Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 cup butter (8 ounces, 16 tablespoons), softened
- 3/4 cup neutral-flavored oil (canola, vegetable, grapeseed, etc)
- 1 1/4 cups (9.25 ounces) granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup (3 ounces) powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (see note)
- 5 1/2 cups (27.5 ounces) all-purpose flour (I use unbleached)
- Granulated sugar for pressing the cookies
Frosting:
- 3/4 cup (6 ounces, 12 tablespoons) butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups (24 ounces) powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons cream or milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (or 325 degrees F for convection bake) and line several half sheet pans with parchment paper.
- In
the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a
bowl using a handheld electric mixer), add the butter, oil, granulated
sugar and powdered sugar. Sprinkle the baking soda, cream of tartar, and
salt across the top of the sugars (don't add the baking soda and cream
of tartar in one lump or it might clump while mixing). Mix until
well-combined and super creamy, 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of
the bowl as needed.
- Add the sour cream, eggs and vanilla and mix
until well-combined, 1-2 minutes, again scraping down the sides of the
bowl as needed.
- Add the flour and mix until no dry streaks remain and the mixture is evenly combined; don't overmix.
- Scoop
the dough into about 3-tablespoon sized portions (I use a #20 cookie
scoop) and roll into balls. Place several inches apart on the prepared
baking sheets. Add about 1/2 cup granulated sugar to a shallow dish or
bowl. Lightly spray the bottom of a flat-bottomed glass with cooking
spray and dip the bottom of the glass into the sugar. Press each cookie
into an even thickness dipping the bottom of the glass into the sugar
between each press (no need to spray it again with cooking spray after
the first time). The edges of the cookie will ruffle out a bit. It's
really up to you how thick or thin to press the cookies. I like them
between 1/4- and 1/2-inch thick.
- Bake the cookies for 10-12
minutes until just set. Try not to let them get golden on the edges or
very much on the bottom - that means they've baked too long and they may
be dry and crumbly instead of creamy and soft.
- Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets before removing to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- For
the frosting, in a medium bowl (can use a handheld or stand mixer)
combine the butter, sour cream and vanilla. Mix until thick and smooth
and creamy, 1-2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and cream (or milk) and
mix until well-combined and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl
as needed. Add additional cream, if needed, to adjust the consistency of
the frosting so it is thick but still soft and spreadable.
- Frost the cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles, if desired.
Notes
Vanilla Flavor:
I've also used vanilla butter emulsion in place of the vanilla extract
(in both the cookies and frosting) for a super yummy, buttery vanilla
flavor.
Overflouring: be careful not to overflour
the dough or the cookies might be dry instead of soft after baking. If
you don't weigh your ingredients, make sure to fluff the flour in the
container before scooping in the measuring cup and leveling (don't pack
or shake the flour into the cup!).