The Holiday Cookie Everyone Asks My Mom to Bake

Every holiday season, my mom prepares nearly a dozen distinct types of Christmas cookies. For as long as I can remember, she has followed the same beloved recipes, sharing them generously with neighbors, friends, and colleagues. Some of my personal favorites are her candy canes, peanut butter blossoms, gingersnaps, and sour cream sugar cookies. Many people compare her sour cream sugar cookies to store-bought versions, but they are far superior.

The Simple Dough

The cookie dough is straightforward to make. Start by blending 1/2 cup of shortening (my mom prefers Crisco baking sticks) with sugar and eggs. Then mix in sour cream and vanilla before gradually incorporating the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. After chilling the dough in the refrigerator for at least an hour, bake the cookies in the oven for 810 minutes (the first batch may need a bit longer).

Decorating

Once cooled, frost the cookies with a creamy vanilla icingor any frosting you preferand sprinkle with festive holiday decorations. I especially love the sour cream cookies with vanilla frosting. They are soft, moist, and slightly spongy, almost like a tiny cake. The sour cream keeps them tender, while the frosting adds just the right touch of sweetness. The colorful sprinkles make them look cheerful on any cookie plate.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup soft shortening (Crisco baking sticks)

Instructions

1. Chill the dough in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
2. Shape dough into walnut-sized balls and pat lightly with floured hands.
3. Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet for 810 minutes, or until cookies spring back when touched. They will not be browned on top but may be slightly golden on the bottom.
4. Once cool, frost with creamy vanilla frosting made by mixing powdered sugar and butter, then stirring in vanilla and milk until smooth and spreadable.

Moms Baking Tips

• Always chill the dough. Since it is wetter than typical doughs, chilling prevents it from sticking and spreading too much.
• Use Crisco baking sticks for the best texture and flavor.
• Choose your favorite frosting. While vanilla is classic, any frosting works perfectly, and store-bought frosting is fine too.
• Add extra milk to the frosting if needed to achieve a creamy, spreadable consistency.
• Serve them on a holiday cookie plate. These cookies are beautiful alone but truly shine among other festive treats.

Author: Sophia Brooks