Dreamy Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Baking the perfect soft and chewy sugar cookies demands precision and love.

These delightful treats bring pure joy with their melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet simplicity.

Every bite of homemade sugar cookies promises comfort and nostalgia.

The secret lies in balancing butter, sugar, and flour to create that irresistible softness.

Each cookie emerges from the oven golden-edged and tender, ready to delight taste buds.

Mastering this classic recipe ensures you’ll have a go-to dessert that everyone adores.

Dive into this delectable journey and let the magic of sugar cookies unfold.

Baking Tools For Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Medium bowl: Ideal for whisking dry ingredients together.
• Baking sheets: Essential for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Whisk: Great for combining dry ingredients without lumps.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Helps cream butter and sugar to fluffy perfection.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and avoid soggy bottoms.
• Cookie scoop or tablespoon: Helps create uniform cookie sizes.

Steps To Make Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookies

• Oven Warmup

Crank up your oven to a toasty 350F. Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper for cookie magic.

• Butter Bliss

In a roomy mixing bowl, whip the softened butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud of deliciousness. Keep beating until the mixture looks light and dreamy.

• Egg Dance

Crack in the egg and splash of vanilla. Mix everything until smooth and perfectly combined.

• Flour Power

Gently fold in the dry ingredients. Stir just enough to bring the dough together – no need for serious arm workouts.

• Cookie Formation

Scoop out small rounds of dough and roll them into sugar-coated balls. Space these little gems about two inches apart on your prepared sheets.

• Baking Moment

Slide the sheets into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. You’re looking for golden edges and centers that still look slightly soft and tender.

• Cooling Celebration

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Give them time to cool and set their perfect texture.

Tricks To Keep Sugar Cookies Moist

• Baking Brilliance: Pro Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookies
• Room Temperature Magic: Always use butter and eggs at room temperature to ensure smooth, even mixing and a tender cookie texture. Cold ingredients can make your dough crumbly and difficult to work with.
• Sugar Coating Secrets: Roll dough balls generously in granulated sugar for a delightful crackly exterior and extra sweetness. Shake off excess sugar to prevent burning during baking.
• Soft Cookie Strategy: Take cookies out when edges are just turning golden and centers look slightly underbaked. They'll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet and remain wonderfully soft and chewy.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies celiac-friendly. Add a pinch of xanthan gum for better texture if your blend doesn't include it.
• Flavor Adventure: Experiment with different extract combinations like orange, lemon, or coconut to create unique taste profiles. A dash of cinnamon or cardamom can also transform these classic cookies into something extraordinary.

Ways To Serve Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookies Fresh

• Sweet Celebration Platter: Arrange cookies on a festive dessert tray with colorful sprinkles scattered around, perfect for birthday parties or holiday gatherings.
• Cozy Milk Pairing: Serve warm cookies alongside a tall glass of cold milk or creamy hot chocolate for a classic comfort food experience that brings instant joy.
• Dessert Decoration Station: Create a fun interactive dessert bar with various toppings like colored frosting, chocolate drizzle, crushed candy canes, or rainbow sprinkles so guests can personalize their sugar cookies.
• Elegant Tea Time Treat: Plate these delicate cookies on a beautiful ceramic dish next to a steaming cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea for an afternoon indulgence that feels both sophisticated and nostalgic.

Store Sugar Cookies Soft For Days

• Smart Cookie Storage Solutions
• Airtight Container Magic: Keep cookies fresh by storing them in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to baking time.
• Cool Down Strategy: Let cookies cool completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup that could make them soggy. Room temperature works best for maintaining their soft texture.
• Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Bake a double batch and separate cookies into portion-sized bags. Grab-and-go treats are perfect for quick snacks or unexpected guests, staying delicious for several days.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 11

Ingredients For Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and softness to the cookies, ensuring a tender crumb.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Leavening agents that help the cookies rise and create a light, airy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Butter: Adds richness, creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture, and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and contributes to their crisp edges and soft center.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent, providing structure and helping to create a chewy consistency.
• Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract: Adds depth of flavor and aromatic notes to the cookies.

• Extra Granulated Sugar: Creates a sparkling, sweet crust on the outside of the cookies and adds a delightful crunch.

Irresistible Sugar Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Sugar cookies from grandma’s kitchen blend nostalgic comfort with sweet simplicity. Delicate edges and rich butter create a classic treat perfect for family gatherings and holiday celebrations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 2 ½ cups (312 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp baking powder
• Sprinkles (optional)
• Frosting (optional)

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350F (175C) and drape parchment paper across two baking sheets, creating a pristine landing zone for the cookies.
2. Dry Ingredient Harmony: Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, whisking until the mixture achieves a consistent, cloud-like texture that promises structural integrity.
3. Butter Transformation: Whip butter and granulated sugar into a voluminous, pale cream through vigorous beating, aerating the mixture until it becomes impossibly light and expansive.
4. Flavor Infusion: Merge egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the creamed butter, blending until the mixture achieves a silky, cohesive consistency that hints at the delectable treats to come.
5. Dough Orchestration: Tenderly fold dry and wet ingredients together, minimizing manipulation to preserve the dough’s delicate nature, ceasing mixing the instant ingredients unite.
6. Cookie Sculpting: Craft precise dough spheres by scooping and rolling, then lavishly coat each in granulated sugar, creating a crystalline exterior that promises a sparkling crunch.
7. Baking Choreography: Arrange sugar-coated dough balls on prepared sheets with strategic spacing, allowing room for elegant expansion during the baking ritual.
8. Thermal Perfection: Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for golden-kissed edges while maintaining a center that whispers of tender, barely-baked promise, then remove from the oven with precision.
9. Cooling Ritual: Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet, then transition to a wire rack, completing their transformation into the ultimate soft and chewy sugar cookie experience.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened but not melted for the perfect creamy base, which helps create that signature soft and chewy texture.
• Minimal Mixing Technique: Stop mixing the dough the instant ingredients combine to prevent tough, dense cookies – overmixing breaks down gluten and ruins the delicate structure.
• Sugar Coating Trick: Roll cookies generously in granulated sugar before baking for a sparkling, crisp exterior that contrasts beautifully with the soft interior.
• Precise Baking Time: Watch cookies carefully during the 8-10 minute window; golden edges with a slightly underbaked center guarantee maximum chewiness and prevent dry, crumbly results.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg