Classic Secret Ingredient Sugar Cookies
These classic sugar cookies feature a secret ingredient for extra tenderness. Perfect for decorating, they are a delightful treat for any occasion.
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Electric mixer
- Medium bowl
- Whisk
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter softened
- 1.5 cups Granulated Sugar
- 1 Large Egg
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- ½ cup sour cream or cream cheese softened
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, which takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Add the softened sour cream or cream cheese and beat until fully incorporated and smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients on low speed, mixing just until combined.
- Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to ¼ inch thickness and cut out shapes.
- Transfer cookies to prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Notes
The secret ingredient, sour cream or cream cheese, adds a subtle tang and makes these cookies incredibly tender. Be sure not to overmix the dough to avoid tough cookies. Chilling the dough is essential for easy handling and to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking. These cookies are perfect for decorating for any holiday or occasion.