The Best Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Sweet memories of grandma’s kitchen dance through my mind whenever I whip up these irresistible soft and chewy sugar cookies that melt faster than snowflakes on warm hands.

Crisp edges give way to a pillowy center that makes everyone lean in for another bite.

Simple ingredients become magic when mixed with love and a pinch of nostalgia.

Each cookie whispers comfort and brings smiles around the table.

No fancy techniques required – just pure baking joy waiting to happen.

Pulling these golden treasures from the oven, their sugary aroma filling every corner of your home.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of these delightful treats that turn ordinary moments into something special.

Helpful Tips For Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookies

• Master Softness Control: Use room temperature butter for ultra-creamy, smooth cookie texture that ensures soft, tender results every time.
• Prevent Overmixing Mishap: Stop mixing flour precisely when ingredients are combined to maintain delicate, light cookie consistency and avoid tough, dense texture.
• Sugar Coating Secret: Roll cookie dough balls generously in granulated sugar before baking to create a delightful crispy exterior and sweet sparkly finish.
• Perfectly Timed Baking: Remove cookies when edges just start turning golden and centers appear slightly underbaked, guaranteeing chewy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Storage Smart Tip: Store cooled cookies in airtight container at room temperature for maximum freshness, keeping them soft and delicious for several days.

How To Store And Reheat Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookies

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep them fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze flat for up to 3 months for maximum flavor and texture preservation.
• Room Temperature: If enjoying within 2-3 days, store cookies in a sealed container at room temperature. Add a slice of bread to maintain softness and prevent drying out.
• Reheating: Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 5-10 seconds or place in a 300F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore that fresh-from-the-oven softness and warmth.

Perfect Pairings For Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookies

• Pair with Creamy Milk: Indulge in a cold glass of whole milk that perfectly complements the sweet, buttery sugar cookies. The rich, smooth milk balances the cookie's sweetness and provides a refreshing contrast.
• Match with Chai Latte: Brew a warm chai latte to enhance the cookie's vanilla and almond notes. The spicy, aromatic tea creates a delightful flavor harmony that elevates the cookie-eating experience.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Top the warm sugar cookies with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, smooth ice cream melts slightly against the warm cookie, creating an irresistible combination of temperatures and textures.
• Accompany with Fruity Tea: Steep a light raspberry or peach herbal tea that adds a subtle fruity undertone to the sweet sugar cookies. The gentle fruit notes provide a delicate counterpoint to the cookie's rich flavor.

Fun Changes To Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookies

• Citrus Burst Cookies: Add lemon or orange zest to the dough for a bright, refreshing flavor that enhances the sugar cookie base.
• Chocolate Chip Comfort: Fold in mini chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate chunks to create a rich, indulgent version of the classic sugar cookie.
• Spiced Warmth Cookies: Mix in ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to give the cookies a cozy, warming spice profile that complements the sweet base.
• Coconut Crunch Edition: Sprinkle shredded coconut on top before baking or mix into the dough for a tropical-inspired texture and subtle nutty flavor.

FAQ For Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookies

• Why do I need to use room temperature butter?

Room temperature butter blends more easily with sugar, creating a smoother, fluffier texture that helps your cookies become soft and chewy instead of dense or hard.

• Can I skip the almond extract?

Absolutely! The almond extract is optional and just adds a subtle nutty flavor. Your cookies will still taste delicious if you only use vanilla extract.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for slightly golden edges and a soft, somewhat underbaked center. The cookies will continue to set as they cool, ensuring that wonderfully soft texture you’re aiming for.

• What makes these cookies soft and chewy?

The combination of butter, egg, and not overbaking creates the signature soft texture. Removing the cookies when they’re just barely golden helps prevent them from becoming crisp or hard.

Why Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookies Are Always A Hit

• Melt-in-Your-Mouth Softness: These sugar cookies deliver an incredibly tender texture that literally dissolves on your tongue, creating a delightful melt-in-your-mouth experience with every single bite.
• Quick and Easy Baking Adventure: Perfect for beginner bakers, this recipe requires minimal ingredients and simple steps, allowing anyone to whip up delicious homemade cookies in under 30 minutes from start to finish.
• Versatile Sweet Treat: Adaptable for multiple occasions like family gatherings, holiday parties, or casual weekend snacking, these cookies provide a classic comfort dessert that appeals to all ages and taste preferences.
• Perfectly Balanced Sweetness: The combination of granulated sugar coating and subtle vanilla and almond extracts creates a harmonious flavor profile that's not overly sugary but wonderfully satisfying and rich.

Ingredients For Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie, providing structure and texture.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help cookies rise and become soft.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp exterior with soft interior.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides classic cookie flavor and aromatic depth.
• Almond Extract: Optional ingredient that adds a delicate, nutty flavor profile.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, tender texture and carries flavor, best when softened at room temperature.
• Large Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture to the cookie dough.

• Extra Granulated Sugar: Used for rolling cookies, creates a sparkling, sweet exterior and slight crunch.

Steps To Make Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven toasty at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper for smooth cookie magic.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

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

Set this powdery mixture aside for now.

Step 3: Create Butter Clouds

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar

Whip these ingredients until they become light, fluffy, and look like delicate clouds.

Step 4: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Blend everything until smooth and perfectly combined.

Step 5: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add your dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Don’t get too excited and overmix!

Step 6: Shape Cookie Treasures

Scoop out small portions of dough and roll into adorable balls. Roll each ball in extra granulated sugar for a sparkly coating. Place these sweet gems on your prepared baking sheets, leaving some breathing room between each one.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide your baking sheets into the preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn a delicate golden color. The centers should look soft and slightly underdone – that’s the secret to chewy cookies!

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Get ready to experience cookie heaven!

Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet dreams come true with this Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies recipe straight from grandma’s kitchen. Delicate butter-infused rounds melt in your mouth, offering pure comfort with each delightful bite you savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies

Main Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups (312 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking powder

Optional Decorative Ingredients:

• Sprinkles (optional)
• Frosting (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the workspace by setting the oven temperature to 350F (175C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
2. Craft the dry foundation by whisking flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl, creating a smooth, uniform mixture that will provide structure to the cookies.
3. Transform butter and granulated sugar into a cloud-like mixture by vigorously beating them until they become light, airy, and significantly increased in volume, typically requiring 2-3 minutes of consistent mixing.
4. Introduce moisture and flavor by incorporating the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the creamed butter mixture, blending until the texture becomes silky and harmonious.
5. Gently marry the dry and wet ingredients, folding them together with minimal manipulation to prevent toughening the dough, stopping the mixing process the moment ingredients are just integrated.
6. Sculpt uniform cookie spheres by scooping approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough, rolling into perfect orbs, and generously coating each with additional granulated sugar for a sparkling, crisp exterior.
7. Position the sugar-dusted dough balls strategically on prepared baking sheets, ensuring ample spacing to allow for elegant spreading during the baking process.
8. Nestle the cookies into the preheated oven, monitoring closely for 8-10 minutes until edges develop a delicate golden hue while maintaining a tender, slightly underbaked center.
9. Implement a controlled cooling strategy by allowing cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transferring to a wire rack to complete the cooling process and achieve the ideal chewy texture.

Notes

• Achieve Extra Softness by slightly underbaking the cookies, ensuring the centers remain soft and tender when they come out of the oven.
• Customize Flavor Profiles by experimenting with different extracts like orange, coconut, or maple to create unique taste variations without changing the base recipe.
• Room Temperature Ingredients are crucial for creating a smooth, well-incorporated dough that results in perfectly textured sugar cookies.
• Prevent Spreading by chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking, which helps the cookies maintain their shape and creates a more compact texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg