White Velvet Sugar Cookies Recipe

There’s just something magical about biting into a plush, delicately sweet treat that manages to be both perfectly tender and enchantingly light. These White Velvet Sugar Cookies absolutely melt in your mouth, gracing every cookie tray with their pillowy texture and timeless flavor. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a potluck, or just because every day deserves a sprinkle of sweetness, these cookies deliver a bakery-quality experience right from your own oven. Their understated elegance makes them as charming served plain as they do gleaming under a twinkle of coarse sugar or a swirl of frosting.

Ingredients You’ll Need

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of White Velvet Sugar Cookies is how they transform pantry staples into something special. Each ingredient plays a starring role, lending a hand in creating that signature soft bite, classic flavor, and snowy-white crumb that makes these cookies unique. Don’t skip or swap—trust in the blend for your very own perfect batch.

• Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): The secret behind these cookies’ velvety texture and rich flavor starts here—make sure it’s at room temperature for easy creaming.
• Granulated Sugar (1 1/4 cups): Not just for sweetness! Sugar contributes to the tender crumb and those irresistible golden edges.
• Large Egg: A single egg binds the dough and adds that soft, chewy bite every sugar cookie should have.
• Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): For deep, classic aroma—real vanilla brings out the old-fashioned nostalgia in every bite.
• Sour Cream (2 tablespoons): The not-so-secret ingredient for keeping the cookies moist, with just a hint of tang.
• All-Purpose Flour (2 3/4 cups): Just the right amount for a sturdy, yet soft and tender cookie.
• Baking Soda (1/2 teaspoon): Gives the cookies lift and keeps them delightfully puffy.
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon): A pinch balances all the sweetness and enhances every flavor note.
• Cream of Tartar (1/4 teaspoon): Ensures a soft interior and those signature crackly tops.

How to Make White Velvet Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pans

Begin by setting the tone: preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to guarantee easy release—and no stuck-on bottoms—ensuring every cookie emerges beautifully whole. This minute of preparation pays off in perfectly baked, effortlessly lifted cookies.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar for 2–3 minutes until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This crucial step incorporates air, leading to that signature pillowy bite in your White Velvet Sugar Cookies. Don’t rush—luxurious texture starts here!

Step 3: Add Egg, Vanilla, and Sour Cream

Crack in your egg, pour in the vanilla, and dollop the sour cream into the creamed mixture. Mix until everything’s well combined. That bit of sour cream is the game changer, keeping the cookies extra moist and lending an ever-so-subtle richness you’ll taste in every bite.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar. This ensures even distribution of the leaveners and salt—no unwanted bursts of flavor or flat cookies! Your flour mixture should look uniform and feel light, almost like sifting.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Resist the urge to overmix; stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour. The dough will be soft but moldable, perfect for shaping into those bakery-worthy rounds.

Step 6: Scoop and Shape

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and drop them onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. For that classic look, flatten each dough ball slightly with the bottom of a glass or your hand. This helps them bake evenly, resulting in picture-perfect White Velvet Sugar Cookies.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 9–11 minutes, just until the edges set but the centers are still a touch soft—the mark of a perfect sugar cookie! Once out of the oven, let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to finish setting up before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

How to Serve White Velvet Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

Dress up your White Velvet Sugar Cookies by sprinkling them with coarse sugar before baking for a sparkly bakery look, or spread a simple buttercream or cream cheese frosting after they cool. Edible glitter or festive sprinkles also transform them into special occasion showstoppers.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a tall glass of cold milk, a steamy mug of hot chocolate, or even a robust black tea. Their tender crumb makes them ideal alongside fruit—think fresh berries or a citrus fruit salad for refreshing contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack cooled cookies in cellophane bags tied with ribbon for charming gifts, arrange them on a tiered dessert tray at parties, or create DIY cookie sandwiches with a scoop of vanilla or berry ice cream sandwiched between two White Velvet Sugar Cookies for a memorable treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature and they’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 5 days. Layer them with parchment to keep them from sticking, especially if frosted or topped with sugar crystals.

Freezing

Both baked cookies and raw dough freeze beautifully. To freeze cookies, place them in a single layer, then transfer to a zip-top bag once frozen. For dough, scoop into balls and freeze on a baking sheet, then stash in a bag for fresh-baked cookies anytime. Just add a minute or two to the baking time if you bake straight from the freezer.

Reheating

To enjoy that just-baked magic, rewarm cookies in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 3–4 minutes or microwave individual cookies for 10–15 seconds. This little trick brings back the soft texture and melts any sugar topping perfectly.

FAQs

How do I know when the cookies are done?

Look for lightly golden edges while the centers still look a bit soft. They’ll continue to set as they cool on the tray, rewarding your patience with a perfectly tender bite.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can chill the dough, covered, for up to 48 hours before baking. Chilled dough also tends to produce slightly thicker, ultra-soft cookies—just let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before scooping.

Why is cream of tartar important?

Cream of tartar helps create those iconic soft, melt-in-your-mouth centers and gentle crinkles on top. Skipping it gives the cookies a different texture and less lift, so definitely include it for best results.

Can I decorate White Velvet Sugar Cookies with royal icing?

Yes! These cookies hold their shape well and provide a smooth, pale canvas for your favorite icing and decorations, making them ideal for holidays and special occasions.

What’s the best way to keep the cookies soft?

Storing cookies in an airtight container with a slice of white bread or a few marshmallows helps retain their signature softness. The bread or marshmallows will absorb any excess moisture, keeping your White Velvet Sugar Cookies bakery-fresh.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a show-stopping cookie that’s as elegant as it is effortless, this White Velvet Sugar Cookies recipe is your new secret weapon. Every bite promises pure comfort and delight—give these a whirl, and you just might find yourself baking them on repeat!

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