Description
These Chewy Sugar Cookies are delightfully soft with a tender crumb and a sweet, buttery flavor. Perfectly balanced with a slight crisp on the edges and chewy centers, they make a classic treat ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is light in color and fluffy in texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large room temperature egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, ensuring a smooth, homogenous mixture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to maintain tenderness in the cookies.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each portion into a ball. Then roll each dough ball in granulated sugar for an added sweet, crackly coating.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the sugared dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading without merging.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until the edges are set and the centers look slightly underbaked for optimal chewiness.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Do not overbake the cookies as this will reduce their chewy texture; the centers should appear slightly underbaked when you remove them from the oven.
- If you are concerned about the cookies spreading too much during baking, chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping and baking.
- Room temperature egg helps achieve a smoother dough and better texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
