Creamy Cut-Out Cookies Recipe

Dreamy Creamy Cut-Out Cookies Recipe: Whip Up Joy Today

Sweet moments often begin with a classic creamy cut-out cookies recipe that melts hearts and creates lasting memories.

Soft, buttery, and delightfully delicate, these cookies are a baker’s dream come true.

Each carefully crafted bite promises pure comfort and nostalgia.

The smooth dough rolls out effortlessly, waiting to be shaped into festive designs that sparkle with joy.

Decorative icing adds a personal touch that turns simple cookies into edible art.

You’ll love how these treats bring smiles and warmth to any gathering.

Bake a batch and watch magic unfold in your kitchen.

Tips for Soft, Cut-Out Cookies

  • Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes during baking.
  • Dust your work surface lightly with flour to prevent sticking without making cookies dry or tough.
  • Keep butter and sour cream at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
  • Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined to avoid developing tough gluten.
  • Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent buttercream from melting and sliding off.
  • Gluten-Free Variation: Replace wheat flour with a gluten-free blend made from rice, almond, or coconut flour for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegan Cookie Swap: Substitute butter with coconut oil, replace egg with a flax egg, and use dairy-free sour cream alternative like cashew cream.
  • Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of regular sugar, reducing overall calorie content while maintaining cookie texture.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap sour cream with Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt, and use margarine or plant-based butter for a lactose-free version.

Ways to Serve Sour Cream Cookies

  • Festive Cookie Decoration Station: Create a fun DIY frosting bar with various colored frostings, sprinkles, edible glitter, and small candies for personalized cookie designs.
  • Holiday Gift Packaging: Stack cookies between parchment paper, wrap in clear cellophane, tie with a festive ribbon, and attach a handwritten recipe card for a charming homemade gift.
  • Cookie Platter Presentation: Arrange cookies on a rustic wooden board, dust with powdered sugar, add fresh mint leaves, and scatter colorful seasonal berries for an elegant dessert display.
  • Tea Party Pairing: Serve these delicate cookies alongside chamomile or Earl Grey tea, creating a sophisticated afternoon treat perfect for catching up with friends.

Keeping Sour Cream Cookies Tender

  • Store unfrosted cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap raw cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before rolling and baking.
  • Pack completely cooled, unfrosted cookies in freezer-safe containers with parchment between layers, lasting up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.
  • Warm refrigerated cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or restore crispness by placing in a 300F oven for 3-5 minutes.

FAQs

  • Why do I need to chill the dough before rolling it out?

Chilling helps prevent spreading and maintains the cookie’s shape during baking. Cold dough is firmer and easier to handle, ensuring clean cuts and precise edges.

  • Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and cutting.

  • How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for light golden edges while keeping the tops pale. They should look set but not browned. The cookies will continue to firm up after removing from the oven.

Sour Cream Cut-Out Cookies: Baking Joys

  • Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, these cookies require simple techniques that anyone can master with minimal baking experience.
  • Ideal for holidays, birthdays, or special gatherings where personalized cut-out cookies can add a special touch to your dessert spread.
  • Engaging recipe that invites kids and adults to participate together, from cutting shapes to decorating with colorful frostings and sprinkles.
  • Soft, tender cookies with a delicate nutmeg hint offer a nostalgic flavor that appeals to both children and adults, making them a universally loved dessert option.
Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The primary dry ingredient that provides structure for the soft and tender cookies.
  • Butter: Creates a rich and creamy base that contributes to the cookie's smooth texture and delicious flavor.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden-brown color during baking.
  • Sour Cream: Provides moisture and a subtle tangy flavor that makes the cookies extra tender.
  • Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds richness to the cookie dough.
Leavening Agents:
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Help the cookies rise and create a light, soft texture.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Salt, Nutmeg: Add depth and warmth to the overall flavor profile of the cookies.
Optional Finishing Ingredients:
  • Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Provide additional aromatic flavor for the buttercream frosting.
  • Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar to light, fluffy perfection.
  • Large Mixing Bowls: Perfect for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients evenly without lumps.
  • Rolling Pin: Helps roll dough to an even 1/4 inch thickness.
  • Cookie Cutters: Lets you create fun shapes for festive cookies.
  • Baking Sheets: Provides flat surface for baking crisp, golden cookies.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly without getting soggy.
  • Spatula: Helpful for mixing and scraping bowl sides.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient measurements.

