There’s nothing quite like a perfect sugar cookie—soft, buttery, and just the right amount of sweetness. These Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies are rich, melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and incredibly easy to make. With no chilling required, you can whip up a batch in under 30 minutes—making them perfect for holidays, celebrations, or just a sweet treat any time of year.
Whether you enjoy them plain, rolled in sugar, or frosted, this is the only sugar cookie recipe you’ll ever need!
Why You’ll Love These Sugar Cookies
✅ Soft & Chewy Texture – Crisp edges with a tender, buttery center.
✅ No Chill Time Needed – Bake them right away, no waiting required!
✅ Classic Vanilla Flavor – Rich and sweet with hints of warm vanilla.
✅ Versatile & Customizable – Enjoy plain or decorate with frosting, sprinkles, or colored sugar.
✅ Freezer-Friendly – Store well for later, making them great for meal prep desserts.
What Makes These Sugar Cookies Soft & Chewy?
The secret to perfect sugar cookies lies in a few key baking techniques:
🧈 Room Temperature Butter – Ensures a smooth dough that bakes evenly.
🍯 Extra Egg Yolk – Adds richness and creates a chewier texture.
🥄 Proper Flour Measuring – Spoon & level method prevents dry cookies.
🔥 Don’t Overbake – Removing cookies when they’re just set keeps them soft and pillowy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple pantry ingredients, making it easy to bake any time you crave cookies.
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour – The base of the cookies.
- ½ teaspoon baking powder – Adds a slight lift.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda – Helps create the perfect soft texture.
- ½ teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness.
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (1 ½ sticks), softened – For a rich, buttery flavor.
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar – Sweetens and creates a crisp exterior.
- 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk – The extra yolk makes these cookies extra chewy.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – Enhances the classic sugar cookie flavor.
💡 For a subtle flavor twist, add ½ teaspoon almond extract!
How to Make Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the Butter & Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer), beat the butter and granulated sugar on low speed, then increase to medium-high.
- Mix until light and creamy (about 2 minutes).
💡 Creaming butter and sugar properly ensures a soft, fluffy texture!
Step 4: Add the Eggs & Vanilla
- Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture.
- Beat on medium speed until fully combined.
- Scrape down the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.
Step 5: Add the Dry Ingredients
- Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredients.
- Mix just until combined—don’t overmix! The dough will be firm but soft.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
- Scoop 1-inch balls of dough and roll them in sugar for a classic sugar cookie texture.
- Place them 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
💡 Rolling in sugar creates a lightly crisp exterior while keeping the inside soft!
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
- Bake one sheet at a time for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- The cookies will still look slightly puffy and underbaked—this is perfect!
- Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
💡 For a slightly crispier cookie, bake for 10-12 minutes!
Fun Ways to Customize These Sugar Cookies
🎨 Decorated Sugar Cookies – Frost with buttercream or royal icing and add sprinkles.
🍋 Lemon Sugar Cookies – Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest for a citrusy twist.
🌰 Nutty Sugar Cookies – Stir in ½ cup chopped pecans or almonds.
🍫 Chocolate-Dipped Sugar Cookies – Dip half the cookie in melted chocolate.
🎄 Holiday Sugar Cookies – Use colored sanding sugar or holiday sprinkles!
💡 Want extra chewy cookies? Swap ¼ cup sugar for light brown sugar!
Storage & Freezing Tips
🥡 Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
❄️ Freeze Baked Cookies: Freeze in layers with parchment paper between them for up to 3 months.
🍪 Freeze Cookie Dough: Roll dough into balls, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a zip-top bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the bake time.
💡 Freezing cookie dough lets you bake fresh cookies anytime—just pop them in the oven!
FAQs About Sugar Cookies
Q: How do I make my sugar cookies softer?
A: Bake until just set and store in an airtight container to retain moisture.
Q: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A: Yes! Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for best results.
Q: Why did my cookies turn out dry?
A: This could be from too much flour—use the spoon & level method to measure correctly.
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! Make the dough up to 48 hours in advance and refrigerate.
Q: Can I add sprinkles before baking?
A: Yes! Press sprinkles onto the dough balls before baking for a festive look.
Final Thoughts
These Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies are buttery, sweet, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious—perfect for holidays, birthdays, or whenever you need a quick homemade treat. With no chilling required and simple ingredients, they’re an easy go-to recipe that’s guaranteed to impress!
Try this classic sugar cookie recipe today, and enjoy the perfect balance of softness and chewiness in every bite! 🍪✨
Short version
Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour*
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter 1 ½ sticks, softened at room temperature but still slightly cool
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar plus ¼ cup more for rolling the dough balls, if desired
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until creamy, starting on low speed and increasing to medium-high. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla, mixing on medium speed until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low speed until combined. The dough will be fairly firm.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. If desired, roll each ball in granulated sugar. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 3 inches apart.
- Bake one sheet at a time for 8-10 minutes, until the tops are almost set and the bottoms are lightly golden brown. For soft and chewy cookies, avoid overbaking. The cookies may still appear slightly puffy when removed from the oven but will flatten as they cool on the baking sheet.
Notes
