The BEST Fluffy Sugar Cookies topped with a creamy buttercream frosting! With a super soft, cake-like texture, these cookies are bakery-level delicious. Decorate with festive sprinkles to customize to any holiday or occasion!
While there’s a time and place for a deliciously dense cut-out sugar cookie, sometimes I just crave a good ol’ bakery-style FLUFFY sugar cookie! Made with sour cream, these cookies are truly the softest sugar cookies ever. They’re basically like soft lofthouse cookies…but better! Big, soft, fluffy sugar cookies made at home? YES PLEASE.
Why I Love These Fluffy Sugar Cookies:
- Sour Cream In Dough: The sour cream in this dough makes the cookies super soft and cake-like. You can also use full-fat plain greek yogurt as a substitution.
- Not Too Sweet: The cookie itself is not overly sweet, so you definitely want to top it with the homemade buttercream to create the perfect balance!
- Easy to Make: No fancy cookie cutters needed! You can just cut these into circles (using a cup!) and spread the frosting on with a knife. Instead of rolling them out, you can also scoop these into 2-tablespoon sized balls and flatten before baking.
- Super Fluffy: Have I mentioned how thick, soft, and fluffy these are?
Important Recipe Notes:
- Properly Measure Flour: If you over-measure or pack in the flour, your cookies will be dry and more dense. To properly measure, spoon your flour into the measuring cup until it is overly full, then scrape the excess off with a knife.
- Dough Will Be Sticky: This dough is on the stickier side but you can add a little more flour while rolling out.
- Use Fresh Baking Soda: If your baking soda is over 6 months old and your cookies don’t end up puffy, you may need to replace your baking soda.
- Butter: While I always recommend using unsalted butter for baking, you can also use salted butter. I would avoid using margarine, as it will affect the taste and texture.
How to Make Fluffy Sugar Cookies (Step-by-step instructions)
Step 1: Make Sugar Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, cream together butter, sour cream, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar with an electric mixer for 1 minute. Add in vanilla extract, almond extract, and eggs, then stir on low speed until incorporated. Add in baking soda and continue to stir on low for 10 seconds. One cup at a time, slowly add in the flour and mix on low speed until flour is incorporated. Dough will be on the sticky side.
Step 2: Roll Dough
Form dough into a large ball and place on a flour-covered surface. The dough will be sticky, so you will likely need to sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of flour onto the dough to help knead.
Using a rolling pin, roll dough 3/8-1/2″ inch thick.
Tip: If you don’t have a rolling pin, you can also scoop the dough into 2 tablespoon-sized balls and flatten into a disc before baking. Just increase baking time 1-2 minutes, as cookies will puff up into more of a ball shape. Scroll further down the post to the “FAQ” section for a photo showing ideal thickness.
Step 3: Cut Sugar Cookie Dough
Using a 2.5″ inch diameter circle cookie cutter, cut out circles and place on a parchment-covered cookie sheet. If dough is sticking to your cookie cutter, dip the cookie cutter into flour between each cut.
Step 4: Bake & Cool
The cookies will most likely look slightly underdone after 8-9 minutes in the oven, and that’s okay. If you prefer a crunchier cookie, feel free to leave them in the oven for a few extra minutes until you start seeing the edges brown.
Bake at 350 degrees for 8-9 minutes. The trick to soft & fluffy sugar cookies is to allow the cookies to sit on the hot cookie sheet for 5-10 minutes after removing them from the oven. This allows them to finish baking, without getting the direct heat of the oven that typically causes browned edges.
Allow to cool completely before frosting.
Step 5: Make Frosting & Decorate
- In a large mixing bowl, add butter, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt. Cream together on medium speed for 30 seconds, or until blended together.
- On medium/low speed begin adding in powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time until all is incorporated. Turn mixer to high speed, and beat for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add food coloring, if desired (divide into different bowls for multiple colors).
- Spread on top of cooled sugar cookies or place frosting in a large piping bag with a large metal tip (Ateco 809) to get the signature swirl you see in these photos.
Storage Tips:
How long can fluffy sugar cookies sit out?
These fluffy sugar cookies will stay fresh for up to 3 days if covered tightly! I personally like to refrigerate these cookies, but you don’t have to. The sugar in the frosting allows them to stay stable at room temperature.
Can I freeze fluffy sugar cookies?
Yes, fluffy sugar cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months! I recommend frosting them separately once they are defrosted for the best appearance, but you can freeze them after frosting if you need.
You can make the dough ahead of time and freeze the dough. To do, flatten dough into a thick disc, wrap in plastic wrap, then place in airtight bag or container.
Frequently Asked Questions
How thick should you roll out sugar cookies?
I roll all my sugar cookies to 3/8″ thick and use an adjustable rolling pin to achieve uniform thickness. I’ve found this is the best thickness for achieving soft, thick sugar cookies (any thinner and your cookies will likely get crunchy).
If you don’t have a rolling pin, you can also scoop the dough into 2 tablespoon-sized balls and flatten into a disc before baking. Just increase baking time 1-2 minutes, as cookies will puff up into a ball shape. See photo below.
