Festive Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies Recipe

Jolly Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies Recipe for All

Soft, buttery sugar cookies sparkle with holiday cheer and festive sour cream cut-out Christmas cookies magic.

The classic recipe brings sweet memories of childhood baking adventures.

Delicate and tender, these cookies melt in your mouth with rich, creamy goodness.

Decorated sugar cookies become the star of any holiday gathering.

Each bite carries the warmth of traditional family recipes passed down through generations.

Sprinkles and colorful royal icing transform simple dough into edible works of art.

Join the celebration and create a delicious holiday tradition that will delight everyone around the table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 25

Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies: Ingredients Breakdown

For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and base for classic Christmas cookie texture.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and creates soft, tender crumb.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Creates rich, smooth flavor and contributes to tender cookie texture.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps cookies achieve golden brown edges.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structure to cookie dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Delivers warm, aromatic flavor that complements holiday baking.
  • Sour Cream: Adds moisture, tenderness, and subtle tangy complexity to cookies.
For Decorating:
  • Royal Icing: Creates smooth, hard-setting surface for festive designs.
  • Sprinkles: Adds colorful, playful decoration to Christmas cookies.
  • Colored Sugar: Provides sparkly, festive embellishment.
  • Edible Glitter: Createsal, shimmering holiday effect on cookie surfaces.

Must-Have Tools for Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies

  • Electric mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar smoothly and mixing ingredients quickly.
  • Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and preparing flour mixture.
  • Large mixing bowl: Needed for mixing wet ingredients and creating cookie dough.
  • Whisk: Great for evenly mixing flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Rolling pin: Crucial for rolling out dough to consistent thickness.
  • Cookie cutters: Necessary for creating festive Christmas-shaped cookies.
  • Parchment paper or silicone baking mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.
  • Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
  • Plastic wrap: Used for wrapping and chilling dough.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Important for accurate ingredient measurements.

How to Make Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies

  • Createal Cookie Base

Whisk dry ingredients together in a bowl. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy using an electric mixer. Blend in egg, vanilla, and sour cream until smooth. Gently fold in flour mixture to form soft dough.

  • Chill and Prepare

Divide dough into two portions and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for at least two hours to let flavors meld and dough firm up. Cold dough rolls out perfectly for crisp cookie shapes.

  • Shape Festive Treats

Heat oven to 350F. Dust work surface with flour. Roll out chilled dough to thin sheet. Grab your favorite holiday cookie cutters and press into dough. Transfer delicate shapes onto lined baking sheets with gentle care.

  • Bake Until Golden

Slide cookies into oven. Bake 8-10 minutes until edges turn light golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning. Let cookies rest on baking sheet briefly before moving to cooling rack.

  • Unleash Creative Decorating

Once completely cooled, transform plain cookies into winter wonderland masterpieces. Use royal icing or buttercream to add personality. Sprinkle with festive decorations like sparkly sugars or colorful sprinkles for extra.

Tips & Tricks for Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies

  • Wrap dough tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying out and absorbing refrigerator odors during the 2-hour chilling period.
  • Swap all-purpose flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities. Ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for better texture.
  • Experiment with different extracts like almond, peppermint, or orange to create unique flavor profiles. Add a hint of orange zest or crushed candy canes to the dough for an extra festive touch.
  • Cookie dough can be prepared and refrigerated up to 3 days in advance or frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling and baking for maximum convenience.
  • Use a piping bag with different tip sizes for precise icing designs. Allow base layer of icing to completely dry before adding detailed decorations to prevent colors from bleeding together.

Creative Ways to Serve Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies

  • Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange the decorated Christmas cookies on a beautiful serving tray with pine sprigs and candy canes for a stunning holiday display that will wow your guests.
  • Cookie Exchange: Pack these sour cream cut-out cookies in cute holiday-themed gift boxes or clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons, perfect for cookie swap parties or gifting to neighbors and friends.
  • Cocoa Pairing Perfection: Serve these delicate Christmas cookies alongside warm hot chocolate, creating a cozy winter treat that brings comfort and joy to family and friend gatherings. The soft texture of the cookies complements the rich, creamy cocoa beautifully.
  • Dessert Table Centerpiece: Create a charming holiday dessert station featuring these beautifully decorated cookies as the star attraction, mixing different shapes and festive designs to create an eye-catching and delicious display that celebrates the spirit of Christmas.

