Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies
These Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies are crispy on the outside and tender and soft on the inside. These cookies are big, thick and taste just like you got them from a bakery. They take just minutes to make (no dough chilling required) and use ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. These cookies make great Christmas cookies, and would also make a great cookie for an ice cream sandwich.
‘Tis the season for all the Christmas cookies, and these soft and chewy sugar cookies are probably my favorite Christmas cookies to make. These soft and chewy sugar cookies, like basically all of my other cookie recipes require no dough chilling. I know, I know, dough chilling has a purpose, and a good purpose. It can help cookies better retain their shape, can create crisper or chewier textures in cookies, and can enhance the sweetness of cookies. BUT, I’m telling you, these soft and chewy sugar cookies do not need it.
These soft and chewy sugar cookies have just the right amount of flour that helps the cookies hold their shape enough to spread, but not get paper thin. The cookies have a thicker center that is so tender and soft when baked, with thinner edges that get a slight crispy texture to them…just the way I like them! These cookies have just the right amount of sweetness that balances well with the amount of flour and creamy butter. The cookies are rolled in granulated sugar right before baking which makes them ultra delicious.
These soft and chewy sugar cookies have quickly become a favorite in our household and I guarantee they will in yours as well. These make great Christmas cookies to add to your Christmas cookie box. They also serve as great cookies to make ice cream sandwiches with. I don’t care if it’s winter or summer, I like eating ice cream all year long!
The details
The components
sugar cookie dough
These soft and chewy sugar cookies take only a handful of ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. These cookies have just the right amount of sweetness. The cookie dough is rolled in granulated sugar just before baking adding an extra hint of sweetness and crunch to the cookies.
The ingredients
- Cookie Dough
- unsalted butter – I prefer to use unsalted butter in baking recipes, because then I can add in an amount of salt that works perfectly for the recipe.
- granulated sugar – these cookies use only granulated sugar to make them. Granulated sugar helps these cookies achieve the crispy edges and helps the cookies not spread as much.
- egg – only one egg is needed for this cookie dough. Eggs are important in cookie dough, because they help to tenderize the cookies, contributing to their soft texture.
- vanilla extract – vanilla extract helps to enhance the flavors in these cookies.
- all-purpose flour – flour is needed for the structure of these cookies. These cookies have just enough flour in them to make them spread just enough for the thin crispy edges, yet stay thick and soft in the center.
- baking powder
- salt – salt helps to enhance the flavor in these cookies.
- Coating
- granulated sugar, for rolling – this extra coating of sugar helps to give these cookies just a hint of extra sweetness and adds a crunchy texture to these cookies.
Here’s how to make these cookies
get everything ready
Before I make any recipe, I like to make sure I have all of my ingredients measured and ready to go. It also helps to do this, because if you are out of an ingredient you will know before you mix everything together! This has certainly happened to me before.
During this step, you can turn on your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and get a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
make the cookie dough.
These soft and chewy sugar cookies come together quickly and easily. You don’t need to use any fancy mixers – just a bowl and a whisk. These are actually the perfect cookies to make with kids and family, because they are so easy to make!
You’ll start this recipe by melting butter. The butter needs 10 minutes to cool after melting it. Just let it sit at room temperature after melting it. Allowing the butter to cool helps the cookies not spread as much when baking.
Whisk together the melted butter, sugar, egg and vanilla extract. Next, add in the flour, salt, and baking powder. Whisk just until combined.
roll in granulated sugar
Scoop the cookie dough by 3 tablespoon measurements. Add granulated sugar to a bowl, then add the scooped cookie dough balls into the bowl (only add as many as your bowl can fit. I used a small bowl, so I just did one at a time). Roll the sugar cookie dough ball in the granulated sugar, making sure to coat all sides. Place on prepared baking sheets, 3-inches apart.
bake the cookies
Bake these soft and chewy sugar cookies for 11-12 minutes in the preheated oven. The edges will be set, while the centers will still be soft. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, use the back of a spoon to gently press the center of the cookies down. This creates a crackle in the surface of the cookies and helps give the cookies a chewier texture.
Allow the soft and chewy sugar cookies to cool 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
Here’s how to make these a bit more Christmas-y
If desired, you can roll these cookies in red or green sugar prior to baking rather than regular white granulated sugar. This will give the cookies fun Christmas colors.
Here are some of my favorite Christmas cookies
Here are a few of my favorite cookie recipes
Let me know what you thought!
If you make these soft and chewy sugar cookies for your Christmas cookies, or just as a delicious treat, let me know what you thought in the ratings and comments below. I absolutely love reading all of your comments! Also, make sure to snap a picture and tag me @simplebakingwithpep on instagram. It truly makes my day to see all of your wonderful creations.
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Print
Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 31 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
These Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies are crispy on the outside and tender and soft on the inside. These cookies are big, thick and taste just like you got them from a bakery. They take just minutes to make (no dough chilling required) and use ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. These cookies make a great Christmas cookie, and would also make a great cookie for an ice cream sandwich.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Coating
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, for rolling
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, add ¼ cup granulated sugar for rolling the cookies in. Set aside.
2. Melt butter in microwave or on the stove-top. Allow melted butter to cool for 10 minutes.
3. In a large mixing bowl, add melted butter, sugar, egg and vanilla extract. Whisk to combine. Add in the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix just until combined.
4. Scoop cookies by 3 tablespoon measurements and roll in granulated sugar. Place onto prepared parchment paper, 3-inches apart.
5. Bake for 11-12 minutes, or until the cookies set, and begin to get light golden brown. Immediately after taking out of the oven, use the back of a spoon to gently push the top of the cookies down. This will create a crackle in the surface of the cookies and create a chewier texture in the cookies. Allow to cool 5 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to wire cooling rack.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 11
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
