There’s something about the simple magic of Brown Sugar Cookies that feels just right—perfectly chewy, buttery, with caramel notes that practically melt in your mouth. These cookies are genuinely easy to whip up, yet their flavor and texture will have everyone asking for seconds (and the recipe, too). Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or to impress at a potluck, this is a treat that’s impossible to resist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Brown Sugar Cookies thrive on the right balance of basic, high-quality ingredients. Each plays a crucial role, working together for that signature rich taste, deep golden hue, and irresistible chewiness you know and love.
- All-purpose flour: The essential foundation for structure and lift.
- Baking soda: Adds that little bit of rise, making the cookies just the right amount of soft and puffy.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and deepens flavors—don’t skip it!
- Unsalted butter, softened: The hero behind the cookies’ rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Light brown sugar, packed: Packed brown sugar means big caramel flavor and ultra-soft, moist cookies.
- Large egg, room temperature: Binds everything together and adds chewiness.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out the sweetness beautifully.
- Granulated sugar (optional, for rolling): For a pretty, sparkly crunch on the outside.
How to Make Brown Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets and Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper—this guarantees your Brown Sugar Cookies won’t stick, and cleanup will be a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This step makes sure your leavening is evenly distributed, resulting in cookies that bake up with a lovely, even texture every time.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Brown Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and packed brown sugar together until pale and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. This creaming method is the secret to a tender cookie with plenty of lift—it traps air in the dough as you mix.
Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla
Now, beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Take an extra minute here to ensure the mixture is silky-smooth, which will help your Brown Sugar Cookies bake up perfectly uniform and chewy.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry mixture to the wet ingredients, gently mixing until everything just comes together. Be careful not to overmix—this keeps your cookies soft instead of tough.
Step 6: Shape and Sugar-Coat
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. If you love a little crunch, roll each ball in granulated sugar before placing them about 2 inches apart on your lined baking sheets. This gives your Brown Sugar Cookies that irresistible crackly top.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are just set and the centers look ever-so-slightly underbaked—don’t worry, they’ll finish firming up as they cool. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps lock in that soft, chewy center.
How to Serve Brown Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
A gentle dusting of powdered sugar, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, or even a drizzle of melted white chocolate will make your Brown Sugar Cookies stand out on any platter. Sometimes, a little cinnamon-sugar on top before baking goes a long way for extra warmth and color.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a tall glass of cold milk, hot cocoa, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for true comfort food joy. If you’re serving with coffee or tea, these cookies make the perfect sweet sidekick.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your cookies high on a rustic cake stand, or pack them in glass jars tied with ribbon for lovely edible gifts. For special occasions, sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two Brown Sugar Cookies for a simple and memorable homemade dessert.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, tuck any leftover cookies into an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh, soft, and chewy for up to 5 days—assuming they last that long!
Freezing
To make your Brown Sugar Cookies ahead, freeze the dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a zip-top bag once solid. You can also freeze baked cookies; just let them cool completely and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Want that just-baked warmth again? Pop a cookie (or two!) in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. If you’re reheating a batch, a few minutes in a low oven (300°F/150°C) works wonders.
FAQs
Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light?
Absolutely! Dark brown sugar adds even more molasses flavor and richer color to your Brown Sugar Cookies, making them taste even deeper and cozier.
What if I don’t have a mixer?
No worries—you can cream softened butter and sugar by hand with a sturdy spoon or spatula. It takes a little extra elbow grease, but the cookies will still turn out delicious.
Is it okay to chill the dough?
Definitely! Chilling the dough for 30 minutes to an hour can help the flavors deepen and prevent spreading, resulting in slightly thicker Brown Sugar Cookies. It’s optional, but worth trying if you like a more substantial cookie.
How do I make these cookies extra chewy?
The moisture from the brown sugar already does a lot, but you can add a teaspoon of honey or a splash of maple syrup for even chewier cookies. Just be careful not to overbake!
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can easily double the ingredients to make a larger batch. Just be sure to mix thoroughly and give the dough balls plenty of space on your baking sheets for even cooking.
Final Thoughts
Once you try a fresh, warm batch of Brown Sugar Cookies, you’ll understand why this recipe is such a favorite of mine. There’s pure joy in every bite, and I hope you’ll be just as excited to share these with your family and friends. Happy baking!
Print
Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Brown Sugar Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with sweet flavor from brown sugar. They are easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Extra granulated sugar for rolling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beat until well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mix until just combined.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls. Optionally, roll in granulated sugar. Place on baking sheets, bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- These cookies stay soft and chewy thanks to the brown sugar.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon to the dough.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 65mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
