Soft & Jolly Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies Recipe

Sweet memories dance through my kitchen when crafting this sour cream cut-out christmas cookies recipe that whispers nostalgia from childhood baking adventures.

Delicate snowflake shapes emerge from soft, pillowy dough with magical precision.

Butter and sugar blend into a creamy canvas waiting for festive decoration.

Festive sprinkles sparkle like winter’s first frost across these tender treats.

Crisp edges promise a delightful crunch that melts into rich, smooth interiors.

Holiday cheer lives in every carefully rolled and carefully cut cookie.

These classic cookies invite you to create delicious moments that warm hearts and spark joy.

Roll up your sleeves and let the baking magic begin!

Why Everyone Keeps Baking These Sour Cream Cookies

• Requires simple ingredients and basic baking skills, perfect for both novice and experienced bakers who want stress-free holiday treats.
• Prepare dough ahead of time, then enjoy decorating cookies together, creating delightful memories with kids and loved ones during Christmas season.
• Customize cookie shapes with various Christmas-themed cutters, allowing endless creativity and personal expression for holiday celebrations.
• Dough can be prepared in advance and refrigerated, making it ideal for busy holiday schedules and perfect for last-minute gatherings or gift-giving.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Cut-Out Christmas Cookies

• Flour: Provides structure and base for the cookie dough. All-purpose flour works best for consistent texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light. Fresh baking powder ensures better leavening.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness. Use fine table salt for even distribution.

• Butter, Sugar: Create creamy, sweet base with rich flavor. Softened butter blends smoothly. Use unsalted butter for better control of sweetness.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness. Room temperature egg integrates better.
• Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tangy flavor. Full-fat sour cream provides best texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides deep, warm flavor. Pure vanilla extract recommended for best taste.

• Royal Icing, Buttercream: Provides decorative coating for cookies. Homemade or store-bought options work well.
• Sprinkles, Colored Sugars, Edible Glitter: Add festive and colorful finishing touches. Choose Christmas-themed colors for holiday spirit.

How to Prepare Sour Cream Christmas Cookies

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Set this mixture aside for later use.

Step 2: Cream Butter And Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to blend softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and light. This process typically takes 3-4 minutes of continuous mixing.

Step 3: Combine Wet Components

• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Sour cream

Mix until everything is perfectly blended and smooth.

Step 4: Create Cookie Dough

Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Mix until a soft, pliable dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.

Step 5: Chill Cookie Dough

Divide dough into two equal portions. Wrap each portion in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for minimum 2 hours to help dough firm up.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Space

Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 7: Roll And Cut Cookies

Place chilled dough on lightly floured surface. Roll to 1/4-inch thickness. Use festive holiday cookie cutters to create Christmas shapes.

Step 8: Arrange Cookie Shapes

Transfer cut-out cookies onto prepared baking sheets. Space cookies approximately 2 inches apart to prevent sticking.

Step 9: Bake Cookies

Slide baking sheets into preheated oven. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges turn golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Step 10: Cool And Decorate

Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets briefly. Transfer to wire racks for complete cooling. Decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, and colored sugars for festive flair.

Tips for Perfectly Shaped and Baked Cookies

• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours to prevent spreading and ensure crisp, clean cookie shapes during baking.
• Flour Surface Lightly: Dust your work surface with minimal flour to prevent cookies from becoming tough or dry when rolling out.
• Monitor Baking Time Carefully: Watch cookies closely and remove from oven when edges are just lightly golden to maintain a soft, tender texture.
• Choose Consistent Cookie Thickness: Roll dough to an even 1/4-inch thickness to guarantee uniform baking and professional-looking results.
• Decorate After Complete Cooling: Allow cookies to cool entirely on wire racks before decorating to prevent icing from melting and ensure clean, crisp designs.

The Best Way to Store and Refresh Cookies

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days at room temperature.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Warm cookies briefly in the oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore their soft texture, or enjoy them at room temperature for the best flavor.
• Keep cookies away from humid areas to prevent them from becoming soggy, ensuring they maintain their delightful crispness.

Icing and Beverage Pairings for Holiday Cookies

• A warm, spiced red wine with cinnamon and cloves complements the sour cream's richness and adds festive holiday warmth to these Christmas cookies.
• Smooth, velvety eggnog enhances the cookie's vanilla notes while providing a complementary creamy texture that mirrors the sour cream in the recipe.
• Spicy, aromatic chai tea with its blend of cardamom, ginger, and nutmeg creates a delightful contrast to the sweet, buttery cookie flavor, offering a sophisticated pairing.
• Rich, dark hot chocolate with a touch of peppermint provides a decadent companion to the cookies, melting perfectly with the cookie's delicate texture and adding a festive touch.

Decoration and Flavor Options to Explore

• Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum to maintain cookie structure and texture for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Winter Treats: Swap sour cream with coconut cream or dairy-free yogurt alternative, and use vegan butter or margarine to create allergen-friendly festive cookies.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Cutouts: Substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia blend, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining sweet flavor profile for health-conscious bakers.
• Spiced Holiday Version: Add warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom to the dough for a cozy, aromatic twist that enhances the traditional Christmas cookie experience.

Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sweet memories of Christmas come alive with sour cream cut-out christmas cookies, a nostalgic treat that whispers holiday cheer. Delicate, buttery, and perfectly spiced, these cookies invite festive joy onto your plate and into cherished family moments.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

Liquid and Binding Ingredients:

• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Royal Icing Ingredients:

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 23 tablespoons meringue powder
• 46 tablespoons water (adjust for consistency)
• Food coloring (optional)

Decorations:

• Holiday sprinkles
• Colored sugars
• Edible glitter

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a silky dough by whisking flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, creating a dry ingredient foundation.
2. Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until luxuriously smooth and pale, using an electric mixer for optimal texture.
3. Incorporate egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream into the butter mixture, blending until the ingredients seamlessly unite.
4. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until a soft, pliable dough emerges.
5. Divide the freshly mixed dough into two equal portions, wrapping each carefully in plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss.
6. Refrigerate the wrapped dough for a minimum of 2 hours, allowing it to firm and develop a more manageable consistency.
7. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
8. Retrieve one dough portion and roll it out on a lightly floured surface, aiming for a delicate 14-inch thickness.
9. Select festive Christmas cookie cutters and press into the rolled dough, creating charming shapes like stars, snowflakes, trees, or gingerbread figures.
10. Arrange cut-out cookies on prepared baking sheets, maintaining approximately 2 inches of space between each shape.
11. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, watching carefully until edges turn a delicate golden hue.
12. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets briefly before transferring to wire racks for complete cooling.
13. Once cooled, embellish cookies with royal icing or buttercream, adorning them with sprinkles, colored sugars, or edible glitter for a whimsical holiday presentation.

Notes

• Softened butter ensures smooth mixing and helps create a creamy, uniform cookie texture without lumps.
• Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing spread and maintaining sharp cookie cutter shapes during baking.
• Use room temperature ingredients to help ingredients blend seamlessly and create a consistent dough structure.
• For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain similar texture and consistency.
• Add festive flavors like orange zest or peppermint extract to customize the cookie’s taste profile without changing core recipe.
• Avoid overworking the dough to prevent tough cookies; mix just until ingredients are combined for tender, delicate results.
• Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze decorated cookies for extended freshness.
• Use powdered sugar instead of granulated when rolling out dough to prevent tough cookie surfaces and add subtle sweetness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg