Best Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookie Recipe

This soft and chewy cookie recipe is packed with flavor and come together with just a handful of simple ingredients.

Nothing beats a warm sugar cookie with a soft center and chewy texture. This is the best sugar cookie recipe for achieving that perfect bite every single time. With the right ingredients and just the right bake time, these chewy sugar cookies will quickly become your go-to treat for any occasion. Whether you want them plain or frosted, they’re crowd-pleasers every time.

This chewy sugar cookie recipe doesn’t require any fancy tools or techniques. You won’t need a rolling pin or cookie cutter unless you’re looking to shape them for the holidays. Instead, we just use a spoon or a medium cookie scoop to create cookie dough balls that bake into soft, round cookies with perfectly crisp edges.

If you’ve tried other recipes that left you with flat sugar cookies or ones that spread too much, don’t worry. This recipe has been tested to provide the best results every time. The trick is in the ratio of brown sugar to white sugar, and using one whole egg plus one egg yolk for extra richness and chewiness.

Let’s get started.

Ingredients for Chewy Sugar Cookie Recipe

• 1 cup salted butter, softened*
• 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 eggs (one egg plus one egg yolk)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 1/2 cups flour**
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

*To soften butter, I just leave the butter sticks, still wrapped, on the kitchen counter at room temperature for a couple of hours.

**Use a measuring cup to level your dry ingredients for the best results. For the flour, don’t scoop straight from the bag. Instead, spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off.

Directions: How to Make Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookie Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
3. Add the 1 egg, 1 egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract and beat until well combined. 
4. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt (best if sifted).
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not overmix!
6. At this point you can chill the dough for 15 minutes or so to keep them from spreading and flattening as much when baked, but if you’re in a hurry you can skip this step.
7. Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing the cookies two inches apart.
8. Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes or until they’re barely golden on the edges. Do not overbake!
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

These cookies can be frosted once cooled, but they’re delicious unfrosted as well!

Freezing Cookie Dough for Later

This sugar cookie recipe freezes beautifully. Whether you want to make ahead or save leftovers, freezing is easy.

Directions for Freezing Chewy Sugar Cookie Dough

1. Scoop the sugar cookie dough into cookie dough balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until solid.
2. Transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. Label the bag with baking instructions and freeze for up to three months.
3. When ready to bake, no need to thaw. Just place frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake cookies. Add an extra 1 to 2 minutes to the bake time.

FAQs: Chewy Sugar Cookie Recipe

• Can I substitute cream cheese for some of the butter? Yes, you can swap 1/4 cup of butter for cream cheese. It gives the cookies a tangy twist and soft texture.
• Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted? You can. Just add an extra 1/4 teaspoon of salt to balance the flavor.
• Do I need a rolling pin or cookie cutter? Nope! This recipe uses cookie dough balls. A cookie scoop works best. Save the rolling pin for classic cut-out cookies.
• Why do I use one egg and one yolk? The extra yolk adds richness and helps create that chewy sugar cookie center.
• Can I skip the almond extract? You can, but it adds a subtle depth that makes this the best sugar cookie recipe.
• What if I don’t have parchment paper? Silicone mats work just as well. They help prevent flat sugar cookies and sticking.
• Do I need to chill the dough? It’s optional. Chilling helps the cookies hold shape better and spread less while baking.
• What makes these cookies chewy instead of crispy? The brown sugar and egg yolk both help. Also, removing them from the oven before the edges brown keeps the center soft.
• Can I frost these cookies? Yes! They’re great with frosting, but also perfect plain. Add sprinkles for fun.
• How many cookies does this make? You’ll get about 24 cookies using a medium cookie scoop.
• What’s the best way to store leftover cookies? Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Add a slice of bread to keep them soft.
• Can I double the recipe? Absolutely! Double all the ingredients and bake in batches. Great for parties, holidays, or gifting.
• Can I add sprinkles or mix-ins? Yes! Fold in sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or white chocolate chunks just before baking for a fun twist.

​Final Tips for Best Results

• Make sure your butter is at room temperature. This helps it cream properly with the sugar.
• Don’t overmix once the dry ingredients are added. Mix until just combined.
• Bake cookies on the middle rack for even heat.
• Use parchment paper or silicone mats to avoid sticking and ensure even baking.
• Let cookies rest on the baking pan before moving them. This helps them finish baking gently.

These chewy sugar cookies use simple ingredients but deliver bakery-quality results. Whether you’re baking for a party or just a quiet afternoon snack, this sugar cookie recipe is guaranteed to impress.

No need for rolling pins, cookie cutters, or fancy tools. Just grab a few pantry staples and your favorite baking sheet. With a cup of butter, some sugar, and a little love, you’re just minutes away from the best sugar cookies you’ve ever had.

So go ahead and whip up a batch. Eat some now and freeze the rest. Future-you will thank you. These cookies are soft, sweet, and just a little nostalgic. Share them with someone you love, or keep them all to yourself – no judgment!

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Best Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookie Recipe

This soft and chewy cookie recipe is packed with flavor and come together with just a handful of simple ingredients.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Servings 2 dozen

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup salted butter softened*
• 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 eggs one egg plus one egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 1/2 cups flour**
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Add the 1 egg, 1 egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract and beat until well combined.
• In a separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt (best if sifted).
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not overmix!
• At this point you can chill the dough for 15 minutes or so to keep them from spreading and flattening as much when baked, but if you’re in a hurry you can skip this step.
• Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing the cookies two inches apart.
• Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes or until they’re barely golden on the edges. Do not overbake!
• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

Notes

*To soften butter, I just leave the butter sticks, still wrapped, on the kitchen counter at room temperature for a couple of hours.

**Use a measuring cup to level your dry ingredients for the best results. For the flour, don’t scoop straight from the bag. Instead, spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off.

Keyword baking, cookies, Dessert, From Scratch, Homemade, kid-friendly, recipe, sweet