

I’m obsessed with sugar cookies, but not just any sugar cookies. I like thick, soft, chewy cookies with lots of fluffy frosting. I get that crunchy sugar cookies have their place, but not at my house.
For years I was on the hunt for the perfect recipe. I sampled sugar cookies at every bakery and pastry shop I could find. I tried recipe after recipe. I found some good ones. I found some bad ones. Most were just mediocre. Finally, one fateful day I found it! The perfect sugar cookie recipe! I almost didn’t try it because of one strange ingredient. Sour cream. Yup, this recipe has sour cream in it. Weird, right? I know but I was willing to try it in my quest for the best sugar cookies. Guess what? They were almost perfect. A few small tweaks and the my Secret Ingredient Sugar Cookies were born!
This is the recipe that I get asked for most often. People literally hound me for my secret ingredient sugar cookies. So, I’ve finally written it down for the world! These cookies are easy to make. They whip up in no time! They freeze well, so you can make them ahead of time. I prefer a homemade butter cream, but a tub of canned frosting is great as well.
Recipe Instructions
See full recipe below. I usually double this recipe because I need lots of sugar cookies in my life!
Combine the shortening, sugar and vanilla in a mixer. Mix until well combined. I like to mix this until it’s pretty fluffy.
Add the egg, sour cream, backing powder, soda, salt and flour. Mix well. You may need to add some extra flour. Add just enough flour so that it comes together in a workable dough.
Roll out the dough with plenty of flour so it doesn’t stick. I like to roll our the dough pretty thick to create that thick, chewy cookie that I love. I usually roll my dough out to about 1/4 of an inch thick.
Use your favorite cookies cutters to cut out your dough. Bake on un greased cookie sheet for at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool and then frost with your favorite frosting.
I can’t wait for you to try these! I think you’ll love them. You can find lots of other yummy recipes here.
Secret Ingredient Sugar Cookies

These soft, chewy sugar cookies are perfect! Your search for the perfect sugar cookie recipe is over. You can now rejoice!
- 1 Cup Shortening
- 1 Cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspooon Vanilla
- 1 Egg
- 1 Cup Sour Cream
- 3-4 Cups White Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine shortening, sugar and vanilla. Mix until fluffy. Add the rest of the ingredients. Add extra flour as needed to make a workable dough. Roll out about 1/4 of an inch thick. Cut into desired shapes. Bake on un greased baking sheet for 10-12 minutes. Frost with your favorite frosting. I like a simple butter cream.