Well, I am full of confessions lately, so I’m just going to jump right into it. I am obsessed with these cookies. They have quite literally taken over my life. When I made them for Halloween (recipe can be found here!), I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. What is great, is that you all seem to enjoy them just as much as I do. So here we are, and I had to make a Holiday version of a favorite. If you haven’t checked out the Halloween edition, make sure that you do. To put things simply, these cookies are a rendition of those super sweet and sugary cookies you get in the grocery store. They are addicting. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The super awesome thing is that you can whip up your own batch and they will taste just as delicious, if not better, than the store-bought version. You will love them. I promise.
Here is a snippet from the last time I made these bad boys (you can find the original version here):
“I’ll have you know that I struggled with the decision of using either cream cheese or sour cream for this recipe. I’ve baked with sour cream many, many times. It helps in making cookies super soft and fluffy. I didn’t want to go overboard with sour cream though. Sour cream has a tang that can knock you off your feet. For this recipe, I decided to mix the two. It worked just fine for me, and the flavor was perfect…for me. This doesn’t mean you have to do the same. You can certainly just use sour cream and substitute the 1/4 cup of cream cheese for just more sour cream. You could also use softened mascarpone which I LOVE, but don’t LOVE to pay for all of the time. The choice is yours, just make sure you stick with the exact measurements.
The same goes for the vanilla bean. I go crazy over vanilla bean and use it any chance I get. Traditionally, you would not put the seeds from a vanilla bean into the dough. This ingredient can be skipped, especially since purchasing vanilla bean can get pricey. It’s up to you!
Just like anything else, baking requires you to be specific, and this sugar cookie recipe can change depending on your conditions. I obviously live a mile above sea level. Sometimes “drastic” measures have to be taken. It always takes my cookies longer to bake and sometimes I have to adjust the leavening agents (baking soda, baking powder, yeast…even flour). The key is to pay close attention to the dough. You want a cookie dough. You want it to be sticky, but not runny. Adjust the flour amount as you need. I find that it is best to start with a little bit less and work your way up. You can always add more, but you can’t always take away. On the other hand, if you find your cookie dough to be TOO stiff, it’s ok to add a tablespoon or two of milk. I do this often and it always seems to work out in the end.
Have I confused the heck out of you yet??
I’m sorry =(. If you have questions, I’m just a message away =).
Also, sprinkles are not optional.
A stout was most certainly necessary for this beer pairing. I mean, stout season is on the verge of being in full swing. May as well get started on pairing them with EVERYTHING! Really though, stouts go great with desserts, especially these cookies. I decided to go with Green Flash’s Double Stout Black Ale for this cookie pairing. It is a great Imperial Stout and it’s robust, dark notes pair very well with sweet things. It has a lot of warmth and it’s boldness may knock you on your feet if you aren’t careful! Don’t let this scare you though! It’s one of the best Imperial Stouts out there.
I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving and an even better weekend! Have a great week everyone!
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8 Responses
These are one of my favorite kinds of cookie, and I am ashamed to admit I’ve never tried making them at home. I think your delicious (and pretty!) version is just the inspiration I need!
I know that you will absolutely love them Nora! I honestly think they are better than the store-bought kind (if you can get any better than the store-bought kind) =)
can you make these cookies with just cream cheese? i’m snowed in and have no sour cream :(
Of course you can Kayla! I would just substitute the 1/2 cup of sour cream for 1/2 cup more of cream cheese (softened of course). I’m not 100% sure how this will change the consistency of the cookie dough. If you find that the dough is TOO firm, just add a tablespoon or two of milk. That should do the trick. Good luck with the snow! Sounds like a blast ;) – Justine
Thank you!