The BEST Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookie Recipe

This recipe produces irresistibly soft and chewy sugar cookies starring unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Combined with all purpose flour and a hint of salt, these treats offer a perfectly balanced flavor ideal for holiday gatherings and festive celebrations. Enjoy a delightful bite of seasonal cheer truly unforgettable.

I’m excited to share my BEST Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookie Recipe with you this holiday season that makes a perfect addition to your Christmas cookie tray. I started by mixing 2 3/4 cups of all purpose flour with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.

Using 1 cup of unsalted butter that is nicely softened, I creamed it together with 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. I then mixed in a large egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

This simple soft sugar cookie recipe is designed to give you cookies that are thick, chewy and delightfully soft every time. Its balanced ingredients not only makes them delicious but they bring a comforting texture perfect for anyone lookin for an easy sugar cookie recipe without the hassle of chilling the dough.

I know you’ll love makin these cookies as much as I do.

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s super easy to follow, even when I’m not exactly a baking expert. The steps are straightforward and make me feel confident in the kitchen.

I really like that the cookies come out soft and chewy every single time. There’s something comforting about that texture that always makes me smile when I bite into one.

I also appreciate how perfect these cookies are for the holidays. They look great on my christmas cookie tray and everyone always asks me for the recipe.

Lastly, I enjoy that all the ingredients are simple and something I usually have around the house. It means I don’t have to run to the store for some weird ingredient, which is a huge plus for me.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour: main carb source that gives structure and a bit of nutrition.
• Baking soda: helps cookies rise, giving em a light and soft texture.
• Baking powder: works with other leaveners to create a tender, cakey crumb.
• Salt: boosts flavor and helps balance out the sweetness in the cookies.
• Unsalted butter: adds creaminess and rich taste, keeping cookies moist and yummy.
• Granulated sugar: makes cookies sweet and creates crispy, caramelized edges.
• Egg: acts as a binder and gives protein, making the cookies hold together well.
• Vanilla extract: brings a warm, aromatic flavor that really wakes up the taste.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a bowl, whisk together the 2 3/4 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

3. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup unsalted butter (softened) with 1 cup granulated sugar until the mixture is light and creamy.

4. Add 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract into the butter mixture and beat until they’re well mixed.

5. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined – dont overmix it!

6. Scoop heaping teaspoons of the dough and roll them into balls, then place them on the baking sheet with enough space between each.

7. Flatten each ball slightly with your hand or the back of a spoon to help them spread a bit.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for about 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges start to turn just a little golden.

9. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

10. Enjoy these soft and chewy cookies fresh or store in an airtight container for later – perfect for the holidays and your christmas cookie tray!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven preheated to 350°F
2. Baking sheet
3. Parchment paper
4. Medium bowl for whisking together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt
5. Large mixing bowl for beating butter and sugar
6. Whisk (for the dry ingredients)
7. Electric mixer or hand mixer for creaming the butter and sugar
8. Teaspoon scoop (or a regular teaspoon to portion the dough)
9. Cooling rack for letting the cookies cool before storing or eating

FAQ

The BEST Soft And Chewy Sugar Cookie Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have all purpose flour, try whole wheat flour instead. It changes things up a bit and the cookies might be a bit denser.
• You can substitute salted butter for unsalted, but make sure to reduce added salt in the recipe a little.
• If granulated sugar isn’t on hand, brown sugar works pretty well. The cookies may turn out softer and with a deeper flavor.
• No egg? No problem. Use a flax egg by mixing 1 tbsp flaxseed meal with 3 tbsp water as a good alternative.
• Instead of vanilla extract, you could use almond extract for a different taste. Use about half as much though.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you dont overmix the dough once you add the flour. Overdoing it can make your cookies tough instead of light and chewy, so stir until you just combine everything.
2. Chill your dough for about 30 minutes before scooping. This not only helps the cookies keep their shape during baking but also intensifies the flavors.
3. Use a cookie scoop or balanced spoon to portion the dough. Getting even sized cookies is key so they all bake at the same pace and you dont end up with some burnt and some underdone.
4. If you wanna experiment a bit, try letting your butter sit out a little longer to really soften, or even give a slight browning for a nutty flavor. Just be extra careful cause too much browning might give an off taste.