Sour Cream Spice Cookies
Sweet and spiced Sour Cream Spice Cookies feature warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, complemented by chewy raisins and optional nuts or citron for a flavorful treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup shortening ⓘ
- 1 cup brown sugar ⓘ
- 1 egg, beaten ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sour cream ⓘ
- 3 cups flour, sifted ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves ⓘ
- 1 cup dates (optional) ⓘ
- 1 cup raisins ⓘ
- 1 cup nuts (optional) or citron, orange, lemon ⓘ
Instructions
- Cream together shortening, brown sugar, egg, and sour cream.
- Sift together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Combine the sifted dry ingredients with dates, raisins, nuts, or citron if desired.
- Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto a greased cookie sheet.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter texture, consider using half butter and half shortening instead of all shortening. If you prefer a healthier twist, substitute half of the sugar with applesauce. You can also experiment with different dried fruits, such as chopped apricots or cranberries, instead of raisins. This dough can be refrigerated for up to a day, making it easier to bake fresh cookies whenever you want.
Serving Suggestions
These sour cream spice cookies are delightful on their own or paired with a steaming cup of tea or coffee. For a festive touch, serve alongside *Quick Fruit Squares* or a platter of assorted cookies. You can also drizzle with a simple icing for added sweetness or serve with a dollop of whipped cream for a dessert twist.
Storage & Reheating
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. To reheat, simply warm them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes to restore their softness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sour Cream Spice Cookies contains roughly 1719 calories, with 14g protein, 330g carbohydrates, and 46g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (41% of the Daily Value), calcium (37% of the Daily Value), and potassium (34% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2229mg per serving (97% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes, plain yogurt can be used as a substitute for sour cream in this recipe. It will give a similar tangy flavor and moisture, making your cookies just as delicious.
What can I use instead of shortening?
You can replace shortening with an equal amount of unsalted butter or coconut oil. This will change the flavor slightly and may result in a different texture, but the cookies will still turn out well.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The cookies are done when they are lightly golden around the edges and still soft in the center. They will firm up as they cool, so be careful not to overbake them.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).