If you’re craving a homemade treat that’s both nostalgic and utterly irresistible, Chewy Sugar Cookies are the answer. Imagine a golden, crackled edge with a soft, tender center—a perfect balance that keeps you reaching for “just one more.” Whether you’re baking for a holiday, sharing with friends, or treating yourself on a cozy afternoon, these Chewy Sugar Cookies are a timeless classic that never disappoints. Each bite bursts with buttery sweetness and pure vanilla, making them a cherished favorite in any cookie jar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the many joys of baking Chewy Sugar Cookies is how the simplest ingredients create pure magic. Every item on this list serves an important purpose, from the melt-in-your-mouth texture to the sweet, sparkly finish.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cookie, providing structure without heaviness for that perfect chewy texture.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough to stay soft and thick.
- Baking powder: Adds a gentle lift, ensuring your sugar cookies don’t end up flat.
- Salt: Balances out the sweetness and sharpens flavors so every bite pops.
- Unsalted butter, softened: The source of that rich, creamy flavor and irresistible “chew” in every cookie.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and creates a lovely crackled exterior when used for rolling.
- Large egg: Gives richness and binds the dough together for uniform, tender cookies.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the cookies with classic flavor—don’t skip it!
- Granulated sugar, for rolling: Coats each cookie in a sparkling, sweet finish that adds a delightful bit of crunch.
How to Make Chewy Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper—this ensures your Chewy Sugar Cookies don’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze. Having everything ready means you’ll move seamlessly from mixing to baking with zero stress.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisking thoroughly helps evenly distribute each leavening agent and salt, so every cookie puffs, colors, and tastes just right.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with 1½ cups granulated sugar until it’s pale, fluffy, and creamy. This step is crucial—incorporating air ensures your Chewy Sugar Cookies bake up with those signature soft, chewy centers and crisp edges.
Step 4: Add the Egg and Vanilla
Crack in the large egg and pour in the vanilla extract, beating again until fully combined. The mixture should be smooth, rich, and fragrant, building the base of your cookie’s flavor.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your whisked dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until the last streak of flour disappears. Overmixing is the enemy of chewy cookies, so stop as soon as the dough comes together.
Step 6: Shape and Roll in Sugar
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each between your palms to make neat balls. Drop each one in the reserved granulated sugar, rolling gently to coat all sides. This sweet layer will bake into those sparkling, crunchy tops Chewy Sugar Cookies are known for.
Step 7: Bake to Chewy Perfection
Arrange the dough balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart so they have room to spread. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the edges look set and the centers are slightly underbaked. Don’t let them brown too much—this is the secret to true chewiness!
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes; they finish setting up and become easy to handle. Then, move them to a wire rack to cool completely. The anticipation is part of the fun—these Chewy Sugar Cookies are at their best with a bit of patience!
How to Serve Chewy Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
For an extra pop of sparkle, sprinkle coarse sugar over each dough ball before baking. A pinch of colored sanding sugar or a dusting of cinnamon-sugar can give your Chewy Sugar Cookies a playful twist for birthdays or holidays.
Side Dishes
Serve warm Chewy Sugar Cookies with cold glasses of milk, mugs of hot coffee, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They also pair beautifully with fresh fruit, making a tempting treat for dessert platters or afternoon snacks.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them in clear jars for a homemade gift, sandwich them with marshmallow fluff or chocolate ganache, or line a basket with parchment and pile them high for bake sales or parties. Chewy Sugar Cookies look charming tied with ribbon or tucked into cookie tins for sharing and gifting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Slide any extra Chewy Sugar Cookies into an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to five days. A slice of bread placed in the container can help maintain maximum softness.
Freezing
Freeze baked cookies in layers separated by wax paper, or freeze the raw dough balls for up to three months. To bake from frozen, simply add a minute or two to the baking time—no thawing required for a spontaneous treat whenever the craving hits.
Reheating
To enjoy that just-baked taste, warm Chewy Sugar Cookies in the microwave for 5–10 seconds. The centers become perfectly soft again, almost like they were fresh from the oven.
FAQs
Why are my sugar cookies not chewy?
If your cookies turn out crisp instead of chewy, they may have been overbaked or the ingredients weren’t measured carefully. Be sure to pull them from the oven while the centers still look slightly underdone.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can use salted butter, but reduce the added salt in the recipe by half to balance the flavors. Unsalted butter gives you the most control over taste.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
If your Chewy Sugar Cookies spread more than you’d like, chill the dough balls in the fridge for 20–30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape beautifully.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute a good quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The texture may differ slightly, but they’ll still be delicious and chewy.
Is it okay to double the recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe doubles wonderfully—perfect for parties or gifting. Just be sure to use a large enough bowl and mix in the dry ingredients gradually to avoid floury pockets.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of pulling a tray of Chewy Sugar Cookies from the oven and tasting that first warm, sugary bite. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these cookies are a delightful way to spread sweetness to family, friends, or even just yourself. Give them a baking session, and let a batch of these soft, sparkly cookies work their magic in your home!
Print
Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Chewy Sugar Cookies are a classic favorite, with a soft and chewy texture that makes them irresistible. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies are easy to make and even easier to enjoy.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For Rolling:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream softened butter and 1½ cups sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Roll and Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls, roll in reserved sugar, place on baking sheets, and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Do not overbake for soft, chewy cookies.
- Add coarse sugar for extra crunch if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
