If you love the comforting, caramel notes of brown sugar and crave cookies that are thick, chewy, and irresistibly soft, let me introduce you to these Brown Sugar Cookies. Every bite captures the essence of homemade magic, combining everyday pantry staples in a way that transforms an ordinary cookie into an extraordinary treat. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just want to brighten up your afternoon, this recipe will soon become your favorite reason to preheat the oven.

Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These Brown Sugar Cookies come together with a handful of essentials, each one playing a starring role in flavor, texture, or that iconic golden hue. Simple ingredients, chosen well, promise a cookie that’s anything but ordinary.

All-purpose flour: Gives the cookies structure and keeps them soft yet substantial.
Baking soda: Adds just the right lift to create a gentle chewiness in every bite.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and makes the brown sugar flavor pop.
Unsalted butter (melted and slightly cooled): Delivers rich flavor and helps achieve that coveted chewy texture.
Packed brown sugar: The star of the show—lends warmth, caramel tones, and a moister, softer crumb.
Large egg: Helps bind everything together and provides tenderness.
Egg yolk: Adds extra richness and promotes a fudgy center.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with a fragrant, bakery-style aroma.
Extra brown sugar or granulated sugar (for rolling, optional): Gives a pretty, sparkly finish and a bit of gentle crunch.

How to Make Brown Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep Your Pans

Begin by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper. This not only prevents sticking but ensures an easy release for those golden cookies. Starting with a preheated oven gives you beautifully baked Brown Sugar Cookies with perfect edges and tender middles.

Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. A quick whisk ensures even distribution, so every cookie turns out just right. This mix waits on standby until your wet ingredients are ready for their big moment.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted (and slightly cooled) butter and brown sugar. The mixture should turn smooth and glossy, signaling the start of that classic chewy texture. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, whisking until everything is beautifully blended together.

Step 4: Combine and Chill the Dough

Gradually stir the dry ingredients into your wet mixture, switching to a spatula or wooden spoon once the flour starts to incorporate. Mix until just combined—resist the temptation to overwork the dough! Chilling for 20 to 30 minutes firms it up for thicker, plumper cookies that won’t spread too much in the oven.

Step 5: Scoop, Roll, and Ready for Baking

Scoop out 1 1/2-tablespoon portions of dough and roll them into balls. For a special touch, roll each ball in brown or granulated sugar to create a sparkling finish. Line them up about 2 inches apart on your prepared sheets, giving them room to puff and spread.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers remain soft and ever-so-slightly underdone. That delicate balance is the secret to incredibly chewy Brown Sugar Cookies! Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

How to Serve Brown Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

A dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt can elevate Brown Sugar Cookies into something even more special. For a cozy twist, try a pinch of cinnamon-sugar or a few toasted pecans right as they come out of the oven.

Side Dishes

Serve your warm cookies with a cold glass of milk, a creamy latte, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for instant comfort. For something unique, pair them with spiced chai or hot cocoa—the brown sugar’s deep caramel notes are a real treat alongside cozy drinks.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack cooled Brown Sugar Cookies and wrap them in parchment for a charming edible gift, or arrange them on a rustic board with fruit, nuts, and other sweets for an impressive cookie platter. For parties, sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two cookies for the ultimate homemade ice cream sandwiches.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Pop any leftover Brown Sugar Cookies into an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay soft and chewy for up to a week. Tuck a slice of bread in the container to help retain their moisture if your kitchen’s on the dry side.

Freezing

To freeze, shape the dough into balls and arrange them on a lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. You can bake straight from frozen—just add an extra minute or two to the baking time for fresh Brown Sugar Cookies whenever you crave them.

Reheating

For that fresh-from-the-oven feeling, pop a cookie in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds before serving. This quick trick revives their softness and releases that irresistible aroma all over again.

FAQs

Can I use light or dark brown sugar for these cookies?

Absolutely! Light brown sugar will give you a milder, sweet flavor with a lighter color, while dark brown sugar deepens the molasses notes and creates a chewier, more richly flavored cookie. Use your favorite or try both to see which you love most.

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading out too much as they bake, resulting in thicker, chewier Brown Sugar Cookies. It also helps the flavors meld and makes the dough easier to handle.

Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts?

Of course! Semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chunks, toasted pecans, or even a handful of raisins can be stirred in before chilling the dough. Just avoid overloading the dough, so the cookies still hold together well.

What’s the best way to achieve extra-soft cookies?

For the softest Brown Sugar Cookies, make sure not to overbake: remove them from the oven when the edges are set, but the centers still look a bit soft. As they cool, they’ll firm up perfectly while staying melt-in-your-mouth tender inside.

Can I make the dough in advance, and how long does it keep?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 48 hours ahead—just cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake. If it sits longer, let it soften for 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature before scooping to make things easier.

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to try these Brown Sugar Cookies and see just how quickly they disappear from your cookie jar. Simple, comforting, and endlessly versatile, they’re the kind of treat everyone loves. Bake up a batch soon and share the sweet joy with family, friends, or just yourself—you absolutely deserve it!

Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 20 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 25 minutes (plus chill time)
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Brown Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat with a chewy texture and a rich, caramelized flavor. Perfect for any occasion, these easy-to-make cookies will quickly become a favorite in your household.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Additional:

Extra brown sugar or granulated sugar for rolling (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Prepare dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and whisk until fully combined.
Combine the mixtures: Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until just combined. Chill dough in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes.
Form and bake cookies: Scoop dough into portions, roll into balls, and place on baking sheets. Bake for 9–11 minutes until set. Cool on a wire rack.