If you’ve ever dreamed of baking the ultimate treat that melts in your mouth with just the right amount of sweetness, look no further than these Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies. These cookies balance a tender crumb with a delicate crisp on the edges, creating that perfect texture you crave. Biting into one feels like a warm hug, showcasing how simple ingredients can transform into a delightful classic. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies will quickly become your go-to for any occasion.

Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind these Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies lies in the straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together effortlessly. Each component plays a vital role, from the buttery richness to the gentle lift that keeps the texture soft but structured.

All-purpose flour (2 ½ cups): The foundation that gives the cookies structure without being too dense.

Baking powder (½ teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise slightly for a light, tender crumb.
Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Works with the acid from the butter to add softness and slight browning.

Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Unsalted butter (¾ cup or 1 ½ sticks), softened: Provides richness and moisture, making every bite melt-in-your-mouth good.

Granulated sugar (1 ¼ cups plus ¼ cup for rolling, optional): Sweetens the dough and gives a subtle crunch on the outside when rolled in sugar.
Large egg (1): Binds the ingredients and adds moisture for softness.
Egg yolk (1): Boosts richness and softness without adding extra liquid.

Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Adds warmth and depth to the flavor.

How to Make Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350° F. This ensures the perfect temperature when the dough is ready to bake. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. These small prep steps make all the difference for your cookies to bake evenly and come off the trays smoothly.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This combination ensures your cookies will have just the right lift and tenderness. Taking the time to evenly distribute these ingredients is key to consistent results with every batch.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until creamy. Start on a low speed to avoid sugar flying everywhere, then crank it up to medium-high. This step is crucial because the creamed butter traps air, helping your cookies stay soft but light. Once creamy, add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until just combined. Be sure to scrape down the bowl edges so everything blends perfectly.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Now add the flour mixture to your butter-sugar mixture on low speed. Mixing gently at first prevents tough cookies and keeps your dough tender. The dough will feel somewhat firm—that’s exactly what you want for shaping the cookies into balls that hold their form but still bake up soft.

Step 5: Shape and Bake

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls for perfectly sized cookies. If you like a little extra sparkle and crunch on top, roll each ball in the reserved granulated sugar. Space them about 3 inches apart on your lined baking sheet to give them room to spread without touching. Bake one sheet at a time for 8 to 10 minutes, keeping a close eye so they don’t overbake. The tops should be just about set, and bottoms should have a light golden hue. Remember, they’ll still be soft and slightly puffed as you take them out but will flatten beautifully as they cool.

How to Serve Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

While these Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies are delightful on their own, a dusting of powdered sugar or a quick drizzle of melted chocolate can elevate their charm. Sprinkling a pinch of colored sugar before baking also adds a festive touch, perfect for celebrations or gift-giving.

Side Dishes

Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies pair wonderfully with a variety of beverages – a tall glass of cold milk, a hot cup of coffee, or fragrant tea all boost their sweetness and comfort factor. For a snack platter, try serving them alongside fresh fruit or creamy dips like chocolate ganache or whipped cream for dipping.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to impress your guests? Stack these cookies with layers of rich frosting or sandwich your favorite ice cream between two cookies for a fun dessert twist. Decorating the cookies with royal icing or edible glitter adds a personal touch, making them standout treats at any party.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies left after the initial excitement, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay perfectly soft and fresh for up to a week, thanks to their moisture-rich dough.

Freezing

You can freeze either the dough or the baked cookies! For dough, shape into balls and freeze on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag—bake straight from frozen but add a couple of minutes to the baking time. Baked cookies freeze beautifully without losing their soft, chewy texture; just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Reheating

To bring out fresh-from-the-oven warmth, pop your Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm them in a low oven for a few minutes. This revives their softness and makes them taste like they were just baked.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

You can, but be sure to reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe. Using unsalted butter gives you more control over the salt level and flavor balance.

What if I don’t have both an egg and an egg yolk?

For best results, use both since the extra yolk adds richness and softness. However, if you only have whole eggs, you can experiment with two eggs but might notice a slightly different texture.

How do I make these cookies more festive?

Add colored sugar or sprinkles before baking, or decorate afterward with icing and edible decorations. You can also sandwich them with frosting or spread to make delightful cookie sandwiches.

Why are my sugar cookies too flat or spreading too much?

This usually happens when the dough is too warm or there’s too much butter softening. Chill your dough briefly before baking and make sure to space your cookies well.

Can I substitute granulated sugar with brown sugar?

Brown sugar adds moisture and a deeper flavor, which might make cookies softer and chewier. Feel free to swap half the granulated sugar for brown sugar to tweak the texture and taste.

Final Thoughts

These Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies are truly the perfect classic cookie—simple to make but endlessly satisfying. Once you taste their buttery, tender crumb with that just-right chew, you’ll want to keep them on hand for every occasion. So go ahead, bake a batch, share with loved ones, and let these warm little delights brighten your day.

Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 28 reviews

Author: lina

Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delight in these Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies, featuring a perfect balance of tender crumb and subtle vanilla sweetness. Easy to prepare with simple pantry ingredients, these cookies deliver a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s ideal for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

¾ cup unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks), softened but slightly cool

1 ¼ cups granulated sugar (plus ¼ cup for rolling, optional)
1 large egg
1 egg yolk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.

Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter and 1 ¼ cups of granulated sugar at low speed initially, then increase to medium-high until the mixture is creamy and smooth.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract into the creamed butter mixture, mixing on medium speed until fully combined. Scrape down the sides as necessary to ensure all ingredients are evenly blended.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a firm dough forms. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender cookie texture.

Form Dough Balls: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Optionally, roll each ball in the remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar for a delightful sugary crust on the cookies.
Arrange and Bake: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets about 3 inches apart. Bake one sheet at a time for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookie tops are nearly set and bottoms are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to preserve softness and chewiness.
Cool and Serve: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet where they will flatten as they cool, achieving the signature soft and chewy texture. Transfer to a wire rack once cooled.

Notes

Make sure butter is softened but still cool to maintain cookie texture.
Do not overbake; cookies may appear slightly underdone when removed but will set as they cool.
Rolling dough balls in sugar before baking adds a pleasant crunch and sparkle.

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
For a festive touch, consider adding colored sugar or sprinkles before baking.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking

Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie (about 28g)
Calories: 140

Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 90mg
Fat: 7g

Saturated Fat: 4.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g

Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 1.5g

Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: soft sugar cookies, chewy sugar cookies, classic sugar cookies, easy cookie recipe, homemade cookies, vanilla sugar cookies