Addictive Buttery Sugar Cookies Recipe: Melt-in-Your-Mouth Magic

These homemade soft and chewy sugar cookies dance with pure buttery sweetness that melts in your mouth.

Every baker knows a perfect soft and chewy sugar cookies recipe can turn an ordinary afternoon into a delightful celebration.

Sweet and tender, these cookies offer a classic comfort that brings smiles to everyone around the table.

The secret lies in balancing simple ingredients with careful technique, creating a treat that’s both nostalgic and irresistible.

Crisp edges give way to a pillowy center that whispers of vanilla and warmth.

A sprinkle of granulated sugar adds a delicate crunch that makes these cookies impossible to resist.

Bake a batch and watch how quickly they disappear from the cooling rack.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

Total Time: 23 minutes

Calories: 155 kcal

Servings: 22

Ingredients in Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and soft texture for classic sugar cookies.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates tender, light crumb.
• Baking Powder: Ensures even lifting and helps cookies maintain perfect shape.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness of cookies.

• Granulated Sugar: Adds crisp edges and sweet foundation to cookies.
• Brown Sugar: Delivers rich caramel undertones and keeps cookies moist.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, buttery flavor and contributes to soft, chewy texture.

• Large Egg: Binds ingredients, adds moisture, and provides structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, complex flavor and aromatic depth to cookies.

Cookie Tools for Soft Sugar Cookie Baking

• Electric Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar to light, fluffy perfection.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining wet ingredients and creating cookie dough.
• Medium Bowl: Great for whisking dry ingredients together smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements ensure cookie success.
• Spatula: Helps mix dough and scrape sides of bowl cleanly.
• Baking Sheets: Crucial for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Cookie Scoop or Tablespoon: Helps create uniform cookie sizes.

Steps to Make Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies

Sweet Sugar Cookie Adventure

• Cookie Preparation Workspace Setup

Create a clean, organized baking zone with all necessary tools within reach. Ensure your countertop is spotless and ready for delicious cookie magic.

• Magical Dry Ingredient Blend

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Gently whisk these ingredients to create a smooth, even mixture that will give your cookies perfect texture.

• Butter and Sugar Transformation

Cream softened butter with sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and almost cloud-like. This process develops a rich, creamy base for your cookies.

• Liquid Dimension

Add egg and vanilla extract, mixing carefully to create a smooth, silky batter that promises incredible flavor and softness.

• Dough Formation

Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Gently fold until a soft, pillowy dough forms. The consistency should be smooth and easy to handle.

• Cookie Shaping

Roll small portions of dough into delicate balls. Give each cookie a gentle roll in sugar, creating a sparkling, sweet exterior that will caramelize beautifully.

• Baking Transformation

Place cookie balls on a prepared baking sheet, allowing space between each one. Bake until edges turn a delicate golden color and centers remain soft and inviting.

• Cooling and Enjoying

Let cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack. These sweet treats are perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Ways to Flavor and Decorate Sugar Cookies

• Swap out vanilla extract for almond or lemon extract to create exciting flavor profiles that will surprise your taste buds.
• Use royal icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar to transform these classic cookies into festive treats perfect for holidays or special occasions.
• Store cookies between layers of parchment paper in an airtight container to maintain their soft, chewy texture for up to 5 days at room temperature.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and ensure perfectly shaped, uniform cookies with crisp edges and soft centers.
• Press a few chocolate chips or sprinkle sea salt on top of each cookie just before baking to add extra flavor and visual interest to the classic sugar cookie.

Sugar Cookie Serving Suggestions

• Sweet Celebration Platter: Arrange cookies on a festive platter with colorful sprinkles scattered around, perfect for birthday parties or holiday gatherings.
• Dessert Duo Pairing: Serve alongside cold milk, creamy vanilla ice cream, or a warm cup of hot chocolate for an indulgent treat that enhances the cookie's soft texture.
• Gourmet Gift Packaging: Stack cookies carefully in clear gift bags tied with ribbons, creating a charming homemade present for friends, teachers, or neighbors who love sweet surprises.
• Cookie Dessert Inspiration: Crumble cookies over vanilla pudding or use as a delightful base for a simple cookie trifle, transforming the recipe into an elegant dessert option.

Keeping Soft Cookies Fresh

• Quick Cookie Batch Preparation: Make dough balls ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking, allowing spontaneous fresh cookie moments without full preparation time.
• Freezer-Friendly Dough Strategy: Portion unbaked cookie dough into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags for storage up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Smart Container Selection: Store fully cooled cookies in airtight containers with tight-sealing lids, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain soft texture. Keeps cookies fresh at room temperature for 5-7 days.
• Temperature-Controlled Freshness: Keep cookies away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Room temperature storage works best, maintaining their chewy texture and preventing rapid moisture loss or hardening.

Heavenly Sugar Cookies

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4.5 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 22 1x

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Description

Classic sugar cookies deliver pure homemade comfort with delightful chewiness. Light sugary sweetness and buttery richness create memorable treats for family gatherings and holiday celebrations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (224 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup + 2 tbsps (233 g) granulated sugar
• 2 tbsps (28 g) light brown sugar
• 2 ¾ cups (358 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup sugar (for rolling)

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a non-stick surface for perfect cookie placement.
2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, ensuring uniform distribution of dry components to guarantee consistent texture.
3. Butter Creaming: Utilize an electric mixer to whip butter and sugars until the mixture transforms into a light, fluffy cloud-like consistency, developing a rich, smooth base for the cookies.
4. Wet Ingredient Integration: Blend egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, creating a silky, homogeneous foundation that will bind the cookie dough together.
5. Dough Formation: Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, gently folding until a soft, slightly tacky dough emerges, being careful to avoid overworking the mixture.
6. Cookie Shaping: Roll dough into uniform spheres, generously coating each ball in granulated sugar to create a sparkling, crisp exterior that will caramelize during baking.
7. Baking Process: Strategically place sugar-coated dough balls on prepared sheets, leaving ample space between cookies to allow for natural spreading, and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden and centers remain tender.
8. Cooling Protocol: Allow cookies to rest briefly on baking sheet to set their structure, then transfer to a wire rack, permitting complete cooling and ensuring the perfect soft, chewy texture.

Notes

• Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and enhance flavor development.
• Measure Flour Precisely: Use the spoon-and-level method to avoid dense, tough cookies by preventing excess flour from compacting in the measuring cup.
• Check Oven Temperature: Invest in an oven thermometer to ensure accurate baking temperature, as variations can dramatically impact cookie texture and appearance.
• Handle with Care: Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes after removing from the oven to help them set and prevent breaking during transfer.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 155
• Sugar: 15g
• Sodium: 75mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 23g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 20mg