COOKIE INGREDIENTS:

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup real butter, softened to room temperature

2 eggs

1/2 cup sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt 

FROSTING INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup real butter, softened to room temperature

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon milk

*Additional sugar to sprinkle on top if desired

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350*

In a large mixing bowl, with a mixer or by hand, cream together 1/2 cup softened butter with 1 cup sugar a couple of minutes or until smooth. Add eggs, sour cream and 2 teaspoons of vanilla and mix well. 

In a large bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Slowly stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and combine well. 

Measure about 3 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Use your hands to roll each portion into a round ball and place on parchment lined cookie sheets about 2 or 3 inches apart. Lightly flatten each ball a bit with your fingers. *If using sugar to top the cookies instead of frosting them, sprinkle sugar on each one before baking.*

Place cookie sheets in oven and bake for 11-12 minutes, then immediately remove from the oven. They will appear slightly under-baked but this is what you want. Do not over-bake. Carefully transfer the baked cookies to a cooling rack and repeat the process until all the cookies are baked and let all cool to room temperature before frosting.

TO MAKE THE FROSTING: 

In a medium mixing bowl using a mixer or by hand, beat the butter 30 seconds or so until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly, then add vanilla extract and milk, mixing until smooth and fluffy. Use a knife or spatula to slather the top of each cookie. Top with sprinkles or other decorations if desired. Store cookies in a tightly sealed container.

These soft cookies bear a strong resemblance to the teacakes my grandma made when I was young and are my daughter Jessica's favorite cookies ever ever ever (her words). Most of the time I don't top them with sugar or frosting. We eat them plain and they're plenty rich enough for us without the added sugar or frosting.