Homemade Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe That Melts Hearts

Sugar cookies represent the quintessential comfort treat that sparks joy in every bite.

Sweet, nostalgic memories dance through kitchens when these delectable rounds emerge from warm ovens.

Bakers understand the magic behind creating perfectly textured cookies that melt softly on your tongue.

Crisp edges and tender centers define the ultimate sugar cookie experience for dessert enthusiasts.

Achieving that ideal balance requires precise ingredients and careful technique that elevates simple components into extraordinary delights.

Professional and home bakers alike seek the holy grail of cookie perfection—a recipe that guarantees consistent, irresistible results.

Mastering these classic treats means understanding fundamental baking principles that elevate a basic recipe into something spectacular.

The Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies People Rave About

• Create Bakery-Style Softness: These sugar cookies deliver that melt-in-your-mouth texture professional bakeries achieve, with a perfect balance between crisp edges and incredibly tender centers.
• Minimal Effort, Maximum Reward: The recipe requires basic ingredients and simple mixing techniques, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels, from novice to experienced home cooks.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Classic sugar cookies work wonderfully for multiple occasions- from holiday gatherings and birthday parties to casual weekend treats that everyone will adore.
• Quick Comfort Baking: With just 15-20 minutes of total preparation and baking time, these cookies offer speedy satisfaction when craving something sweet and homemade without extensive kitchen work.

What Goes into the Best Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base structure and texture for the soft sugar cookies.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help the cookies rise and become fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness, creates a tender crumb, and helps with the cookie's soft texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and contributes to the chewy, golden-brown exterior.
• Large Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor that complements the sweetness of the cookies.

• Granulated Sugar (for rolling): Creates a crisp, sparkling exterior and adds a sweet crunch to the cookie.

Directions for Sugar Cookie Perfection

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Grab all your ingredients and equipment.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

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

Whisk these ingredients together until fully blended.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

• Softened butter
• White sugar
• Brown sugar

Beat on medium speed until the mixture looks light, fluffy, and creamy (about 2-3 minutes).

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

• Egg
• Vanilla extract

Mix thoroughly after each addition until smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Stir gently until just mixed. The dough will feel thick and slightly dense.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Dough

Scoop dough into small balls (about 1 1/2 tablespoons). Roll each ball in extra granulated sugar for a sparkling coating.

Step 7: Arrange on Baking Sheet

Place sugar-coated dough balls on prepared sheets. Space them 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide cookies into preheated oven. Bake for 7-8 minutes until edges turn slightly golden. Cookies will look puffy and soft.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 4-5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Watch them settle into deliciously soft treats.

• Use room temperature ingredients for best results
• Don't overmix the dough
• Store in airtight container to maintain softness

Sugar Cookie Tips for a Soft Center and Crisp Edge

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour and sugar to ensure the perfect cookie texture and prevent dry or overly sweet results.
• Soften Butter Correctly: Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes until soft but not melted, creating the ideal creamy base for fluffy cookies.
• Don't Overmix: Stop mixing as soon as dry ingredients are incorporated to keep cookies tender and prevent tough, dense results.
• Chill for Better Spread: Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes before baking to control cookie spread and enhance flavor development.
• Watch Baking Time Carefully: Remove cookies when edges are just slightly golden, as they'll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet and prevent overbaking.

How to Store Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Right

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Place cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Reheat: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness and bring back that fresh-from-the-oven taste.

Sips and Treats That Go with Sugar Cookies

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Latte: The soft, sweet sugar cookies complement the smooth, rich espresso and velvety milk, creating a delightful balance of flavors that enhances the cookie's subtle sweetness.
• Match with Cold Milk Twist: A classic glass of cold milk provides a refreshing contrast to the warm, sugary cookies, cutting through the sweetness and offering a classic, comforting combination.
• Serve alongside Fruity Herbal Tea: A light, berry-infused herbal tea brings a bright, tangy note that beautifully offsets the cookie's rich, buttery texture, creating a sophisticated dessert experience.

Soft Sugar Cookie Twists and Toppings to Try

• Holiday Sparkle Cookies: Add colorful sprinkles or sanding sugar to the rolled dough balls for festive, eye-catching treats perfect for celebrations.
• Citrus Zinger Cookies: Mix in fresh lemon or orange zest to the dough for a bright, tangy flavor that lightens the traditional sugar cookie.
• Nutty Crunch Edition: Fold chopped pecans or sliced almonds into the dough for a delightful textural contrast and rich, toasted undertone.
• Chocolate Chip Classic: Gently stir in mini chocolate chips before rolling the dough balls, creating a beloved sweet variation that kids and adults will adore.

Best Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Classic sugar cookies deliver pure sweet comfort with a delicate crisp edge and pillowy center. Buttery vanilla dough promises irresistible homemade goodness you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (224g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 large egg
• 2 ¾ cups (358g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons (233g) granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons (28g) light brown sugar

Leavening Agents:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder

Flavoring and Finishing:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup sugar (for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Prepare your workspace by heating the oven to a moderate temperature and lining baking sheets with non-stick surfaces.
2. Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, ensuring an even distribution of flour, leavening agents, and salt.
3. In a separate large bowl, blend butter and sugars using an electric mixer until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency.
4. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly to create a smooth, uniform base.
5. Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring carefully to prevent overmixing. The dough should form a cohesive, slightly dense texture.
6. Shape the cookie dough into uniform rounds, rolling each ball in a coating of granulated sugar for a sparkling exterior.
7. Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets, maintaining adequate spacing to allow for spreading during baking.
8. Bake the cookies until the edges develop a delicate golden hue and the centers appear soft and pillowy.
9. Let the freshly baked cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet to stabilize their structure, then transfer to a cooling rack to reach room temperature.

Notes

• Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smooth, even mixing that creates a luxurious cookie texture.
• Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking helps prevent excessive spreading and maintains the cookies’ perfect shape.
• Roll cookie balls generously in granulated sugar to create a delightful crackly exterior that adds extra sweetness and crunch.
• Cookies will look slightly underbaked when removed from the oven but will continue setting while cooling, guaranteeing a soft, tender result.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain their irresistible chewy consistency.
• For best results, use fresh baking powder and baking soda to ensure maximum rise and a light, airy cookie structure.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 166
• Sugar: 11g
• Sodium: 83mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 23g
• Fiber: 0.4g
• Protein: 1.5g
• Cholesterol: 31mg