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If you love sugar cookies, then you are going to love these thick Soft Sugar Cookies. This classic cookie is the perfect holiday cookie.
This easy soft sugar cookie recipe is my go-to recipe for the best sugar cookie recipe. The soft and chewy texture and the simple ingredients makes these cookies perfect for any occasion.
This dessert recipe is perfect for busy moms. There is no need for cookie cutters. You just roll the dough into a ball and bake. Check out this Old Fashioned Sugar Cookie Recipe or these Sugar Cookies Bars for other easy sugar cookies recipes.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Recipe:
This recipe for soft sugar cookies is the perfect base for the ultimate sugar cookie. You can easily make it to decorate or to frost. This recipe only requires 7 ingredients and you probably already have them.
Prepare this full of flavor sugar cookies for Christmas or for any occasion. The thick and chewy texture always makes them first to go.
From start to finish these sugar cookies are ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
- Unsalted Butter, softened
- Granulated Sugar divided
- Large Eggs
- All-Purpose Flour
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Vanilla Extract
Scroll to the bottom for the recipe card to see the full recipe and ingredients.
Step by Step Instructions:
Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda or baking powder and salt. Set aside.
Step 2 – In a medium bowl, cream together the butter with 1 ¼ cups of the granulated sugar with a hand held mixer or stand up mixer.
Step 3 – Add in the eggs and teaspoons vanilla extract. Mix until thoroughly combined and smooth.
Step 4 – Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients on low speed with electric mixer.
Step 5 – Place the remaining granulated sugar into a small, shallow bowl. Roll dough into one inch sized balls. Then roll the balls into the granulated sugar.
Step 6 – Place them onto a cookie sheet and they are ready to bake for 10 minutes until the top of the cookies begin to crack. Let the cookies sit for 5 minutes on the pan and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips:
- Room Temperature – Before combining ingredients, we recommend that the ingredients have come to room temperature. This helps to create a smooth and creamy texture.
- Combining Ingredients – We recommend combining ingredients with a electric hand mixer or a stand mixer using the paddle attachment. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl.
- Prepare Baking Sheet – Before placing the cookie dough on the baking sheet, we recommend lining with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. This helps with cleanup and removing the cookies from the baking sheet.
- Cookie Scoop – To scoop the cookie dough, we recommend using a cookie scoop. This helps evenly scoop the cookie dough balls which allows them to cook about the same time.
- Baking Cookies – To prevent the cookies from being hard, watch the baking time. If the edges of the cookies turn golden browned around the edges and the center looks puffy, then they are ready to be removed. The cookies will finish baking while on the baking sheet.
- Cool Cookies – The cookies need to cool completely on a wire rack before moving to storage and frosting.
- Butter – We used unsalted butter in this recipe. But if you use salted butter omit the salt ingredients.
- Extract – We love the flavor that the vanilla extract gives the cookie. But you can substitute it for almond extract, lemon or peppermint extract.
How to Decorate:
We love that these cookies create to many different decorating ideas. These chewy sugar cookies can easily be topped with festive sprinkles or frosted with cream cheese frosting or buttercream frosting.
These cookies would be perfect to roll the cookie dough in colored sugar for a festive sugar to celebrate with. We even like to get gel icing pens to create the perfect details on the cookie. Decorated sugar cookies are always a crowd favorite.
However they are decorate you will love this easy sugar cookie recipe.
How to Prevent Dry Cookies:
The key to create a soft sugar cookie is to make sure not to add to much flour. Measure the ingredients exactly as it is written to create a soft sugar cookie. Adding to much flour can create a dry, bland cookie.
You may need to measure with a kitchen scale or use a spoon to add the flour to a measuring cup.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If you have problems with your dough spreading while baking, you may need to refrigerate your dough. This helps the flavors to mend and helps to easily roll into balls. We also making sure to use parchment paper to line your baking sheet instead of greasing them.
Store the leftover cookies in an airtight container or ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keep a slice of bread in the container with the cookies to keep them moist.
Yes, this is the perfect cookie to prepare ahead of time and freeze. You can also freeze the dough as well. In both cases, I like to flash freeze the dough by placing on a baking sheet and freezing for about an hour. Once frozen, then place in a freezer safe bag for up to 3 months. This will allow you to take out the amount you need to serve.
If stored properly these cookies will last about 5 days.
Bake these sugar cookies for about 10 minutes. Cooking time will vary depending on your oven and the size of your cookies
More Easy Cookie Recipes:
We love hearing from you. If you make these Soft Sugar Cookies, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Soft Sugar Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups Granulated Sugar divided
- 2 Large Eggs
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, cream together the butter with 1 ¼ cups of the granulated sugar with a hand held mixer or stand up mixer.
- Add in the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients on low speed.
- Place the remaining granulated sugar into a small, shallow bowl.
- Roll dough into one inch sized balls. Then roll the balls into the granulated sugar.
- Place them onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes until the top of the cookies begin to crack.
- Let the cookies sit for 5 minutes on the pan and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
