Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe
Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies that combine a perfect balance of sweet buttery flavor with a tender, chewy texture. These classic cookies are easy to make, featuring a simple dough chilled and baked to golden perfection, ideal for any occasion or a delightful snack.
- Author: Mila
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (can be substituted with a dairy-free alternative)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (can be substituted for gluten-free flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Preparation: Start by beating the softened unsalted butter with both granulated and brown sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which ensures a tender texture for the cookies.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Thoroughly mix in the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar until well combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Incorporate Flour Mixture: Gradually add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can make cookies tough.
- Chill Dough: Wrap your cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the dough firm up, preventing excessive spreading during baking.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the optimal temperature for baking soft cookies.
- Form Cookies: Scoop the chilled dough into balls and optionally roll them lightly in sugar for a sweet, crunchy exterior.
- Bake: Place the dough balls on a lined baking sheet, spacing them adequately, and bake for 8–10 minutes or until the edges are just set but the centers remain soft, providing that desirable chewy texture.
Notes
- Butter can be substituted with a dairy-free alternative for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan.
- All-purpose flour can be replaced with a gluten-free flour blend to make the cookies gluten-free.
- Do not overbake; remove cookies as soon as edges are set to keep a soft center.
- Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Rolling cookie dough balls in sugar before baking adds a slight crunch and extra sweetness.
Keywords: sugar cookies, soft cookies, chewy cookies, classic cookies, butter cookies, easy cookie recipe