Sugar Cookies! A classic cookie recipe for an irresistible, soft, chewy and perfectly sweetened cookie that uses everyday basic ingredients. Perfect for when those cookie craving strike!

Chewy Sugar Cookies

So we’ve got frosted sugar cookies, cut out iced sugar cookies, sugar cookie bars, crisp sugar cookies and then there’s these super simple chewy sugar cookies. They’re similar to the cookies from the ready to bake dough you can get from the grocery store but way better!

And you’ll love how quick they are. You can have these cookies ready in 30 minutes.

It’s an old fashioned deliciously buttery cookie just like grandma made, and it will continue to be a cookie that will withstand the test of time. Everyone loves these!

They’re simple tasty cookies that take minimal effort but finish with completely delicious end results.

 

  • 2 1/2 cups (354g) all-purpose flour (scoop and level to measure, I like to use unbleached)
  • 1/2 tsp each baking soda and baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla

For print option see full recipe below.

How to Make Homemade Sugar Cookies from Scratch

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.
  • In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt, set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer cream together butter and sugar until well combined.
  • Mix in egg, egg yolk and vanilla.
  • Add in dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
  • Scoop dough out using a medium cookie scoop (or 1 1/2 Tbsp at a time, and roll into balls if not using a cookie scoop) and drop onto baking sheet, spacing them 2-inches apart.
  • Bake in preheated oven 9 – 11 minutes, they should appear slightly under-baked. If baking more than one batch at once rotate pans halfway through baking.
  • Cool on pan 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make Ahead and Storage

  • The cookie dough can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen. If going this route I recommend reducing the flour to 2 1/4 cups (cold cookie dough spreads less so the reduced flour will make up for that).
  • Just thaw frozen cookies in the fridge before baking.
  • Store baked cookies in an airtight container.
  • Baked cookies can be stored at room temperature, the fridge or the freezer.
  • They’ll last at room temperature about 3 days, in the fridge for about 1 week and the freezer up to 3 months.

Helpful Tips for Sugar Cookies

  • To soften butter let it rest at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours. If in a hurry I still cheat sometimes and do the microwave softening method (cook 3 seconds per side, rotate stick of butter to next side and repeat until butter is soft but not melted).
  • For high altitude I recommend using a little extra flour (2 2/3 cups total) or chill the dough for 30 to 60 minutes before baking so the cookies don’t spread so much.
  • If you don’t have a stand mixer a hand mixer will work as well. If dough gets heavy as you add the flour you can stir the remainder in by hand with a wooden spoon.

Possible Variations

  • Chocolate chips can be added to the cookies.
  • Sprinkle with colorful sugar sprinkles before baking.
  • For more flavor you can add 1/2 tsp almond extract.
  • Try them with chopped nuts if preferred. Pecans or walnuts are great choices.
  • If you’d like them a little less sweet sugar can be reduced by 1/4 cup, I don’t recommend reducing by much more than that though or it will alter the texture and spread of the cookies.
  • Brownie Cookies
  • Coconut Macaroons
  • Lemon Meltaway Cookies
  • Linzer Cookies
  • Peanut Butter Cookies

4.74 from 19 votes Review Recipe

Sugar Cookies

A classic cookie recipe for an irresistible soft, chewy and perfectly sweetened cookie that uses everyday basic ingredients. Perfect for when those cookie craving strike!

Watch the video

Servings: 32

Prep15 minutesCook10 minutesReady in: 30 minutes

Ingredients2 1/2 cups (354g) all-purpose flour (scoop and level to measure, don’t spoon and level)1/2 tsp baking soda1/2 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp salt1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened1 large egg1 large egg yolk1 Tbsp vanilla

InstructionsPreheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt, set aside.In the bowl of an electric stand mixer cream together butter and sugar until well combined.Mix in egg, egg yolk and vanilla.Add in flour mixture and mix just until combined. If cookie dough seems very soft chill for 1 hour before proceeding so cookies spread less.Scoop dough out using a medium cookie scoop (or 1 1/2 Tbsp at a time, and roll into balls if not using a cookie scoop) and drop onto baking sheet, spacing them 2-inches apart.Bake in preheated oven 9 - 11 minutes, they should appear slightly under-baked. If baking two batches at once then rotate pans halfway through baking.Cool on pan 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.Store cookies in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts Sugar Cookies

	Amount Per Serving

Calories 132 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%Saturated Fat 4g25%Trans Fat 1gPolyunsaturated Fat 1gMonounsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 26mg9%Sodium 57mg2%Potassium 23mg1%Carbohydrates 18g6%Fiber 1g4%Sugar 9g10%Protein 1g2% Vitamin A 192IU4%Calcium 8mg1%Iron 1mg6% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Keyword: sugar cookies

4.74 from 19 votes

Review Recipe

Watch the video

Nutrition Facts Sugar Cookies

	Amount Per Serving

Calories 132 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%Saturated Fat 4g25%Trans Fat 1gPolyunsaturated Fat 1gMonounsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 26mg9%Sodium 57mg2%Potassium 23mg1%Carbohydrates 18g6%Fiber 1g4%Sugar 9g10%Protein 1g2% Vitamin A 192IU4%Calcium 8mg1%Iron 1mg6% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Nutrition Facts

Sugar Cookies

	Amount Per Serving

Calories 132 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 2g

Cholesterol 26mg9%

Sodium 57mg2%

Potassium 23mg1%

Carbohydrates 18g6%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 9g10%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 192IU4%

Calcium 8mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

  • Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword: sugar cookies