Soft Sugar Cookies

These were very happily received as our FHE treat tonight. We all decorated our own cookies and the kids had tons of fun frosting and sprinkling away. I love this recipe because the cookies turn out so soft and yummy. Make sure to not roll out the cookies too thin, the thicker the better as far as softness.


Soft Sugar Cookies

1 stick of butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream
2 3/4 cups flour (+ 1/4 cup for high altitude)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

In the bowl of an electric mixer cream together butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until creamy. Mix in sour cream. In another bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the wet mixture and blend well. Roll out dough on floured surface (the thicker the cookie, the softer it is) and cut with cookie cutter. Place cookies on lightly greased cookie sheets and bake at 350 for 10 - 12 minutes (don't let them brown). Remove from oven and let rest for 2 minutes, then remove from cookie sheets and cool on wire racks. Let cool completely before frosting. Makes about 2 dozen cookies, depending on how big your cookie cutter is.

The frosting recipes below are all very nice. I used the fluffy buttercream frosting tonight and it was yum-o!


Classic Sugar Cookie Frosting:

6 tablespoons softened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar (may need a bit more)
red food coloring (to make the frosting pink)

Beat butter until creamy. Add vanilla and mix in. Gradually add the powdered sugar until frosting is smooth and creamy. Add a few drops of red food coloring and mix till frosting is evenly pink.


Fluffy Buttercream Frosting:

1 lb box powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk or cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 stick butter, softened
red food coloring

Beat with an electric mixer 2 minutes, scraping bowl often. For a thinner consistency add more milk or cream a little at a time. Mix in food coloring till frosting is evenly colored.


Cream Cheese Frosting:

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 - 1/2 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
powdered sugar (enough for desired thickness)
red food coloring

Beat together cream cheese and butter. Add milk and vanilla and powdered sugar a little at a time till frosting reaches desired consistency. Add red food coloring and mix until frosting is evenly colored.