Here's a recipe for Frosted Lemon Sour Cream Sugar Cookies:
Ingredients for the cookies:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Ingredients for the lemon frosting:
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
3-4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
Yellow food coloring (optional)
Instructions for the cookies:
1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the eggs, sour cream, vanilla extract, and lemon zest to the butter mixture. Mix until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
5. Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disk and wrap them separately in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until firm.
6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough.
8. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Instructions for the lemon frosting:
1. In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter until smooth.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the butter. Mix until smooth and creamy. Add more lemon juice if needed to achieve a spreadable consistency. If desired, add a few drops of yellow food coloring to enhance the lemony color of the frosting.
3. Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread the lemon frosting on top of each cookie using a knife or offset spatula. Alternatively, you can pipe the frosting using a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
4. Let the frosting set for about 30 minutes to an hour before serving or storing the cookies.
5. Serve and enjoy these delicious Frosted Lemon Sour Cream Sugar Cookies! They have a soft and tender texture with a bright, tangy lemon flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet frosting.
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days.
