Last Updated on April 4, 2022 by Kathryn Donangelo
These are the BEST Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies! These cookies require no chilling and are easy to make! This Soft & Chewy Sugar cookie recipe is perfect for any occasion!
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SOFT & CHEWY SUGAR COOKIES
If you are looking for the best Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookie recipe you have come to the right place on the internet. I love this recipe so much because these cookies are everything I can dream about in a sugar cookie. Sugar cookies and Snickerdoodles tie for my top favorite cookies. This recipe requires no chilling and you need basic ingredients that you most likely already have.
This recipe is by far my favorite sugar cookie recipes and tastes like a bakery-style cookie! These cookies are easy to make, quick, and can be made for any occasion! You can add your favorite sprinkles to add some fun and color for a special occasion! These cookies are just so perfect, there truly isn’t another sugar cookie quite like this one.
CAN YOU ROLL THESE COOKIES OUT AND USE COOKIE CUTTERS?
No. This sugar cookie dough is a bit softer then your standard roll out cookie dough. The dough would need a vast amount of flour and the cookies just wouldn’t be the same. One of the best things about this recipe is you don’t need to bust out your rolling pin! All you do is simply scoop the dough, roll, and bake. Easy peasy.
INGREDIENTS TO MAKE THESE SOFT & CHEWY SUGAR COOKIES
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST SUGAR COOKIES
To make this sugar cookie recipe, I use an mini ice cream scoop to scoop the dough and roll it in a ball, then I roll it into granulated sugar. The additional sugar coating makes these cookies a bit crispy on the edges and makes them extra pretty and sparkly. Rolling the cookies in sugar is optional but I highly recommend it!
HOW TO MAKE AHEAD, STORE, & FREEZE
Make ahead: I love making cookies ahead of time and storing them in my freezer so we always have cookies available! To do this simply make the sugar cookie recipe, roll the cookie dough balls in sugar, and place the cookie dough balls on a lined baking sheet. Place the cookies into the freezer and freeze for 1 hour so the cookies are firm. Transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe zip lock bag (gallon size works great) and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to bake your frozen cookies, simply place the cookies on a baking sheet and bake as directed, adding about 3-4 minutes to the baking time.
Store: once the cookies are baked, place them in an airtight container or place them on a plate and wrap with plastic wrap. Store the cookies for up to 1 week on a cool counter area.
Freeze: these baked sugar cookies freeze nicely! To freeze simply place the baked cookies in a freezer-safe zip lock bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to defrost, remove the cookies from the freezer and let them thaw for a few hours.
TIPS & TRICKS
Be sure to press each cookie dough ball down to flatten them a bit before baking. This will help the cookies spread into the round shape when they’re baking.
If you want your cookies to have more of an almond flavor, swap the vanilla extra for almond extract.
It’s important to make sure you properly measure out all of the ingredients. The sugar and fat (butter) ratio is key to making these soft and chewy.
Make sure the butter is at room temperature, not melted. Room temperature butter holds the air and moisture, making these cookies moist in the baking process.
HOW TO DECORATE SUGAR COOKIES
These cookies are perfect for any time of the year and any occasion, not just Christmas! You can use themed colors or sprinkles depending on the occasion or holiday.
- Sprinkles: to add sprinkles to these cookies, simply roll the cookie dough balls in sprinkles instead of sugar. Any sprinkles can be used. Rainbow sprinkles are my favorite and would make fun birthday or celebration cookies!
- Frosting: if using frosting, do not roll cookie dough balls in sugar. Once the cookies are cooled, spread your favorite icing on top. Any frosting would be delicious with this recipe! Adding a pinch of sprinkles on top is always fun!
- Confetti cookies: another fun twist with sprinkles is to add 1/4 cup of sprinkles to the cookie dough for a confetti sugar cookie. The sprinkles would be inside the dough and make these cookies look extra fun!
LOOKING FOR OTHER EASY COOKIE RECIPES? TRY THESE!
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Easy Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies
- Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
- Circus Animal Cookie Bars
- Lucky Charms Cookies
- Copycat Crumbl Sugar Cookies
- White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies
- Cake Batter Sprinkle Cookies
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Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter; room temperature
- 1 cup sugar plus 1/4 cup extra sugar for rolling
- 1 egg
- 1 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lines 2 cookie sheets with a silpat mat or parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy- about 1 minute. Add the egg and vanilla extra and beat until combined.
- Slowly add the flour mixture in 1/2 cup increments, mixing to combine each increment. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Once a the cookie dough is formed use a small ice cream scoop and form the cookie dough balls. Roll the dough balls in sugar and place on the cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes until the cookies have lightly spread. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to press each cookie dough ball down to flatten them a bit before baking. This will help the cookies spread into the round shape when they're baking.
- If you want your cookies to have more of an almond flavor, swap the vanilla extra for almond extract.
- It's important to make sure you properly measure out all of the ingredients. The sugar and fat (butter) ratio is key to making these soft and chewy.
- Make sure the butter is at room temperature, not melted. Room temperature butter holds the air and moisture, making these cookies moist in the baking process.
Yaaaaassss everyone needs an amazing easy sugar cookie recipe in their lives! I love that you don’t have to roll these out! That’s what a sugar cookie should be about 🙂
Love soft and chewy cookies. These look perfect for any occasion. So yum!
Gosh I could probably eat the whole batch! These look so good with that soft center and little bit of crisp to the edge. When you’re craving something sweet and simple, these are perfect!
The sugar cookies to fight for! I mean the texture looks just perfect – exactly what I would really enjoy. So ready to fill in my cookie jar with these!
What can be better than simple classic sugar cookies! They are perfectly buttery and delicious!
They look perfect, wonderfully soft, and light in color, exactly the way I like sugar cookies! Can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Nothing beats a perfect homemade sugar cookie! Your cookies look buttery, chewy and delicious.
I love a sugar cookie and these look exactly how I like them! I could probably eat the whole batch. Recipe pinned and bookmarked, I am making these asap.
Wow, these look so soft and like the perfect texture! Can’t wait to try
These are SO good I made them twice in one weekend! I used almond extract instead of vanilla..and I couldn’t stop eating them. Seriously..they are insanely delicious!♥️
Thank you so much, Molly! I am SO glad you loved them. These sugar cookies are one of my favorites and the almond extract is a great idea!