Storing & Planning for Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies

  • Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered between parchment paper to prevent sticking. Fresh batch stays delicious for 5-7 days.
  • Wrap undecorated cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze up to 3 months for quick holiday treats anytime. Thaw at room temperature before decorating.
  • Make cookie dough ahead and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze raw dough for 1 month. Wrap tightly in plastic to maintain quality and prevent freezer burn.
  • Store decorated cookies separately from undecorated ones. Place royal icing-covered cookies in single layers to maintain delicate designs. Use wax paper between layers to protect intricate frosting details.

FAQs

  • Why use sour cream in Christmas cookie recipe?

Sour cream adds moisture and richness to the cookies, creating a softer texture and tangy flavor that makes these cookies more tender and delicious compared to traditional sugar cookies.

  • Can I use low-fat or non-fat sour cream?

Regular full-fat sour cream works best for this recipe. Low-fat or non-fat versions might change the texture and richness of the cookies, potentially making them less tender and flavorful.

  • How thin should I roll the cookie dough?

Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. This ensures that the cookies bake evenly and maintain a delicate, crisp edge while staying soft in the center.

  • Is it necessary to chill the dough?

Yes, chilling the dough for at least 2 hours is crucial. It helps prevent the cookies from spreading during baking and makes the dough easier to handle when rolling and cutting out shapes.

Print
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Festive Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies Recipe

Festive Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies Recipe


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4.5 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

Delightful Sour Cream Cut-Out Christmas Cookies offer festive charm with delicate spice notes and tender texture. Holiday bakers can create sweet memories while crafting these classic seasonal treats that connect generations through cherished family traditions.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ½ cups (840 ml) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar
  • 23 tbsps meringue powder
  • 46 tbsps (690 ml) water (adjust for consistency)
  • Food coloring (optional)
  • Holiday sprinkles
  • Colored sugars
  • Edible glitter

Instructions

  1. Dry Mixture Preparation: Blend flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry foundation for the cookie dough.
  2. Butter Transformation: Utilize an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale, developing a rich base texture.
  3. Wet Ingredient Integration: Smoothly combine egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream into the butter mixture, ensuring a cohesive and smooth consistency.
  4. Dough Formation: Gently incorporate dry ingredients into wet components, mixing until a soft, malleable dough materializes without overmixing.
  5. Chilling Process: Partition dough into two equal segments, individually wrap in plastic film, and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to enhance flavor and texture.
  6. Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for optimal cookie release.
  7. Dough Rolling and Cutting: On a flour-dusted surface, roll out chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness, then press festive cookie cutters to create holiday-themed shapes like stars, snowflakes, and trees.
  8. Baking Technique: Arrange cut cookies on prepared sheets with 2-inch spacing, then bake for 8-10 minutes until edges develop a delicate golden appearance.
  9. Cooling and Decorating: Transfer baked cookies to wire racks for complete cooling, then embellish with royal icing, buttercream, sprinkles, colored sugars, or edible glitter for a festive presentation.

Notes

Prevent Dough Stickiness: Dust your work surface and rolling pin with flour to avoid the dough adhering and tearing during rolling, ensuring smooth, clean cookie shapes.

Chill for Perfection: Extended refrigeration helps the dough develop better flavor and prevents spreading, creating crisp, well-defined cookie edges during baking.

Consistent Thickness Matters: Use rolling pin guides or wooden dowels to maintain an even 14-inch thickness, guaranteeing uniform baking and professional-looking cookies.

Decoration Pro Tip: Let cookies cool completely before decorating to prevent icing from melting and ensure intricate designs hold their shape beautifully.

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

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
John Nicholson

John Nicholson

Lead Writer & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.

John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.

His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.

Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen

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