Adding Moisture

• One issue that many bakers run into when baking both cakes and cookies is dryness. Dry baked goods are usually frowned upon, and sour cream helps keep moisture inside where it should be. The added moisture makes the baked texture more appealing, and it makes the cake or cookies last longer than they would otherwise. If you've had problems with dry cakes and cookies, try adding 1 cup of sour cream in place of another wet ingredient, like 1 cup of milk, and see whether the moisture level soars to new heights.

Tenderizing

• Sour cream is acidic, and that acid helps tenderize gluten in baked goods. Using the word "tender" when describing baked goods, rather than steaks or roasts, may seem unusual, but it has a place in describing the texture of an item that comes out of a cake pan or off of a cookie sheet. The acidity in sour cream helps break down the "crumb," which means the cake or cookie will be fluffier and more pillowlike when it comes out of the oven.

Adding Richness

• Richness is another benefit of adding sour cream to baked goods like cakes and cookies. "Rich" and "decadent" are two ways of describing the finest baked goods, and sour cream can help you reach these lofty goals. However, keep in mind that there is a limit to the positive nature of richness in baked goods. Cakes and cookies that are overly rich are no longer enjoyable, so follow mixing instructions closely; remember that you can always add more, but once it's in, it's in.

Activating Baking Soda

• If baking soda is used instead of baking powder as the leavening agent in baked goods, it needs to be activated to do its job effectively. Liquids and acids are used to create millions of tiny bubbles within the baking soda, and sour cream is an effective substance to get this process started. Once the baking soda has been activated with the sour cream and incorporated into the batter, get it into the oven as soon as possible. The bubbles only build to a certain point outside the oven and then start declining, which affects the quality of the finished product.

Keeping a Journal

• If you are honestly interested in discovering the ways that sour cream improves your baked goods, consider keeping a kitchen journal. It's one thing to follow someone else's direction, but if you're the type of baker who likes to experiment and explore, keeping track of your actions is a must. Remember to document each addition, subtraction and modification. Write down exactly how much sour cream was added and at what stage of the process. This way, you can enjoy all that sour cream has to offer in all your favorite baked goods.