There’s nothing quite as nostalgic or comforting as biting into a Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe that tastes like it was made with all the love in the world. These cookies are the perfect blend of buttery richness and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, crowned with a sweet, sparkly sugar coating. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering, treating yourself after a long day, or introducing someone to this classic for the first time, this recipe never fails to delight. Get ready to create the kind of cookies that disappear as soon as they hit the cooling rack!

Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t need a packed pantry or any fancy ingredients, just the classics that work together perfectly for flavor, texture, and that irresistible sugar-crusted finish. Each one plays its part in creating the dreamy chew and golden edges that make this Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe a true favorite.

All-purpose flour: The foundation of these cookies, giving them structure while keeping them soft and fluffy.
Baking soda: Adds lift, resulting in cookies that puff up just enough for the perfect texture.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise and become delightfully tender.
Salt: A tiny pinch balances out the sweetness and brings all the flavors to life.
Unsalted butter (softened): Infuses every bite with rich, creamy goodness and creates the perfect chew.
Granulated sugar: Brings that classic sweet flavor and a crisp, sparkly coat on the outside.
Large egg: Binds the dough together and adds a little moisture for chewiness.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor with a warm, aromatic note that makes the cookies irresistible.
Milk: Helps keep the cookies soft and adds just the right amount of moisture.
Additional sugar for rolling: Gives each cookie its signature sugar-crusted exterior and extra sparkle.

How to Make Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep Your Pans

Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to bake. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; this keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This combines your leaveners evenly in the flour so you get that beautiful, uniform rise in every batch of the Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key—creaming aerates the butter and ensures your cookies turn out soft, not dense.

Step 4: Add the Wet Ingredients

Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and milk until the mixture is completely smooth. Each ingredient here brings moisture, richness, and amazing flavor to the dough.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing on low speed. Stop as soon as everything comes together; overmixing can make your cookies tough instead of chewy.

Step 6: Shape and Roll the Cookies

Scoop dough into 1½-inch balls—using a cookie scoop makes this so easy and keeps the cookies even. Roll each ball in a shallow bowl of granulated sugar, making sure every side has a generous sugar coat for that gorgeous sparkle and bite.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place the dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, giving them about 2 inches of space. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden and the centers still look a touch underdone. This is the magic that keeps them soft and chewy inside!

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Allow your cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. They’ll finish setting up as they cool—and trust me, a little patience here is rewarded with pure cookie bliss.

How to Serve Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

An extra sprinkle of coarse or colored sugar before baking adds festive flair to your Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe. You can also drizzle a bit of melted white chocolate once they’re cooled for a decadent touch, or dust with a pinch of cinnamon for something cozy.

Side Dishes

Pair your cookies with a tall glass of cold milk (of any variety), a mug of hot chocolate, or even some vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert combo. When serving a crowd, consider adding your cookies to a festive platter alongside brownies and fruit for an easy, beautiful dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack a few Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon for a homemade gift. For holidays, roll the dough in colored sugar before baking. Or, sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two cookies for luscious ice cream sandwiches that will have everyone clamoring for seconds!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They stay soft thanks to the perfect blend of butter and milk—just be sure to seal them tightly so they don’t dry out.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! You can freeze the baked cookies by layering them in a container with parchment paper between each layer, or freeze unbaked dough balls for fresh-baked treats anytime. If baking from frozen, simply add an extra minute or two to the bake time and keep an eye on those edges.

Reheating

If you want that just-baked warmth, pop a cookie in the microwave for 10–12 seconds. This revives their soft, gooey texture and releases the cookie’s vanilla aroma, making them taste like they just came out of the oven!

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough for the Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store it tightly wrapped in the fridge, then scoop and bake when you’re ready for that fresh cookie magic.

Why do my sugar cookies come out hard instead of soft?

Usually it’s from overbaking or using too much flour. To guarantee softness, pull the cookies from the oven when the centers look slightly underbaked—they’ll finish setting as they cool.

Can these cookies be decorated for holidays?

Definitely! Before baking, roll the dough in colored sanding sugar, or add small decorations after baking and cooling with a bit of royal icing or melted chocolate for seasonal flair.

Is it possible to use margarine or vegan butter?

Margarine or a plant-based butter can be substituted for regular butter if you need a dairy-free version. Texture may vary slightly, but you’ll still get a tasty Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe.

Can I freeze the dough?

Yes, shape the dough into balls and freeze them on a tray. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag. Pull out as many as you need and bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.

Final Thoughts

I hope this Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe finds a cherished place in your kitchen, just as it has in mine. Each bite brings a little bit of joy and warmth—whether you keep them classic or dress them up for a celebration, they’re sure to be a favorite. Give them a try soon, and watch how quickly they disappear!

Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

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

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Description

These Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies are a classic favorite, perfect for any occasion. With a delightful balance of sweetness and a tender texture, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1½ cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 tablespoons milk
Additional sugar for rolling

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk; mix until combined.
Combine and Scoop: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Scoop dough into balls, roll in granulated sugar.
Bake: Place on baking sheets and bake for 9–11 minutes until edges are golden and centers are slightly underbaked.
Cool and Enjoy: Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Do not overbake—cookies will continue to set as they cool.
For extra flavor, consider adding a touch of almond extract or rolling in colored sugar for holidays.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American