Walmart Sugar Cookies with Buttercream (Printer-friendly)
Soft, pillowy sugar cookies with creamy buttercream frosting, reminiscent of classic bakery favorites. Perfect for parties and sweet treats.
# What you'll need:
→ For the Sugar Cookies
01 - 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
06 - 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
07 - 1 large egg
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
09 - 1/4 cup sour cream
→ For the Buttercream Frosting
10 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
13 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
14 - Pinch of salt
15 - Food coloring (optional)
16 - Sprinkles (optional)
# Method:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
03 - Add egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture; beat until well combined.
04 - Mix in the sour cream until fully incorporated.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
06 - Divide the dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
07 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
08 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out circles (about 2.5-inch diameter) and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
09 - Bake for 9–11 minutes, until the edges are just set (do not brown). Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
10 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla, salt, and cream; beat on high for 2–3 minutes until fluffy. Mix in food coloring if desired.
11 - Once cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe frosting generously on top. Decorate with sprinkles if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sour cream creates an incredibly tender crumb that stays soft for days
- This frosting pipes beautifully but spreads just as easily for quick decorating
- One batch makes exactly enough for a classroom party or office gathering without overwhelming leftovers
02 -
- Overbaking by even one minute transforms these from bakery soft to disappointing crunch
- Warm cookies will melt your frosting into a puddle, so patience during cooling is nonnegotiable
- Room temperature ingredients incorporate better than cold ones, creating that uniform texture we are chasing
03 -
- Chilling your baking sheets between batches prevents the dough from spreading too quickly in the oven
- Adding a teaspoon of corn syrup to your frosting creates that gorgeous professional shine and prevents crusting