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4.45 from 59 votes
Perfect Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
16 mins
Chill Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 1 min
 

Great as gifts or brought along to dinner parties, my Perfect Chewy Sugar Cookies are a lovely golden color, with a crinkly top and sugary (and chewy!) bite!

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 30
Author: Gemma Stafford
Ingredients
  • 2 ¾ cups (13 ¾ oz/389 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (8 oz/225 g) butter, at room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups (12 oz/340 g) plus ½ cup (4 oz/115 g) granulated sugar, divided
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. In  a medium bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside. 

  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and 1 ½ cups (12 oz/340 g) sugar together on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add in the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

  3. Turn the mixer on low speed and gradually add in the dry ingredients. continue mixing until the dough just comes together. 

  4. Scoop the dough into 30 (1 tablespoon-sized) balls then roll in the remaining ¼ cup (2 oz/57 g) sugar. Transfer to a plate and chill the rolled cookies for a minimum of 30 minutes.  

  5. Pre-heat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

  6. Arrange the cookies 2 inches (5 cm) apart on the prepared sheets and bake for 14-16 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Be sure not to over-bake to keep them soft.

  7. Remove from the oven and cool slightly on the baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

  8. Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.

Recipe Notes
  • Don’t skip chilling the dough or the cookies may spread too much when baking.
  • Try adding ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon or Homemade Mix Spice to the sugar before rolling the cookies in it.
  • Make citrus-chewy sugar cookies by adding 2 teaspoons of lemon, lime or orange zest (or a combination of all three into the dough when you are mixing the sugars and butter.
  • Elevate these simple cookies into a delicious dessert by serving them with a batch of my Homemade White Hot Chocolate.
  • Make chewy sugar cookies ahead of time: 
    • For this cookie, I suggest rolling and arranging the cookie balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet before freezing, as they will be all ready to go when thawed. Once solid, transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. 
    • To thaw, simply put the frozen cookie dough in the fridge until they aren't rock hard. Then, roll in granulated sugar and bake as directed. This is a super handy way to get prepared for all that holiday baking.
  • If you love chewy cookies, be sure to check out my Molasses CookiesOatmeal Cookies and Maple Pumpkin Cookies!