How to Make Sour Cream Cut-Out Cookies

Step 1: Mixing Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and a touch of nutmeg until everything is perfectly blended.

Step 2: Creaming Butter And Sugar

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks like a cloud of sweetness.

Step 3: Incorporating Wet Components

Crack an egg into the butter mixture and beat thoroughly.

Then gently fold in the sour cream, creating a smooth and creamy base.

Step 4: Blending Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring carefully until just combined.

Don’t overmix – you want a tender cookie.

Step 5: Chilling The Dough

Pop the dough into the refrigerator for at least an hour.

This helps the cookies keep their shape and enhances the flavors.

Step 6: Rolling Out The Dough

Dust your work surface with flour and roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.

Aim for an even, smooth surface.

Step 7: Cutting Cookie Shapes

Use fun cookie cutters to create delightful shapes.

Carefully transfer the cut cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each one.

Step 8: Baking To Perfection

Heat the oven to 375F (190C).

Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a light golden color.

The tops should remain pale and soft.

Step 9: Crafting Buttercream Frosting

Whip up a classic buttercream frosting, adding a splash of vanilla and optional almond extract for extra flavor.

Step 10: Decorating Cookies

Once the cookies have completely cooled, generously frost them with your prepared buttercream.

Let your creativity shine!

Print
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Creamy Cut-Out Cookies Recipe

Creamy Cut-Out Cookies Recipe


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4.9 from 24 reviews

  • Total Time: 42 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Classic creamy cut-out cookies invite bakers into a world of delicate sweetness and nostalgic charm. German baking traditions shine through this simple yet elegant dessert that provides joy with each carefully crafted bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups (280 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) sour cream

Optional Frosting:

  • Buttercream frosting (with vanilla and almond flavoring)

Instructions

  1. Blend flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and nutmeg thoroughly in a medium mixing bowl using a whisk.
  2. Utilize an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar until the mixture achieves a pale, airy consistency with soft peaks.
  3. Incorporate egg into the butter mixture, then gently fold in sour cream until smooth and well-integrated.
  4. Gradually introduce dry ingredient mixture into wet ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing and maintain tender cookie texture.
  5. Transfer dough to refrigerator and allow to chill for 60-90 minutes, which helps prevent spreading and maintains precise cookie shapes.
  6. Dust work surface generously with flour, then roll chilled dough to approximately 1/4 inch uniform thickness using gentle, even pressure.
  7. Select decorative cookie cutters and press firmly into rolled dough, positioning shapes closely to maximize dough usage.
  8. Transfer cut cookies onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them approximately 1 inch apart to prevent merging during baking.
  9. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake cookies for 10-12 minutes, watching for delicate golden edges while maintaining a pale, soft center.
  10. After complete cooling, prepare buttercream frosting with optional vanilla and almond extracts, then carefully decorate cookies with smooth, even strokes.

Notes

  • Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes during baking.
  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth, even mixing and consistent texture.
  • Minimize handling of dough to keep cookies tender and prevent tough, dense results.
  • Experiment with different extracts like lemon or orange to create unique flavor variations that complement the sour cream’s tangy profile.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Marcus Reed

Marcus Reed

Founder & Food Content Creator

Expertise

Single-recipe development, Seasonal and local ingredient utilization, Food photography and styling, Culinary writing and content creation​

Education

Culinary Arts Certificate, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, WV
Focus: Fundamentals of culinary techniques, emphasizing hands-on experience in small-scale kitchen settings.


Marcus’s story begins in Asheville, where good food and family kitchens shaped his earliest memories. After hands-on culinary training and a lot of trial (and a little error), he realized that real cooking isn’t about perfection, it’s about connection.
At Pan and Oven, Marcus crafts recipes that are easy to follow, packed with flavor, and built for real kitchens.

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