Soft Sugar Cookies
on Jul 26, 2022
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These soft sugar cookies will definitely cure your cravings for something sweet! They feature a crunchy exterior that’s coated in sugar.
Serve these soft sugar holidays over the holidays. They’re also perfect as a snack when you’re in the mood for a treat!
What Are Soft Sugar Cookies?
These soft sugar cookies have a hint of vanilla flavor. As the name suggests, they’re a soft cookie and are deliciously sweet! The cookie dough is rolled into a ball and tossed in sugar before baking to create a crisp coating.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- all-purpose flour
- unsalted butter
- baking soda
- baking powder
- salt
- granulated sugar
- brown sugar
- egg
- vanilla extract
- sugar for rolling
(Note: Full recipe is at the bottom of the post)
How to Make Soft Sugar Cookies
- Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl and set aside.
- Cream the butter with the cup of granulated sugar and the brown sugar for 2-3 minutes at medium speed in a large bowl until fluffy and light in color.
- Add the egg and mix until well combined.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until the dough is thick and well combined. The dough should not be sticky. Do not over-mix as the cookies will be tough. Use a rubber spatula to form the dough into a ball.
- Use about1 ½ tablespoons of dough and gently roll to create balls. Roll each ball in the remaining sugar to coat and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies at 350°F for 7-8 minutes until the cookies have spread, the centers look soft, and the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets for 4-5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will still be a bit puffy but will deflate as they cool.
- Note that if you use all white granulated sugar instead of the 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, the cookies won’t spread as much and will be slightly thicker and not as soft.
Tips and Tricks
- It’s important to measure the flour accurately. Either use a food scale or a measuring cup. If using a measuring cup, stir the flour first before scooping it into the cup.
- Butter should be room temperature but not overly soft.
- Avoid overmixing the dough as the cookies can become tough or difficult to spread.
- Use about 1 ½ tablespoons to make the cookie balls.
How Long To Bake Soft Sugar Cookies
These soft sugar cookies bake quickly. They’ll take about 7-10 minutes to bake. Keep a close eye on them so they don’t burn. They’re ready to remove from the oven when the edges just begin to turn golden brown.
How To Decorate Your Cookies
- Make the cookies festive by rolling them in colored sugar or sprinkles.
- Use cutouts like moon or star shapes before sprinkling the sugar on the cookies.
How to Make Sugar Cookies Soft & Chewy
Using baking powder and baking soda helps to make these cookies soft. The egg helps to keep the dough moist. Larger-sized cookie dough balls will result in a softer cookie.
How to Freeze Soft Sugar Cookies
These soft sugar cookies freeze well. Let them cool completely and then place them into a freezer-safe container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, let the cookies thaw in the fridge or on the counter at room temperature.
Best Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup sugar , for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
- Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
- Cream the butter with the cup of granulated sugar and the brown sugar for 2-3 minutes at medium speed in a large bowl until fluffy and light in color.
- Add the egg and mix until well combined.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until the dough is thick and well combined. The dough should not be sticky. Do not over mix as the cookies will be tough. Use a rubber spatula to form the dough into a ball.
- Use 1 ½ tablespoons of dough and gently roll to create balls. Roll each ball in the remaining sugar to coat and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake the cookies for 7-8 minutes until the cookies have spread, the centers look soft, and the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets for 4-5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will still be a bit puffy but will deflate as they cool.
- Note that if you use all white granulated sugar instead of the 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, the cookies won’t spread as much and will be slightly thicker and not as soft.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
