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4.13 from 47 votes
We had a happy accident the other day while making these Swig Sugar Cookies and the recipe was better than ever so we had to share! What is a Swig Sugar Cookie, you ask? On the spectrum between soft pillow-y sugar cookie and shortbread, it falls somewhere right in the middle. They are buttery and soft and pretty much heaven!
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While making these Swig Sugar cookies with our daughter last year we were a little short on some ingredients. We have a large cold storage in our basem*nt where we keep a stocked supply of baking ingredients, but as it’s winter it gets really cold in that room, so not wanting to go down I changed the measurements.
I switched up how much shortening and powdered sugar we use in our old recipe and they turned out better than ever! A happy accident and now you all can enjoy the Utah favorite, Swig Sugar Cookies!
Swiggin’
Swig is a soda shop that specializes in all sorts of yummy soda and flavor combinations. They also sell amazing cookies! They started here in Utah and have exploded all over the place. If you haven’t been to one, you definitely should! Come visit us and we can Swig it up! There is one no more than 2 miles from our house. Dangerously close!
I’ll be totally honest, I don’t ever drink soda. I’m just not a fan so the drinks at Swig don’t really do much for me, but my kids love them and pretty much everyone I know loves them. Now what I am a big fan of are the cookies! Good mercy they are irresistible! They have 5 or 6 different kinds to choose from, but I often find myself coming back to the classic Swig sugar cookie.
The One True Swig Cookie Copycat
There are a lot of copycat Swig Sugar Cookie recipes out there, but I’m telling you, this change in ingredients is it! This recipe uses a combination of butter and butter flavored shortening for the fat and a combination of granulated sugar and powdered sugar for the sweetness. These cookies are soft and melt in your mouth! When you buy them at Swig, they are cold, like they have been in the refrigerator, and I like them that way. It makes the frosting slightly firm and makes for the perfect bite. I like to throw mine into the fridge for a half hour or so before eating them.
Cream of Tartar FTW!
Then there is the cream of tartar. We always get loads of questions about cream of tartar when we use it in a recipe (like our mega-viral Peanut Butter Banana Bread). It seems like its not a spice that everyone has on hand like we do. Just go buy a jar! Trust me! It adds just the little bit of tang that these copycat Swig sugar cookies need.
Frost Yourself
This frosting is really what takes these cookies over the top for me. While the cream of tartar adds tanginess to the cookie, the sour cream adds tanginess to the frosting. It is the perfect balance of sweet and tang and is so, so creamy. Swig dyes theirs pink, so we did the same, but you could dye it any color you want. These would be great for a gender reveal party, a bridal shower, a St. Patrick’s Day party, or just a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Rough Edge
- How to press sugar cookies with sugar
One of the signature features of a Swig sugar cookie is the rough edge. To get the rough edge, you scoop a golf ball sized chunk of dough and roll it into a smooth circle. Then you place the dough on the cookie sheet and smash it with the bottom of a drinking glass. It helps if you spray the bottom of the glass with cooking spray to avoid sticking. We like to smash it to about 1/2 inch thickness, but you can smash them a little more or a little less depending on how crispy or chewy you want your cookie.
- Never Frost a Warm Cookie
You will want to wait until the cookies are completely cooled before frosting them. I can hardly wait for you to try these copycat Swig sugar cookies! Get your buns into the kitchen and get baking, friend! Xoxo!
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Swig Sugar Cookies and Frosting Recipe
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4.13 from 47 votes
Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 8 minutes mins
Total Time: 18 minutes mins
Description
Utah's favorite Swig Sugar Cookies recipe with a creamy frosting!
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 1 Cup Butter, softened
- 3/4 Cup Butter Flavored Shortening
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cream of Tartar
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 5 1/2 Cups Flour
For the Frosting
- 1/2 Cup Butter, unsalted and softened
- 3/4 Cup Sour Cream
- 5 Cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- Pink Gel Food Coloring
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine butter, shortening, granulated sugar, confectioners sugar and mix on medium speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
Add eggs and mix again.
In a bowl add the cream of tartar, baking soda and salt to the flour and whisk to combine.
Slowly add the flour to the butter mixer and allow the mixer to combine until the dough comes together.
Using an ice cream/cookie scoop, scoop out golf-ball size portions on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Place only 6 cookies per cookie sheet to avoid edges touching.
Roll each cookie dough ball until it is smooth and round.
Use a kitchen glass that has been sprayed with a little nonstick spray to press the bottom into granulated sugar, then press down on each cookie dough ball until the cookie is pressed out but not totally flat. Repeat with all cookies.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are just slightly starting to brown and center no longer appears wet.
Cool completely.
For the Frosting
In a clean bowl, using a hand mixer or a clean bowl for the standing mixer, combine butter, sour cream, and salt until smooth.
Add powdered sugar, starting with 4 cups and mix on low until smooth. We almost always use the full 5 cups.
Add in a few drops of pink gel food coloring for the soft pink color. We use 3 drops.
Spread on cooled cookies using an offset spatula.
Notes
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cookieCalories: 289kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 3gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 219mgFiber: 1gSugar: 24g
Author: Sweet Basil
Course: 100 Best Cookies Recipes on the Planet
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