Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond flavoring
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
Frosting
- ½ cup butter, cool but not cold (set out for about 30 minutes)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream (add more if needed for consistency)
- Food coloring or gel (optional)
- Sprinkles or candy for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to cream together ½ cup butter and 1 cup sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add Flavorings and Leavening Agents: Mix in the vanilla extract, almond flavoring, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Then stir in the sour cream until fully incorporated.
- Incorporate Eggs and Flour: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully blended before adding the next. Gradually add the flour and mix until a dough forms into a cohesive ball.
- Refrigerate Dough: Wrap the dough and refrigerate it for at least one hour or overnight. This helps the dough to firm up, making it easier to roll out.
- Preheat Oven and Roll Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Cut Cookies: Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into desired shapes.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the cutouts on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn golden. Avoid overbaking to keep cookies soft.
- Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and vanilla extract with a mixer until smooth.
- Add Powdered Sugar and Cream: Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue beating until smooth. Add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until desired frosting consistency is achieved.
- Color Frosting: Stir in any food coloring or gel if you want tinted frosting.
- Decorate Cookies: Once cookies have completely cooled, frost them generously and add sprinkles or candy garnish as desired.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider substituting almond extract with lemon or another extract you prefer.
- Do not overbake the cookies to preserve their soft, tender texture.
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent spreading and to make rolling easier.
- Use gel-based food coloring for a more vibrant frosting color without thinning the frosting.
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian