The Coziest Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe Ever Made

Sweet dreams come alive with these irresistible soft and chewy sugar cookies that melt in your mouth.

Butter and sugar dance together to create a delightful treat perfect for any occasion.

Crisp edges give way to a tender center that whispers comfort and joy.

Each bite promises pure happiness wrapped in a classic dessert.

Grandma’s secret techniques shine through in this simple yet magical recipe.

Make space on your baking sheet for a moment of pure deliciousness that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why Soft Sugar Cookies with a Snickerdoodle Twist Are So Good

• Effortless Baking Delight: Whip up these cookies with simple ingredients and basic kitchen tools, making it a stress-free baking experience for everyone from beginners to seasoned home bakers.
• Customize Your Comfort: Transform the recipe into classic sugar cookies or snickerdoodles with a quick cinnamon twist, offering versatility for different taste preferences and mood swings.
• Texture Paradise: Achieve that perfect soft and chewy texture that melts in your mouth, creating a mouthwatering treat that will have everyone reaching for seconds and asking for the recipe.
• Quick Sweet Satisfaction: Prepare these delectable cookies in under half an hour, making them ideal for sudden cravings, last-minute desserts, or unexpected guests craving something sweet.

Sugar Cookies with Snickerdoodle Twist Ingredients

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for soft cookies.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create chewy texture.
• Flour: Core structure for the cookie dough.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture.

• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light.
• Cornstarch: Contributes to soft, tender cookie texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic cookie flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste balance.
• Granulated Sugar: Used for coating and extra sweetness.
• Cinnamon (Optional): Provides classic Snickerdoodle twist.

Sugar Snickerdoodle Cookies Prep Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Station

Get your oven warmed up to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies will bake evenly and won’t stick.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

Use an electric mixer to blend butter and sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and light. This process helps create that melt-in-your-mouth texture we all love.

Step 3: Add Moisture and Flavor

• Vanilla extract
• Egg

Blend until everything looks smooth and combined.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Cornstarch
• Salt

These ingredients will give your cookies the perfect structure and taste.

Step 5: Create Cookie Dough

Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture on low speed. If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle in an extra tablespoon of flour.

Step 6: Shape Delightful Cookies

Roll dough into small balls and coat with granulated sugar. For a Snickerdoodle twist, mix cinnamon into the dough and roll in a cinnamon-sugar blend.

Step 7: Arrange on Baking Sheet

Place cookie balls with enough space between them to prevent merging during baking.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden. The centers might look slightly underbaked – that’s exactly what you want for soft, chewy cookies!

Step 9: Cool and Set

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10: Savor and Enjoy

Grab a cookie and relish the soft, sweet goodness you’ve just created!

Cookie Tips That Bring a Snickerdoodle Twist to Sugar Dough

• Keep Dough Chilled: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development.
• Master the Texture: Don't overmix the dough to maintain soft, tender cookies that remain chewy and melt-in-your-mouth.
• Prevent Sticking: Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure easy cookie removal and even baking.
• Customize Coating: Experiment with different sugar coatings like turbinado sugar or add spices like nutmeg for unique flavor variations.
• Achieve Perfect Doneness: Remove cookies when edges are golden but centers look slightly underbaked to guarantee a soft, chewy texture.

Storing Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies with a Twist

• Store cookies in an airtight container, layered between parchment paper, for up to 5 days. Keep in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Keep cookies in a sealed container with a tight lid at room temperature for 2-3 days. Add a slice of bread to maintain moisture and softness.
• Warm cookies in the microwave for 8-10 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-4 minutes to restore their soft, fresh-baked texture.

Bites That Go with Snickerdoodle Sugar Cookies

• Indulgent Milk Pairing: Creamy whole milk complements the soft, sweet cookies perfectly, creating a nostalgic childhood treat that melts in your mouth.
• Spiced Chai Companion: Warm, aromatic chai tea balances the cookie's sweetness with its complex blend of cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger, enhancing the snickerdoodle's warm notes.
• Dessert Wine Delight: Choose a late-harvest Riesling or moscato, whose honeyed sweetness and light acidity beautifully highlight the cookie's delicate texture and cinnamon undertones.
• Artisanal Coffee Match: Rich, smooth espresso or vanilla-infused cold brew cuts through the cookie's sweetness, providing a sophisticated contrast that elevates the entire dessert experience.

Snickerdoodle Cookie Style Ideas

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the texture remains soft and chewy. Add xanthan gum for better binding and structure.
• Vegan Sugar Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Use a flax egg (ground flaxseed mixed with water) instead of a chicken egg to maintain moisture and binding.
• Keto-Friendly Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or coconut flour. Use a low-carb sweetener like erythritol or monk fruit instead of granulated sugar. Add extra vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
• Dairy-Free Variation: Use coconut oil or plant-based butter alternatives. Ensure all ingredients are dairy-free and check ingredient labels carefully to maintain the cookie's original texture and taste.

FAQs

• Why use cornstarch in this cookie recipe?

Cornstarch helps create an extra soft, tender texture by reducing gluten formation and adding a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth quality to the cookies.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months before baking.

• How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking, and ensure your butter isn’t too soft. Room temperature butter (not melted) helps cookies maintain their shape.

• Why are the centers slightly underbaked?

This technique keeps the cookies soft and chewy. The cookies will continue to set as they cool, resulting in a perfect texture that’s neither too crisp nor too soft.

Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sugar lovers will adore this classic Sugar Cookies recipe that brings pure comfort to dessert time. Crisp edges, sweet centers, and buttery goodness make these cookies a delightful treat you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Coating:

• Extra sugar for rolling

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
2. Utilize an electric mixer to transform butter and sugar into a cloud-like, airy mixture through vigorous creaming for approximately 2-3 minutes.
3. Introduce vanilla extract and egg, blending thoroughly until the mixture achieves a uniform consistency.
4. Create a separate dry ingredient zone, meticulously whisking flour, baking soda, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt to ensure even distribution.
5. Gently incorporate dry ingredients into the wet mixture using low-speed mixing, stopping precisely when combined. Adjust dough texture by adding a touch of flour if excessively sticky.
6. Craft uniform dough spheres using a tablespoon measure, then delicately coat each in granulated sugar. For a Snickerdoodle variation, infuse cinnamon into the dough and roll in a fragrant cinnamon-sugar blend.
7. Strategically position cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet, allowing sufficient spacing for elegant expansion.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, targeting a delicate golden edge while maintaining a slightly underdone center – the hallmark of a perfectly textured cookie.
9. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, facilitating subtle structural stabilization before transferring to a cooling rack.
10. Savor the delectable result of your culinary craftsmanship.

Notes

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create a thicker, chewier cookie.
• Customize the flavor by experimenting with different extracts like almond or maple instead of vanilla.
• Use room temperature butter and egg to ensure smooth, even mixing and optimal cookie texture.
• For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg