Easy Old Fashioned Sour Cream Cookies Recipe

Sour cream cookies are soft and fluffy drop cookies that are probably the easiest, most delicious cookies you’ll ever make! You can whip up a batch of these cake-like cookies in no time, and they’ll disappear just as quickly!

white plate of sour cream cookies

My family has been making these cookies my entire life. It’s my grandma’s recipe, and these are the cookies I look forward to the most every holiday season! I have many fond memories
 of baking and enjoying these cookies (and my family loves them as much as I do).

Of course, I love Hot Cocoa Cookies and Holiday Fruitcake Cookies, and even Eggnog Cookies!

Everyone has their favorite type of holiday cookie. whether you love crinkle cookies, shortbread cookies, oatmeal cookies, peanut butter cookies, or chocolate chip cookies, there’s something for everyone!

But there’s just something special about these old fashioned sour cream cookies. They’re my favorite cookies any time of the year!

Here’s what you’ll love about them:

  • Super easy to make (probably our easiest Christmas cookie recipe!)
  • Cake-like texture
  • Soft and tender crumb (thanks to the sour cream)
  • Delicate flavor with the perfect balance of sweetness and a hint of nutmeg that stands alone or pairs well with any other desserts
  • Make a great addition to your cookie plate or holiday cookie exchange!

These tender cookies only require a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Butter
  • Brown sugar
  • Sour cream – I recommend using full-fat sour cream
  • Egg
  • Flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Nutmeg
  • Nuts or raisins

Helpful Kitchen Tools

NOTE: For full recipe details, please check out the handy recipe card at the bottom of the post!

ingredients for sour cream cookies

How To Make Sour Cream Cookies

These old-fashioned sour cream cookies are insanely easy to make! Just follow these simple steps, and these simple cookies will be ready in practically no time!

Step 1 – Cream Wet Ingredients

Cream butter, sugar, and sour cream in a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment).

butter and sugar in a mixing bowl

Step 2 – Add Egg

Stir in beaten egg. 

adding egg to mixture

Step 3 – Mix Dry Ingredients

Combine the dry ingredients and stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture.  

Step 4 – Bake Sour Cream Cookies

Drop the cookie dough by teaspoonful onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.  Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

Sour cream drop cookies are ready when they start to turn golden brown on the bottom and around the edges.

sour cream cookies on a white plate

Sour Cream Cookies Notes And Expert Tips

  • We usually make half a batch plain (without nuts or raisins) and half a batch with nuts and raisins. They’re both great!
  • These are small cookies. If you don’t feel comfortable dropping them onto the cookie sheet by the teaspoonful, use a small cookie scoop to help make the cookies the same size.
  • If you plan to add icing to these cookies, make sure your cookies are completely cooled before frosting them.

Variations Of Sour Cream Cookies To Try

  • Decorate them! These cookies are delicious on their own, but it’s fun to decorate them with colorful icing and switch things up for different occasions like Easter, 4th of July, or Christmas.
  • Add sprinkles! If you want to add a little color, add some sprinkles to the dough or on top of the cookies before baking.
  • Change up the flavors! If you want to change things up, add a little citrus flavor to the dough with some lemon or orange zest. You could also add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract for a deeper flavor.
  • Add chocolate chips! If you want a touch of chocolate, adding some mini chocolate chips will take these cookies over the top!

Sour Cream Cookies Storage Info

Leftovers

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days. Be aware that they will start to harden just a little after about 4 or 5 days.

Prepare In Advance

    These cookies are easy to prepare in advance! Just make the dough and store it in the fridge until you are ready to use it.

    Freezing Instructions

    These cookies freeze well for up to 3 months. I strongly recommend freezing them before frosting them to make them easier to store. 

    If you love these Christmas cookies, check out these other cookie recipes!

    Pin For Later!

    Pinterest pin featuring two images. The top image shows baked sour cream cookies with a bite taken out of the top one. The bottom image shows a plate of sour cream cookies. In the middle are the words: "Sour Cream Cookies: old-fashioned cake-like treat!" and the website "madeinapinch.com."
    close up of sour cream cookies

    Sour Cream Cookies

    Yield: 2 dozen cookies
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes

    Sour cream cookies are soft and fluffy drop cookies that are probably the easiest, most delicious cookies you'll ever make! You can whip up a batch in no time and they'll disappear just as quickly!

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup Butter
    • 1 cup Brown sugar
    • 1/2 cup Sour cream
    • 1 Egg
    • 2 cup Flour
    • 1/4 tsp Baking soda
    • 1/4 tsp Salt
    • 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
    • 1/2 cup Nuts or raisins (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Cream butter, sugar, and sour cream.
    2. Stir in beaten egg. 
    3. Combine dry ingredients and stir into the creamed mixture. 
    4. Drop by teaspoonful onto a prepared cookie sheet. 
    5. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

    Notes

    **We usually make half a batch of plain cookies and half a batch with nuts and raisins.

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