Divine Summer Sugar Cookies Recipe: Sweet Sunshine Bites

Sweet summer afternoons call for delightful homemade summer sugar cookies that melt in your mouth with pure buttery bliss.

These golden-edged treats bring sunshine to every bite with their delicate, crisp texture.

Perfectly balanced between soft and crisp, each cookie carries the essence of warm afternoons and childhood memories.

Bakers love how simple ingredients create such remarkable results in this classic dessert.

Vanilla and butter dance together, creating a symphony of flavor that makes these cookies irresistible.

Fresh from the oven, these cookies promise to delight everyone who takes a sweet, sugary bite.

Gather your ingredients and let the baking magic begin.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 25

Summer Sugar Cookies with Sour Cream – What You’ll Need

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and creates tender cookie texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps cookies achieve golden crisp edges.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and adds structure to the dough.
• Sour Cream: Creates extra moisture and delivers subtle tangy undertone.

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundational ingredient that gives cookies their classic structure.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and creates soft, light texture.
• Baking Soda: Neutralizes acidic ingredients and promotes even browning.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances sweetness.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, comforting aromatic essence to cookies.
• Almond Extract: Optional ingredient that introduces delicate nutty undertone.
• Sprinkles or Frosting: Optional decorative elements for visual appeal and extra sweetness.

Baking Tools for Light and Soft Summer Sugar Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, mixing wet ingredients.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar smoothly and mix ingredients quickly.
• Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients evenly without lumps.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for ingredients.
• Rolling pin: Helps roll out cookie dough to even thickness.
• Cookie cutters: Allows creating fun summer-themed shapes.
• Baking sheets: Flat surfaces for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Cooling rack: Helps cookies cool down without getting soggy on the bottom.

How to Bake Sour Cream Sugar Cookies with Ease

• Whip Up the Base

Grab a big mixing bowl and blend butter and sugar until they transform into a cloud-like, airy mixture that looks like sweet, fluffy happiness.

• Introduce Moisture and Flavor

Crack eggs one by one into the bowl, stirring smoothly between each addition. Pour in sour cream and splash of vanilla to create a luscious, creamy foundation.

• Create Your Dry Magic

In another bowl, gently combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt, whisking them into a light, powdery blend.

• Merge Wet and Dry Worlds

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until everything comes together into a soft, cohesive dough.

• Chill and Prepare

Wrap your dough in plastic and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour. When ready, heat the oven to 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

• Shape Your Cookies

Dust your workspace with flour and roll out the dough to a quarter-inch thickness. Use fun cookie cutters to create summer-inspired shapes.

• Bake to Perfection

Place cookies on prepared sheets and bake 8-10 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden color. Let them cool completely before decorating.

Decorating Tips and Swaps for Different Occasions

• Chill the dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape during baking.
• Use full-fat sour cream for extra moisture and a tender, soft cookie that melts in your mouth.
• Swap wheat flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies celiac-friendly without losing flavor.
• Experiment with different extracts like orange, lemon, or coconut to create unique summer-inspired cookie variations that surprise your taste buds.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to keep them fresh for up to 5 days, maintaining their delightful softness.

Serve Sugar Cookies at Picnics or Pool Parties

• Sweet Summertime Party Platter: Arrange cookies on a colorful ceramic tray with fresh mint leaves and lemon slices for a bright, festive display.
• Picnic Perfect Dessert Box: Pack cookies in a cute mason jar or vintage tin with parchment paper between layers, ideal for outdoor gatherings and beach trips.
• Refreshing Beverage Pairing: Serve alongside chilled lavender lemonade or iced peach tea to complement the cookies' delicate sweetness and enhance summer vibes.
• Kids' Cookie Decorating Station: Set up a fun area with different colored frostings, sprinkles, and edible glitter so children can personalize their summer sugar cookies with creative designs.

Keep Cookies Fresh After Baking and Frosting

• Store unbaked cookie dough in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3 days, preventing unwanted bacterial growth and maintaining optimal texture.
• Wrap raw dough tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months, allowing spontaneous baking whenever cookie cravings strike.
• Keep frosted summer sugar cookies in a single layered container with wax paper between each row. Refrigerate to extend freshness for 5-7 days, protecting delicate decorations from smudging.
• Allow completely cooled cookies to rest in a sealed container at ambient temperature. Place a small piece of bread inside to maintain softness and prevent potential crumbling, keeping cookies delightfully tender for 4-5 days.

Heavenly Summer Sugar Cookies

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4.5 from 9 reviews

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

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Description

Delightful summer sugar cookies merge creamy richness with sweet simplicity, offering a perfect seasonal treat. Sour cream creates tender, melt-in-your-mouth magic you’ll savor down to the last delectable crumb.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
• 4 ½ cups (540 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
• Buttercream frosting or royal icing (optional)
• Sprinkles, colored sugar, or edible glitter (optional)

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Instructions

1. Creaming: Thoroughly blend butter and sugar until achieving a light, airy consistency in a spacious mixing bowl.
2. Liquid Integration: Incorporate eggs one by one, ensuring thorough mixing after each addition. Fold in sour cream, vanilla, and optional almond extract until uniformly combined.
3. Dry Ingredient Preparation: In a separate vessel, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to create a uniform dry mixture.
4. Dough Formation: Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough emerges. Wrap dough in plastic film and refrigerate for minimum 1 hour to enhance flavor development and texture.
5. Oven Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
6. Shaping: On a generously floured surface, roll dough to approximately 1/4 inch thickness. Utilize cookie cutters to create desired summer-themed shapes.
7. Baking Process: Arrange shaped cookies on prepared sheets, then bake for 8-10 minutes until edges display a delicate golden hue. Allow cookies to cool completely before embellishing with frosting or festive sprinkles.

Notes

• Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and ensure crisp, defined cookie shapes during baking.
• Dust work surface lightly with flour to prevent sticking without making cookies dry or tough.
• Check cookies at 8 minutes; golden edges indicate perfect doneness without over-browning.
• Experiment with different flavor extracts like lemon or orange to create unique summer-inspired cookie variations.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg