The Softest, Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe You’ll Adore

Soft, pillowy sugar cookies with a perfect chewy sugar cookies recipe emerge from the oven, filling the kitchen with an irresistible sweet aroma.

These delightful treats promise a melt-in-your-mouth experience that beats any store-bought alternative.

Each cookie boasts a golden edge with a tender, soft center that makes them utterly addictive.

The simple ingredients come together quickly, creating a classic dessert everyone will love.

Butter, sugar, and vanilla blend into a dough that bakes up with crisp edges and a luxurious chew.

Comfort and nostalgia dance on your taste buds with every single bite.

Prepare to fall in love with the most delectable cookies that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

FAQs

• Why are my cookies turning out flat?

Make sure your butter is softly softened, not melted. Cream the butter and sugar thoroughly until light and fluffy. Avoid overmixing the dough, which can cause cookies to spread too much during baking.

• How do I get a chewy texture?

The key is to not overbake the cookies. Remove them from the oven when edges are just golden but centers still look slightly underbaked. They’ll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet for a few minutes.

• Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar?

While you can substitute some brown sugar, using all brown sugar will make cookies darker and softer. A mix of white and brown sugar works best for achieving that classic chewy sugar cookie texture.

Why Chewy Sugar Cookies Are So Loved

• Simplify Morning Prep: Grab basic pantry ingredients and create delicious pancakes without complicated steps or fancy equipment.
• Create Family Breakfast Memories: Engage kids in mixing batter, flipping pancakes, and enjoying a shared meal that brings everyone together with warm, comforting flavors.
• Customize Your Breakfast Canvas: Swap toppings like berries, chocolate chips, or nuts to match personal preferences and make each pancake experience unique and exciting.
• Quick Comfort Food: Prepare a satisfying breakfast in minutes that feels like a special treat, perfect for weekends, lazy mornings, or when craving something sweet and homemade.

Ingredient Checklist for Chewy Sugar Cookies

• Flour: A fundamental base that provides structure and texture to the sugar cookies.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create the signature crisp exterior of the cookies.
• Butter: Contributes rich flavor and helps create a tender, chewy texture.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and provides moisture to the cookie dough.

• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Help the cookies rise and create a soft, light texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the sweetness of the cookies.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Sugar: Provides a sweet, sparkling exterior and adds extra crunch to the cookie surface.

Steps for Baking Chewy Sugar Cookie Batches

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Get your oven warmed up to 350F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cookie removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Set this mixture aside for later use.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar

Whip these ingredients on high speed until they become light and fluffy, which takes about 1-2 minutes.

Step 4: Introduce Moisture

• One egg
• Vanilla extract

Mix on medium speed until the batter looks pale and super smooth, roughly 1-2 minutes.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients.

Mix on low speed just until everything blends together perfectly.

Step 6: Shape Delightful Cookies

Use a cookie scoop to create uniform dough balls.

Roll each ball in sugar for a sparkling exterior. Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each one.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slightly flatten each cookie ball. Bake 6-8 cookies at a time for 9-10 minutes until edges turn golden brown.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack to complete cooling.

Savor these delectable treats with friends and family!

Notes for Soft Chewy Sugar Cookie Success

• Leave butter out 30-60 minutes before baking to achieve the ideal creamy texture without melting.
• Roll cookie balls generously in granulated sugar for a delightful crackly exterior and extra sweetness.
• Stop mixing dry and wet ingredients as soon as they combine to maintain a tender, chewy cookie texture.
• Give cookies enough room on the baking sheet to prevent spreading and ensure even baking with crisp edges.
• Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set structure before transferring to a cooling rack.

Swaps for Chewy Sugar Cookie Lovers

• Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Sugar Cookies: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use a flax egg or applesauce instead of regular egg to create a plant-based cookie.
• Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies: Fold in mini chocolate chips into the dough before shaping for a classic sweet addition.
• Lemon Sugar Cookies: Add fresh lemon zest and a splash of lemon juice to the dough for a bright, citrusy flavor profile.

What Goes Well With Sugar Cookie Treats

• Pair Creamy Vanilla Latte: The rich, smooth coffee complements the sweet, buttery sugar cookies perfectly, creating a delightful taste experience.
• Serve Chilled Milk: Classic cold milk cuts through the cookie's sweetness, offering a refreshing contrast that kids and adults will love.
• Match Cinnamon Tea: Warm, spicy cinnamon tea enhances the cookie's sugary notes, bringing out subtle hints of warmth and comfort.
• Select Caramel Macchiato: The deep caramel undertones blend beautifully with the sugar cookie's delicate sweetness, elevating the overall flavor profile.

Storing Chewy Sugar Cookies for Later

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers for up to 5 days. Keep them in the fridge to maintain freshness and prevent crumbling.
• Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, place in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
• Place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore their soft, chewy texture.

Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet, pillowy Chewy Sugar Cookies bring classic comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, promising delightful moments of pure sugary bliss. Crisp edges and tender centers make these treats irresistible companions for your afternoon coffee or midnight snack.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, very softened
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 2 3/4 cups (344 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

Dry Leavening Agents:

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Coating and Flavoring:

• 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated white sugar, for rolling dough
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

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Instructions

1. Prepare oven at 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie baking surface.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient blend.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, approximately 1-2 minutes.
4. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, blending on medium speed until the texture becomes pale and fluffy.
5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined to prevent overmixing.
6. Portion dough using a cookie scoop, rolling each portion into smooth spheres and rolling them in additional sugar for a sparkling exterior.
7. Arrange cookie dough balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart and gently pressing each to create a circular shape.
8. Bake in preheated oven for 9-10 minutes, watching for golden edges as a sign of perfect doneness.
9. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer to a cooling rack to complete cooling process.
10. Serve and savor these delightfully chewy sugar cookies.

Notes

• Ensure butter is softened at room temperature but not melted for the perfect creamy texture.
• Roll dough balls in granulated sugar just before baking to create a delightful crispy exterior.
• Slightly flatten cookies before baking to help them spread evenly and achieve that classic sugar cookie shape.
• For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the chewy consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 183
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 82 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 17 mg