Our Favorite Soft Sugar Cookies

Two more sleeps, friends! Who’s excited? I am sad the season is coming to an end…It sure went by so fast!

If you are still in a holiday baking mode, I am sharing our favorite Soft Sugar Cookie recipe. These cookies are addictive. They will melt in your mouth! Bake a batch to enjoy at home with your family or to give to friends or neighbors as homemade holiday gifts. Promise they will love them!

My husband and I love to bake cookies every Christmas with our little ones. Yes, it takes longer. Yes, it can get messy but just seeing the excitement on their faces, it makes all worthwhile.

Here’s the recipe:

Adapted from Life Made Sweeter

Melt in the mouth Soft Sugar Cookies

For the cookies:

1/2 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cups sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the frosting:

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2-1/2-3 cups powdered sugar
pinch salt
3-4 tablespoons heavy cream
food coloring
sprinkles

Make the cookies:

Using your mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until nice and fluffy. Add egg and beat until incorporated. Reduce speed to low and add sour cream and vanilla and beat, until well combined, scraping down the bowl with a silicone spatula.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Turn the mixer on low and slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Using a tablespoon, scoop cookie dough onto the baking pan (spacing about 2 inches apart).
Bake on middle rack for 9-13 minutes or until the cookies are just starting to turn golden (NOT brown) on the edges (switching and rotating baking sheets about halfway through). Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on the sheet. Cookies will continue to cook while they cool. Repeat with any remaining dough.

Make the frosting:

Cream butter (and shortening if using) in a stand mixer or using your hand mixer for 3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add salt, vanilla then slowly add 2 cups of powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Add heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time then add the remainder of powdered sugar until desired consistency and taste is reached (you may not need it all) and continue to beat until smooth.
Once cookies have cooled completely, frost and add sprinkles, if desired. Allow frosting to set, then store in an air-tight container.