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
