Description
This Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies recipe yields tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a perfect balance of sweetness and vanilla flavor. Ideal for any occasion, these cookies are easy to prepare and bake to golden perfection, making them a favorite treat for all ages.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar, plus ¼ cup for rolling
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined and aerated.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar until the mixture is creamy and light in texture. Add in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, then mix thoroughly until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Stir or mix until all ingredients are fully incorporated and form a smooth dough.
- Form dough balls: Using your hands or a cookie scoop, roll the dough into 1-inch balls. For extra sweetness and a slightly crunchy texture, optionally roll each dough ball in the remaining ¼ cup granulated sugar.
- Bake the cookies: Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets with enough space between them to allow spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
Notes
- For softer cookies, avoid overbaking; the centers should look slightly undercooked when you remove them from the oven.
- You can chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading for thicker cookies.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For more flavor variation, try adding a pinch of cinnamon or substituting some vanilla extract with almond extract.
