Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a classic cookie that’s both indulgently soft and perfectly chewy, you’ve just hit the jackpot. I’m so excited to share this Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe with you because it’s honestly one of my all-time favorites, and once you try it, I bet you’ll love it just as much as my family and I do. These cookies have that melt-in-your-mouth texture we all crave, paired with just the right sweetness and a buttery finish that feels like a warm hug from the oven. Ready to bake up some happiness? Let’s dive in!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe lies in how these straightforward ingredients come together to create such an irresistible treat. I always make sure my butter is just the right temperature to get that perfect texture, and the little extra egg yolk is a secret I discovered to give these cookies that dreamy chewiness.

• All-purpose flour: Provides the structure but keep it measured accurately to avoid dry or flat cookies.
• Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just enough without being cakey.
• Fine sea salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors beautifully.
• Unsalted butter: At cool room temperature for the right creamy texture and flavor control.
• Granulated sugar: You’ll use some in the dough and some for rolling for that extra sparkle and crunch.
• Egg and egg yolk: The yolk adds moisture and chewiness, while the egg white keeps them tender.
• Vanilla extract: This classic flavor booster makes the cookies smell and taste heavenly.

Variations

While this Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe is fantastic as is, I love tweaking it here and there depending on the occasion or what I have on hand. Feel free to get creative—the cookie dough is a great base for lots of yummy twists.

• Lemon Zest Twist: Adding fresh lemon zest into the dough brightens up the flavor, and my family especially loves this version in springtime.
• Chocolate-Dipped Delights: Dip half the cookie in melted dark or white chocolate after baking for an elegant touch.
• Almond Extract Swap: Substitute half the vanilla with almond extract for a nutty aroma that wakes up your taste buds.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make these suitable for gluten-sensitive friends without losing softness.

How to Make Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Dry Mix

First things first—preheat your oven to 350°F. I always line my baking sheets with parchment paper to make cleanup a breeze and prevent the cookies from sticking. Next, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and fine sea salt in a medium bowl. This ensures everything is evenly mixed before it meets the butter.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar to Fluffy Perfection

This is where the magic starts happening—the butter and sugar. Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or just a sturdy hand mixer), beat the butter and 1¼ cups sugar on medium-high until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. Make sure to scrape the sides of your bowl down as you go so nothing gets left behind. Trust me, this fluffy base is key to those soft, tender cookies.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla—Then Bake the Dough

Once your butter-sugar blend is perfectly whipped, add the whole egg, plus the extra egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Beat until everything is creamy and smooth. Then, gradually mix in the flour mixture on low speed until just combined—overmixing here will make your cookies tough, so go easy. Scoop the dough using a large (3-tablespoon) spring-loaded scoop, roll each ball in the remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar, and place them spaced about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. I like to press them down gently with the bottom of a measuring cup, which helps them bake evenly and keeps the thickness just right.

Step 4: Bake and Cool for the Perfect Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies

Bake the cookies for about 10 to 12 minutes, keeping an eye on them so they set but don’t over-brown. When they’re done, let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. I’ve learned letting them rest on the sheet first helps them finish cooking gently and keeps them soft. Once cool, they’re ready to enjoy—or store.

How to Serve Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple, sprinkling a little extra sugar on top before baking to catch the light. Sometimes, I’ll dust them lightly with powdered sugar or add a drizzle of melted chocolate once cooled when I want to impress guests or just feel fancy.

Side Dishes

These cookies go great with a cold glass of milk—old school and always comforting. I’ve also paired them with fruit-infused teas or lightly whipped cream to balance the sweetness for a delightful afternoon treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or parties, I like stacking them with wax paper in between to create a beautiful cookie tower wrapped in cellophane tied with a ribbon. Adding edible glitter or colorful sanding sugar before baking can make them festive for birthdays or celebrations.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay soft for up to 3 days. If you want to stretch that window, adding a slice of bread inside the container helps maintain moisture—trust me, that trick really works.

Freezing

You can freeze these cookie dough balls before baking—just scoop and roll in sugar, then freeze on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. When you want fresh cookies, pop them straight in the oven, adding a couple extra minutes to the bake time.

Reheating

To warm up leftover cookies, I pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds or heat briefly in a toaster oven. It refreshes the softness and brings back that just-baked feeling—perfect for a quick sweet fix.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe turns out every single time—it’s like a warm, comforting hug in cookie form. When I first tried it, I was thrilled to get such a perfect texture with simple ingredients, and now it’s become my go-to cookie for sharing with friends and family, or even just sneaking a few for myself. I hope you’ll enjoy making and eating these as much as I do; once you’ve got the hang of this recipe, you’ll find it’s a timeless classic you’ll want to bake over and over. Happy baking, friend!

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