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If you are dreaming of soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that feel like a cloud of sweetness with every bite, the White Velvet Sugar Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These cookies are a delicate balance of tender crumb and subtle vanilla richness, dusted tenderly with powdered sugar to give you that perfect, velvety finish. Whether for a holiday gathering, afternoon tea, or just to satisfy a sweet craving, this recipe promises to deliver buttery, fluffy cookies that feel as luxurious as they taste. Get ready to fall in love with a classic treat reinvented with a silky smooth, white velvet texture that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating these dreamy White Velvet Sugar Cookies is simpler than you might think! Each ingredient plays a vital role in building the cookie’s delicate texture, subtle flavor, and snowy appearance. From the buttery goodness to the leavening agents, every component is a small but crucial piece of this delicious puzzle.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy base giving these cookies their structure while keeping them tender.
- Baking powder: Adds lift and a light, airy crumb that’s essential for the velvet texture.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and brown just perfectly on the edges.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors beautifully.
- Unsalted butter, softened: The star ingredient that delivers rich flavor and a tender bite.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and aids in the cookie’s subtle crisp edges.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients while contributing to the soft, moist texture.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the dough with warm, fragrant notes for that classic sugar cookie flavor.
- Sour cream: A secret ingredient bringing moisture, tang, and softness to each cookie.
- Powdered sugar: For rolling, giving the cookies a delicate, snowy coating that melts in your mouth.
How to Make White Velvet Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking. While that warms up, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. This step ensures your leavening and seasoning are evenly distributed throughout the dough, creating a consistent texture and taste.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a separate bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process is crucial because beating air into the butter and sugar gives the cookies their tender, velvety lift and delicate crumb. Be patient and enjoy the sweet, creamy aroma developing!
Step 3: Incorporate Wet Ingredients
Add the large egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream to your creamy butter and sugar mixture. Blend everything smoothly together. The sour cream adds a subtle tang and extra moisture that makes these cookies incredibly soft and tender, setting them apart from your typical sugar cookie.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until everything is combined. Overmixing here can toughen the dough, so keep it gentle! This step results in a cohesive dough that’s soft and easy to work with but holds its shape nicely when baked.
Step 5: Shape and Sugar-Coat the Dough
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and coat each ball generously in powdered sugar. This coating not only brings a pretty, white appearance but also adds a delicate sweetness and subtle crispness to the outer layer of each cookie as it bakes.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Arrange your dough balls on the parchment-lined baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a light golden color, indicating a perfectly baked cookie with a soft center and tender edges. Once out of the oven, let them rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve White Velvet Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While the powdered sugar coating is beautiful and classic, feel free to sprinkle your finished cookies with extra powdered sugar for an elegant touch or add festive sprinkles to fit the occasion. A tiny drizzle of white chocolate or a sprinkle of edible glitter can elevate these cookies for special celebrations.
Side Dishes
Pair these soft, sweet cookies with a tall glass of cold milk, a steaming cup of coffee, or even a soothing herbal tea for an absolutely comforting treat. They also complement fresh fruit platters or light, creamy desserts perfectly when hosting.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking these sugar cookies with layers of homemade whipped cream and fresh berries for a quick dessert parfait. Alternatively, arrange them on a pretty platter with seasonal decorations to brighten up your dessert table, or gift them in decorative tins wrapped with ribbons for a thoughtful, homemade present.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your White Velvet Sugar Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to a week, making them perfect for prepping in advance or enjoying over several days.
Freezing
If you want to make a big batch and save some for later, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed freezer bag or container. When kept frozen, they maintain their texture and flavor for up to three months. Just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
To enjoy warm cookies anytime, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. This warms the cookies gently, reviving their soft, velvety texture, as if they were freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I substitute sour cream with something else?
Yes! You can replace sour cream with full-fat Greek yogurt or buttermilk in equal amounts. Both options provide moisture and tang similar to sour cream, maintaining the cookie’s signature tenderness.
Why do these cookies have powdered sugar on them?
The powdered sugar coating adds a sweet, delicate outer layer that contributes to the cookie’s signature white velvet look and provides a slightly crisp exterior that beautifully contrasts with the soft interior.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
While unsalted butter is recommended to control the saltiness, salted butter can be used in a pinch—just skip adding any extra salt to the dough to keep the balance just right.
How thick should I make the cookie dough balls?
Rolling the dough into roughly 1-inch balls is perfect for even baking that results in soft, fluffy cookies with a tender crumb and slightly crisp edges.
Will these cookies spread a lot during baking?
These cookies spread just a little, thanks to the balance of flour and leavening agents. Spacing them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet gives them room to expand without sticking together.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the joy of biting into a soft, buttery cookie dusted with a cloud of powdered sugar, and this White Velvet Sugar Cookies Recipe delivers that happiness in every bite. Their delicate texture and subtle vanilla sweetness make them a treasured treat to share or keep all to yourself. I promise, once you try this recipe, it will become your go-to for celebrations or simple everyday indulgences. So roll up your sleeves, gather the ingredients, and let these little clouds of yum brighten your kitchen and your day!
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Print
White Velvet Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These White Velvet Sugar Cookies are soft, tender, and lightly sweetened with a rich buttery flavor. Rolled in powdered sugar before baking, they develop a beautiful crackled surface and melt-in-your-mouth texture, perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you want a classic, elegant cookie.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Coating
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to distribute the leavening agents evenly throughout the flour.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light in color and fluffy in texture, which incorporates air for a tender cookie.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream to the butter and sugar mixture and beat until the batter is smooth and well combined, ensuring moisture and flavor throughout.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough which can make cookies tough.
- Shape and Coat Cookies: Roll the cookie dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in the powdered sugar to coat evenly, creating a signature crackled surface once baked.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cookie edges turn lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked yet soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Decoration: Once cooled, optionally sprinkle additional powdered sugar or festive sprinkles to add an extra touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
Notes
- Be careful not to overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to maintain a soft, tender texture.
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
- Using parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat helps with even baking and easy cleanup.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For a dairy-free variation, substitute sour cream with a vegan alternative or yogurt.
