The Ultimate Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies

Short Description/Overview: These irresistibly soft and tender cookies come together with a simple dough and a quick chill, then bake up golden at the edges with a pillowy center. Add a sweet glaze or frosting, and they disappear in record time!

Equipment List:

• Electric mixer (hand or stand)
• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone mats
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters
• Wire rack for cooling

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Glaze/Frosting (Optional but highly recommended!):

• 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup (60ml) milk (add more for desired consistency)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
2. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract until smooth.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry mix to the wet, mixing on low until just combined. Dough will be soft.
5. Chill: Wrap or cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours) to prevent excessive spread.
6. Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment or silicone liners.
7. Roll & Cut: On a floured surface, roll dough to ¼" thick. Cut shapes and place 1–2" apart on sheets.
8. Bake: Bake 8–10 minutes, until edges are lightly golden. Centers should still look pale.
9. Cool: Let rest on pan 5 minutes, then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Decorate: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla for glaze. Dip or spread on cookies, add sprinkles, and let set.

Extra Tips & Variations:

• Flavor twist: Add a pinch of almond extract or lemon zest.
• Texture swap: Mix in finely chopped nuts or colored sugar before baking.
• Make ahead: Dough can be frozen in logs—slice and bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to bake time.

>

The Ultimate Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies

The Ultimate Soft & Chewy Sugar CookiesSoft, tender cookies with a sweet glaze—perfect for any celebration!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Glaze (optional):

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food coloring & sprinkles optional

Equipment

• Electric mixer (hand or stand)
• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone mats
• Rolling Pin
• Cookie cutters
• Wire rack for cooling

Method

 

1. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
2. Add eggs and vanilla; mix.
3. Whisk flour, baking powder, salt; add to wet.
4. Chill dough 1–24 hours.
5. Preheat oven to 375°F; line sheets.
6. Roll dough ¼" thick; cut shapes.
7. Bake 8–10 min until edges gold.
8. Cool, then glaze and decorate.

Notes

Dough freezes well—slice and bake straight from freezer.

Customize with extracts, nuts, or colored sugar.

Final Thoughts: These sugar cookies are a timeless classic—simple to make, endlessly customizable, and perfect for any occasion. Share them with loved ones, package them as gifts, or keep them all to yourself (no judgment!). Enjoy every bite of cozy, sugary goodness.