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Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe

4.8 from 128 reviews

These soft and chewy sugar cookies offer a perfect balance of delicate sweetness and a hint of vanilla, creating a cozy and comforting treat. With perfectly golden edges and soft centers, these cookies melt in your mouth for a delightful dessert experience that’s easy to prepare, making them ideal for beginner bakers.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

For Rolling

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined to prepare the dry base of the cookie dough.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar together using an electric mixer or a whisk until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps to create the soft texture of the cookies.
  4. Add Egg: Incorporate the egg into the butter-sugar mixture and beat thoroughly until fully combined for moisture and structure.
  5. Add Extracts: Mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract, continuing to beat until the mixture is smooth and fragrant.
  6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined without overmixing, as this will maintain a tender cookie texture.
  7. Shape Dough Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls with your hands for uniform cookie sizes.
  8. Coat with Sugar: Roll each dough ball in the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar until evenly coated to add sweetness and a slight crunch on the outside.
  9. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
  10. Flatten Dough Balls: Gently press each dough ball down slightly with the bottom of a glass or your fingers to achieve a flat cookie shape that bakes evenly.
  11. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown, signaling the perfect doneness for chewy soft centers.
  12. Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set properly.

Notes

  • Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming with the sugar.
  • If you prefer a chewier cookie, slightly underbake them for a softer center.
  • Almond extract can be omitted or replaced with another flavor extract if desired.
  • For a more uniform texture, chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling it into balls.
  • For extra sweetness, sprinkle a little extra sugar on the cookies immediately after baking.

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