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
- Blend flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, and nutmeg thoroughly in a medium mixing bowl using a whisk.
- Utilize an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar until the mixture achieves a pale, airy consistency with soft peaks.
- Incorporate egg into the butter mixture, then gently fold in sour cream until smooth and well-integrated.
- Gradually introduce dry ingredient mixture into wet ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing and maintain tender cookie texture.
- Transfer dough to refrigerator and allow to chill for 60-90 minutes, which helps prevent spreading and maintains precise cookie shapes.
- Dust work surface generously with flour, then roll chilled dough to approximately 1/4 inch uniform thickness using gentle, even pressure.
- Select decorative cookie cutters and press firmly into rolled dough, positioning shapes closely to maximize dough usage.
- Transfer cut cookies onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them approximately 1 inch apart to prevent merging during baking.
- 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.
- 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