Chewy Sugar Cookies

Who doesn’t love a warm, soft, and chewy sugar cookie? The kind that melts in your mouth with every bite, dusted with a sprinkle of sugar, and perfectly balanced in sweetness. These Chewy Sugar Cookies are everything you crave in a classic cookie, and they’re so easy to make! With the right balance of butter, sugar, and a touch of vanilla, you’ll have a batch of cookies that are both comforting and satisfying—perfect for any occasion. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become your go-to sugar cookie recipe!

Why You’ll Love Chewy Sugar Cookies

These cookies are a total crowd-pleaser, and here’s why you’ll love them as much as I do:

  • Perfectly Soft and Chewy: The secret to these cookies is all in the texture. They’re soft with just the right amount of chew, creating that perfect melt-in-your-mouth moment with each bite.
  • Quick and Easy: With simple ingredients and a straightforward method, you can have these cookies ready in no time. No need for chilling the dough—just mix, roll, and bake!
  • Kid-Friendly: These sugar cookies are ideal for baking with little ones or bringing to a party. They’re sweet, fun, and loved by kids and adults alike.
  • Customizable: Want to add a twist? You can sprinkle in some cinnamon, add colorful sprinkles, or dip them in chocolate for a fun variation.
  • Versatile: Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a special treat, or a simple snack, these cookies are always the perfect choice.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these soft and chewy sugar cookies:

  • Butter: This is the base of the cookie, giving it that rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Granulated sugar: Sweetness is key, and sugar gives these cookies that delightful crunch on the outside.
  • Eggs: They help hold everything together and contribute to the soft texture.
  • Vanilla extract: Adds a hint of warm, sweet flavor that makes these cookies extra special.
  • All-purpose flour: The foundation of the dough, giving the cookies their structure.
  • Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and stay soft.
  • Cream of tartar: Gives the cookies that chewy, tangy flavor and perfect texture.
  • Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavor.
  • Additional sugar (for rolling): A little extra sugar for coating the dough balls before baking, giving them that irresistible sugary sparkle.

(Note: Full ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card above.)

Instructions

Let’s dive into the steps to make these perfect, chewy sugar cookies:

Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly and gives them that beautiful golden color.

Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Then, add in the egg and vanilla extract, and continue to mix until everything is well combined. This will create the rich base of your dough.

Add the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Slowly add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix.

Roll the Dough into Balls

Using a spoon or your hands, scoop out small portions of the dough and roll them into balls (about 1-inch in diameter). Roll each dough ball in the additional sugar to coat the outside—this will give your cookies that sweet, sparkling finish!

Bake the Cookies

Place the dough balls on a baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to give them room to spread. Bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The cookies will continue to cook on the baking sheet once you take them out of the oven, so don’t worry if they’re a little soft when you pull them out.

Cool and Enjoy!

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once they’re cool enough to handle, grab a glass of milk and enjoy the perfect chewy sugar cookie!

Nutrition Facts

Servings: [Number of servings]
Calories per serving: [Calorie count per serving]

Preparation Time

  • Prep Time: [Time to prepare ingredients]
  • Cook Time: [Time to cook or bake]
  • Total Time: [Total time needed]

How to Serve Chewy Sugar Cookies

These chewy sugar cookies are delicious on their own, but here are a few ways to enjoy them:

  • With a Glass of Milk: The classic combo! There’s nothing better than dunking one of these cookies in a cold glass of milk.
  • With Coffee or Tea: These cookies also make a perfect pairing with your morning coffee or afternoon tea. Their sweetness complements a hot drink beautifully.
  • As a Gift: Pack them up in a cute tin or jar and share them with friends and family. They make a lovely homemade gift for any occasion.
  • With Ice Cream: Crumble one or two over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a fun dessert!

Additional Tips

  • Make-Ahead Tip: If you want to prep the dough ahead of time, you can wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to 48 hours. When you’re ready to bake, just roll the dough and bake as usual.
  • Storage Tips: Store your sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you’re making a large batch, they freeze wonderfully too. Just place the cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Customize the Flavor: Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm, cozy flavor. Or add colorful sprinkles for a festive twist!

FAQ Section

Q1: Can I use margarine instead of butter?
A1: While butter gives the best flavor and texture, you can substitute margarine in a pinch. Just keep in mind that the texture may be slightly different.

Q2: Can I freeze the dough?
A2: Yes! You can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw the dough in the fridge overnight, then roll and bake as usual.

Q3: How do I know when the cookies are done?
A3: The cookies are done when the edges are just starting to turn golden brown. They may seem a little soft in the center, but they’ll firm up as they cool.

Q4: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A4: Absolutely! You can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup like regular flour.

Q5: How do I store leftover cookies?
A5: Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage.

And there you have it—your perfect batch of Chewy Sugar Cookies. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion, a treat for yourself, or to share with loved ones, these cookies are sure to be a hit. Enjoy every bite!

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Chewy Sugar Cookies


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  • Author: Olivia
  • Total Time: 0 hours
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Chewy Sugar Cookies are perfectly soft and delicious, with a slight crisp on the outside and a melt-in-your-mouth center. Rolled in sugar before baking, they have just the right amount of sweetness and are ideal for any occasion.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 3/4 cups (344 g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, very softened
  • 1 egg, at room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated white sugar, for rolling dough in

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, cream the very softened butter and sugar together with an electric mixer on high speed for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy.
  • Add the egg and vanilla, mixing on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed just until combined.
  • Scoop the dough using a 2 tbsp cookie scoop and roll it into balls. Roll the dough balls in sugar.
  • Place the dough balls at least 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Slightly flatten each ball and form into a circle as best as you can. Bake 6-8 cookies at a time.
  • Bake the cookies for 9-10 minutes, then let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer the baked cookies to a cooling rack to finish cooling. Enjoy!

Notes

  • For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough or use brown sugar for a slightly different texture.
  • These cookies store well in an airtight container for up to a week.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 9-10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 150 kcal
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 100mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg

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