Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies
What are Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies?
Soft and chewy sugar cookies are a delightful dessert that combines the sweet taste of sugar with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Unlike crisp cookies, these have a soft, pillowy center with just the right amount of chewiness around the edges. Their simplicity, made with common pantry ingredients, makes them a go-to favorite for many.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This sugar cookie recipe will win your heart with its perfect balance of sweetness and texture. Whether you’re a beginner baker or an experienced chef, it’s a simple yet foolproof way to create the best sugar cookies. The slight crunch from the sugar coating and the softness inside will make them irresistible.
How to Make the Best Sugar Cookie Recipe
Quick Overview
Making soft and chewy sugar cookies is quick and easy! With just a few simple ingredients and a few steps, you’ll have perfect cookies that are perfect for any occasion. Here’s how to get started:
Ingredients For the Perfect Sugar Cookie Recipe:
- 1 Cup Butter (very softened)
- 1 1/2 Cup Granulated sugar
- 1 Egg
- 2 Teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 Cups All-purpose flour
- 1 Teaspoon Baking soda
- 1/2 Teaspoon Baking powder
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 3 Tablespoons Milk
Step-by-Step
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until everything is just combined.
- Shape the Dough: Roll the dough into balls (about 1 inch in size) and then roll them in sugar before placing them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden and the centers are still soft. Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
What to Serve Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies With
These cookies go wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a cup of hot tea, or a hot chocolate for a comforting treat. They also make an excellent addition to holiday dessert tables or as an after-dinner snack.
Top Tips for Perfecting Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies
- Use Very Softened Butter: Ensure the butter is at room temperature for a smooth dough.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes if you want even softer, thicker cookies.
- Roll the Dough in Sugar: For a sweet, slightly crunchy outer texture, roll your dough balls in sugar before baking.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on your cookies, and pull them out while they still look a little underbaked in the center. The cookies will set as they cool.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storage: Store your sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate them.
Reheating: If your cookies start to lose their softness, simply warm them in the microwave for about 5-10 seconds.
Why Did My Sugar Cookies Spread?
If your sugar cookies spread too much during baking, it’s likely because the dough was too warm or the butter was too soft. Try chilling the dough before baking to prevent excessive spreading.
How to Get a Crinkly Top in Sugar Cookies
To achieve that signature crinkly top, slightly underbake your cookies and press them gently with a fork or the back of a spoon right after they come out of the oven.
Can I Make This Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe With a Hand Mixer?
Yes, you can! A hand mixer works just fine for mixing the dough. If you prefer a stand mixer, that’s perfectly fine as well.
What Kind of Baking Sheet is Best for Cookies?
Use a light-colored baking sheet for the best results. Dark baking sheets tend to over-brown cookies too quickly, which can lead to overbaking.
Should I Line My Baking Sheets with Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats?
Either works great! Both parchment paper and silicone baking mats help to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
Why Use a Cookie Scoop?
A cookie scoop helps ensure that all your cookies are the same size, which promotes even baking and gives a uniform look to the batch.
Do You Need to Chill Sugar Cookie Dough?
While chilling the dough is optional, it helps prevent spreading and creates a thicker, softer cookie.
How Long to Bake Drop Style Sugar Cookies
For drop-style sugar cookies, bake them for 8-10 minutes at 350°F (175°C) until the edges are lightly golden.
Can This Recipe Be Used For Cut-out Cookies?
Yes! If you prefer cut-out sugar cookies, simply chill the dough longer and roll it out before cutting into shapes.
How to Decorate Sugar Cookies
Once your cookies are cool, decorate them with frosting, sprinkles, or edible glitter for a festive touch. You can also dip the tops in melted chocolate or drizzle with icing for a sweet finish.
How to Store Sugar Cookies
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze them for longer storage.
Can You Freeze Sugar Cookies?
Yes! You can freeze sugar cookies, either before or after baking. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Why These Are the Best Sugar Cookies
- Soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture: The perfect balance of sugar and butter makes for a rich, tender bite.
- Thick and pillowy: These cookies are not flat or crispy; they’re thick and soft!
- Slightly underbaked centers: A little underbaking gives them that chewy texture everyone loves.
Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies FAQs
How do I store the cookies?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Can I make cut-out sugar cookies with this recipe?
Yes, simply chill the dough longer and roll it out for cut-out shapes.
Does the sugar cookie dough need to be chilled?
Chilling is optional, but it helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
Can the cookies be frozen?
Yes, they freeze wonderfully! Wrap tightly and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Tips for Baking the Perfect Chewy Sugar Cookies
- Use very softened butter
- Measure your flour properly – don’t pack it into the measuring cup.
- Use a cookie cutter – right when they come out of the oven, use a large round cutter to reshape them.
Tips for Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies
- Bigger is better: Opt for slightly larger cookies for a softer center.
- Chill the dough: This prevents spreading and keeps the cookies thicker.
- Roll the dough in sugar: For that perfect, slightly crunchy outer texture.
Decorating Sugar Cookies
- Sprinkles, icing, and chocolate: Add extra fun to your cookies by decorating them with different toppings.
Craving More Cookies? Try These Easy and Delicious Recipes:
- Peanut Butter Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 177kcal (9%), Carbohydrates: 27g (9%), Protein: 2g (4%), Fat: 7g (11%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.001g, Cholesterol: 16mg (5%), Sodium: 207mg (9%), Potassium: 27mg (1%), Fiber: 0.5g (2%), Sugar: 14g (16%), Vitamin A: 297IU (6%), Vitamin C: 0.02mg, Calcium: 28mg (3%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary, and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees about the accuracy of this information.
Chewy Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until everything is just combined.
- Shape the Dough: Roll the dough into balls (about 1 inch in size) and then roll them in sugar before placing them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden, and the centers are still soft. Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
