and dry
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms. The dough should be smooth and hold together without sticking to your hands. If you’d like to add cinnamon, lemon zest, or nutmeg, fold it in here.

5. Chill the dough (optional, but recommended)
Chilling for at least 30 minutes helps the cookies hold their shape and enhances flavor. It also makes the dough easier to handle if you’re rolling and cutting.

6. Preheat and prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step ensures even baking and easy clean-up.

7. Shape and bake
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet or roll out and cut into shapes. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are just turning golden. Do not overbake—these sour cream cookies are best when soft in the center.

8. Cool and optionally frost
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. You can enjoy them plain or top them with a light vanilla glaze or cream cheese frosting if you prefer.

For more cookie inspiration, check out our banana oatmeal cookies or add a fun twist with churro cheesecake on your dessert table.

Tips and Substitutions

These sour cream cookies are flexible and beginner friendly. Here are a few helpful tips and easy swaps to make them fit your needs, no matter what’s in your pantry.

Tips for Success

• Use full-fat sour cream for the softest texture and best flavor
• Chill the dough for easier handling and better cookie shape
• Do not overbake. Remove from the oven when the edges just begin to turn golden
• For cut-out cookies, roll dough to ¼ inch thickness and flour the surface lightly

Substitutions

• Greek yogurt can be used in place of sour cream if needed
• Butter alternatives like plant-based sticks work, but may slightly change texture
• Add a teaspoon of lemon zest for a fresh citrus twist
• Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top before baking for extra flavor

Looking to pair your cookies with something rich? These peanut butter fudge squares make a perfect complement on a holiday tray or dessert spread.

Storage and Reheating

Sour cream cookies store beautifully and stay soft for days with proper care. Here’s how to keep them fresh and delicious.

Room Temperature:
Store cooled sour cream cookies in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Place a piece of parchment or wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.

Freezing:
These cookies freeze well. Place baked cookies in a single layer on a tray to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Store for up to 2 months.

Reheating:
To enjoy warm cookies, microwave one or two for about 8 to 10 seconds. If frozen, allow to thaw at room temperature before warming.

If you’re planning a dessert board, these cookies also pair well with apple crumble cheesecake for a rustic, crowd-pleasing finish.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does sour cream do in a cookie?
Sour cream adds moisture, softness, and a subtle tang to cookies. It helps create a tender texture without making the dough too wet. In sour cream cookies, it also works with baking soda to give the cookies a gentle rise and light crumb.

What can I make with lots of sour cream?
Sour cream is a versatile ingredient that works in both sweet and savory dishes. You can use it in cookies, cakes, muffins, dips, creamy casseroles, or sauces. If you’re in the mood for baking, try these lemon lemon brownies or a tangy glaze on snickerdoodle bars using sour cream.

What are Snoop Dogg cookies?
Snoop Dogg cookies refer to recipes from the rapper’s cookbook From Crook to Cook. His cookie recipes often include classic ingredients with bold flavor twists like nutmeg, cinnamon, or unusual infusions. They’re known for being fun, flavorful, and approachable for home bakers.

What does sour cream do in baking?
In baking, sour cream adds richness and moisture without thinning the batter. It enhances flavor, creates a tender crumb, and helps baked goods rise due to its acidity reacting with leavening agents. This makes it ideal not only for sour cream cookies but also cakes, breads, and muffins.

Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just treating yourself, these sour cream cookies are a reminder that simple recipes can bring the most joy. Keep it easy, bake with heart, and enjoy every bite.