Can I use a different frosting recipe?
I highly recommend using my fluffy vanilla buttercream recipe to top this cookie! With all of it’s amazing ingredients, it creates the perfect fluffy texture and sweet balance for these fluffy sugar cookies!
I actually started this recipe using cream cheese frosting but didn’t find it sweet enough for this cookie. So I’d HIGHLY recommend using the buttercream for this; it truly creates the perfect balance!
Can this buttercream be piped?
Yes! Because these sugar cookies are so fluffy and soft, they’re the perfect candidate for decorative piping. If you plan to pipe something more elaborate, beat the frosting longer to create a fluffier texture.
The Ateco 809 is my favorite metal tip for getting the signature frosting swirl you see in the photos. For a fancier swirl, you can also use an Ateco #8 large star tip.
Why do you put sour cream in sugar cookies?
The sour cream in this sugar cookie dough keeps the cookies super fluffy and soft. You can also substitute the sour cream for full-fat plain greek yogurt.
Can I use greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes, full-fat plain greek yogurt works as substitution for sour cream.
Does baking soda or baking powder make things fluffy?
As a general rule, baking soda makes baked goods spread while baking powder makes them puff up. Baking soda is often used when a liquid is present in the dough or batter, while baking powder is for butter-based doughs. Because these fluffy sugar cookies use a liquid (sour cream), we are using baking soda to cause the signature rise.
Can I use this recipe for shaped cookies?
While you can cut out this dough into different shapes, just keep in mind that it will puff up and spread a bit. I recommend using it more for circle or heart-shaped cookies, where spreading doesn’t matter.
What is the difference between fluffy sugar cookies and lofthouse cookies?
Lofthouse cookies have a much thicker dough, while fluffy sugar cookie dough is super fluffy and soft. Lofthouse Cookies are also heavier in frosting with a lot more of it, whereas fluffy sugar cookies provide just enough frosting to complement the fluffy, cake-like texture of the cookie. But honestly, can you really go wrong with giant soft sugar cookies with buttercream frosting? I think not.
The BEST Fluffy Sugar Cookies
With a super soft, cake-like texture, these cookies are bakery-level delicious. Top with creamy buttercream and decorate with festive sprinkles to customize to any holiday or occasion! Makes 18-24 thick sugar cookies.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract*
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 cups all purpose flour
Buttercream Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1.5 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
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In a large bowl, cream together butter, vanilla extact, and almond extract for 1 minute.
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Mix in sour cream, eggs, and baking soda and mix until combined.
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One cup at a time, slowly add in the flour and mix on low speed until flour is incorporated. Dough will be on the sticky side.
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Form dough into a large ball and place on flour-covered surface. Knead dough for 1 minute until it forms a smooth, solid ball and is no longer sticky to the touch. You will likely need to sprinkle about 1 tablespoon flour on top to help it not be sticky.
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Using a rolling pin, roll dough between 3/8-1/2" inch thick. Using a 2.5 inch diameter circle cookie cutter, cut out circles and place on a parchment-covered cookie sheet. If dough is sticking to your cookie cutter, dip the cookie cutter in flour between each cut.
* See notes below for alternative to rolling pin.
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Bake at 350 degrees for 8-9 minutes. Allow to cool completely before frosting.
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Buttercream Frosting: In a large bowl, whip butter on high speed for 1 minute until light and fluffy. Add vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt. On low speed, begin adding in powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time until all is incorporated. Beat on high speed for 2-3 minutes until fluffy and creamy.
Spread on top of cookies or place frosting in a large piping bag with a large round tip.
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See notes for storing tips.
Recipe Notes
- Almond Extract: You can replace this with equal parts vanilla extract.
- Don’t have a rolling pin? If you don’t have a rolling pin, you can also scoop the dough into 2 tablespoon-sized balls and flatten into a disc before baking. Just increase baking time 1-2 minutes, as cookies will puff up into a ball shape. See photo below.
- Substitution for Sour Cream: The sour cream in this sugar cookie dough keeps the cookies super fluffy and soft. You can also substitute the sour cream for full-fat plain greek yogurt.
- Storage: These fluffy sugar cookies will stay fresh for up to 3 days if covered tightly! I personally like to refrigerate these cookies, but you don’t have to. The sugar in the frosting allows them to stay stable at room temperature.
- Freezing: Yes, fluffy sugar cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months! I recommend frosting them separately once they are defrosted for the best appearance, but you can freeze them after frosting if you need.
- You can make the dough ahead of time and freeze the dough. To do, flatten dough into a thick disc, wrap in plastic wrap, then place in airtight bag or container.
- Piping Tips: The Ateco 809 is my favorite metal tip for getting the signature frosting swirl you see in the photos. For a fancier swirl, you can also use an Ateco #8 large star tip.
Nutrition
If you make these soft fluffy sugar cookies, be sure to leave a comment below and tag me on Instagram @designeatrepeat. I LOVE seeing what you made!
