If you’re craving a sweet treat that’s nostalgic, melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and almost impossibly easy to whip up, you have to try these Brown Sugar Cookies. With a chewy center, crisp edges, and that signature caramelized flavor from the brown sugar, each bite is pure comfort. This is the recipe I keep coming back to on rainy afternoons, or anytime I want to share the simple magic of homemade cookies with family and friends. Trust me, these are classic cookies you’ll bake again and again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Brown Sugar Cookies don’t require a long shopping list! Each ingredient plays a role in delivering the cookies’ famously soft texture, their beautiful color, and that deep, satisfying flavor. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a few helpful tips for getting the best results.
- Unsalted butter (3/4 cup, softened): Butter is the secret to chewy, rich cookies—make sure it’s soft so it creams properly with the sugar.
- Light brown sugar (1 1/4 cups, packed): This is the star ingredient, giving the cookies their signature caramel notes and soft texture.
- Large egg: The egg helps bind the dough and adds lovely tenderness.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): A must for warmth and depth—don’t skimp, real vanilla makes a difference!
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Provides structure to the cookies so they hold their shape while staying soft.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): This ensures the perfect lift and just enough spread while baking.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances out the sweetness and enhances the brown sugar flavor beautifully.
- Cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon, optional): Adds cozy warmth—highly recommended if you love a hint of spice.
How to Make Brown Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; this keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. There’s something soothing about getting your kitchen ready for baking—consider it a signal that something wonderful is about to happen!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Brown Sugar
In a large bowl, combine the softened butter and brown sugar. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat them together for 2–3 minutes, until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. This step is crucial—whipping air into the butter ensures your Brown Sugar Cookies turn out perfectly tender every time.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract, mixing until everything is smooth and beautifully blended. This is where those comforting aromas start to emerge, and you’ll know you’re on the right track!
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if you want that cozy touch). Pre-mixing these ingredients helps distribute the leaveners and salt evenly throughout the dough, so your cookies bake up uniformly.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Stir gently just until everything comes together—don’t overmix, or your cookies may lose that legendary softness. The dough will be thick, and that’s exactly what you want.
Step 6: Shape and Flatten the Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll them into balls. Place each ball about 2 inches apart on your prepared sheet; they need room to spread as they bake. Gently press each down with your fingers or the bottom of a glass, so they bake up with those irresistibly crackled tops.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake your cookies for 8–10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them—the edges should be lightly golden, while the centers stay soft (they’ll set more as they cool). Leave them on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack. Waiting is the hardest part, but it makes all the difference!
How to Serve Brown Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
Once cooled, sprinkle your Brown Sugar Cookies with a dusting of powdered sugar for a touch of elegance, or drizzle them with melted white or dark chocolate if you’re feeling extra indulgent. For a little crunch and color, try a few chopped toasted pecans on top.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine alongside a tall glass of cold milk or a piping hot mug of coffee, but don’t stop there—a scoop of vanilla or caramel ice cream makes for a dreamy dessert duo. For special occasions, pair them with a warm spiced cider or hot chocolate for pure comfort in every bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your Brown Sugar Cookies in a rustic tin or tie them up with twine for sweet homemade gifts. Arrange them on a pretty platter for a bake sale or party, or turn them into ice cream sandwiches for the ultimate summertime treat. There’s no wrong way to show them off!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—this helps them stay soft and fresh for up to 5 days. Slip in a slice of sandwich bread to maintain that wonderful moisture.
Freezing
You can freeze Brown Sugar Cookies either before or after baking. For unbaked dough, roll it into balls and freeze on a tray before transferring to a zip-top bag. For baked cookies, let them cool completely and stack with parchment paper between layers in a freezer-safe container. Both will keep well for up to 2 months.
Reheating
To enjoy frozen or day-old cookies warm, pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for a few minutes, or microwave for about 10 seconds. They’ll taste almost as if they just came out of the oven—seriously hard to resist!
FAQs
Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light?
Absolutely! Dark brown sugar gives an even richer, deeper flavor and a slightly chewier texture. If you love extra molasses notes, this swap is a fun way to personalize your cookies.
Should I chill the dough before baking?
With this recipe, chilling isn’t required, but if you want a thicker cookie or need to make dough ahead of time, you can refrigerate it for 30 minutes to prevent spreading.
Can I make these Brown Sugar Cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour—the results are still chewy and delicious. Just check that your other ingredients are gluten-free as well.
What kinds of mix-ins work best?
White or dark chocolate chips, toffee bits, chopped pecans, or even dried cranberries are all wonderful add-ins. Stir them in at the end to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
How do I keep my cookies from drying out?
Keep them stored tightly covered at room temperature, and remember to use fresh, quality ingredients. The brown sugar helps lock in moisture naturally, so your cookies should stay soft for several days.
Final Thoughts
Next time you’re after pure cookie bliss, give these Brown Sugar Cookies a spot on your baking sheet. They’re easy, crowd-pleasing, and honestly, just so good. I hope you’ll love sharing and savoring them as much as I do!
Print
Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Brown Sugar Cookies are the epitome of chewy, soft goodness. Packed with rich brown sugar flavor and a hint of cinnamon, these cookies are perfect for any sweet craving. The recipe is straightforward and yields delightful cookies that will disappear quickly!
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional, for a warm touch)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mix until smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gradually add to wet ingredients, mix until just combined.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, place on baking sheet, gently press down.
- Bake: Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers are soft. Cool on sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- These cookies stay soft and chewy thanks to the brown sugar.
- For a fun twist, mix in white chocolate chips, toffee bits, or chopped nuts.
- Store in an airtight container 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: 11g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
