Soft, Chewy Sugar Cookies

Mom4Life's Note:

I was never a huge sugar cookie fan until I went to a local bakery and bit into one of their frosted sugar cookies. It had a fudgy texture that complimented the harder frosting and sprinkles on top. So good! I've been on a hunt for such a cookie since. I haven't found the frosting yet, but here's a great cookie that delivers on texture and taste!

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 24 cookies

• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup shortening
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 5 tablespoons sour cream
• 4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Cream shortening, butter, sugar; add eggs, lemon, vanilla and sour cream.
2. Mix till creamy; add sifted dry ingredients: salt, soda, and flour.
3. Chill for several hours or overnight. Roll into balls and flatten with bottom of sugar coated glass.
4. Bake at 350°F just until the edges start turning color. Time will vary depending on how large and thick you made your cookies. It is important not to overbake if you want the texture to remain chewy and soft.
5. Decorate as desired.

Reviews

[caffeine junkie]

I'm not a fan of crisp sugar cookies, I'm not a big fan of sugar cookies period, but I have been using this as my standard Sugar Cookie recipe. I don't recall seeing anyone else having this problem, but even after being refrigerated for a full 24 hours, my dough was very sticky! This was surprising since it has 4 cups of flour, so I assumed there was just too much liquid. I've made a few of my own adjustments and have been pretty happy with my version. I use more butter, less shortening, sugar and brown sugar, just 1 egg and 1 egg yolk, and only 4 T. of sour cream. I also do vanilla and almond extract, but if I have fresh lemons, I will throw in a teaspoon of juice as well. Mine bake up perfectly in about 12 minutes, and I top them with a Fresh Strawberry Glaze.

[herb607]

These are chewy & delicious cookies! The only thing I changed was using a little less lemon, & a little more vanilla. I refrigerated the dough overnight, & they baked up perfectly the next day. I have found these kind of cookies turn out best on the AirBake cookie pans. Thank you for posting this recipe.

[Chef #722185]

These are SO good. I followed the recipe exactly, except I substituted almond for vanilla. Delicious!!!