If you’re searching for that perfect melt-in-your-mouth cookie that packs chewy magic in every bite, these Best Chewy Sugar Cookies are about to become your new obsession. Imagine golden edges, pillowy centers, and a glistening sugar crust—each cookie so tender you can’t help but reach for another. This recipe brings together simple pantry staples in a way that creates classic comfort with a sophisticated twist, all while making your kitchen smell like a sweet dream. You’ll want to share them (but saving a secret stash is highly recommended)!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Best Chewy Sugar Cookies lies in how just a handful of everyday ingredients are thoughtfully combined for irresistible results. Each one brings something special to create that iconic chewy texture, delicate sweetness, and gorgeous color. Here’s what you’ll need, and why it matters:
- All-purpose flour: Gives structure to your cookies while keeping them soft and light.
- Baking soda: Ensures a gentle rise and helps make those edges perfectly chewy, not crisp.
- Baking powder: Adds a hint of lift, setting up just the right balance of fluffiness.
- Salt: Intensifies flavor and highlights the sweet notes.
- Unsalted butter (softened): The secret to a rich, tender dough and glorious cookie flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and, when used for rolling, creates that signature sparkly finish.
- Egg: Responsible for structure and a bit of that irresistible chewiness.
- Egg yolk: Extra richness gives the cookies a dense, luscious bite.
- Vanilla extract: Elevates the flavor from simple to sublime, so don’t skip it.
- Cream cheese (softened): A surprise ingredient that adds creaminess and amplifies the chewy texture.
- Sugar for rolling: The finishing touch for a crackly, sparkling look and that first-taste crunch.
How to Make Best Chewy Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Begin by whisking together your flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This simple step ensures your leaveners are evenly distributed, preventing any surprises when you bite into your freshly baked cookies. The combined dry ingredients create the backbone for the cookies’ structure and soft, chewy crumb.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with 1 1/2 cups of sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This aeration step is vital for Best Chewy Sugar Cookies, building in that airy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Take your time—about two to three minutes with an electric mixer sets you up for cookie perfection!
Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Cream Cheese
Next, beat in your egg, extra yolk, vanilla extract, and softened cream cheese until the mixture is flawlessly smooth. That extra yolk and the cream cheese are your secret weapons for ultimate chewiness; they enrich the dough, giving each cookie that unforgettably soft bite.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Don’t be tempted to overwork the dough; gentle mixing ensures your Best Chewy Sugar Cookies bake up tender instead of tough. The dough should be soft, but not sticky—a testament to the perfect ratio of flour to fats.
Step 5: Shape and Sugar-Coat Your Cookies
Use a tablespoon to scoop dough balls, then roll each in the remaining granulated sugar. This coating gives each cookie a glimmering crust and a sweet initial crunch that contrasts perfectly with the chewy center. Place dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving two inches between each for spreading.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake cookies at 350°F for 10–12 minutes, watching for those telltale set edges and slightly soft centers. It’s tempting to overbake, but resist! Removing them a touch before you think they’re done gives you that iconic chew we crave. Let them cool on the baking sheet for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and revel in cookie bliss.
How to Serve Best Chewy Sugar Cookies
Garnishes
A sprinkle of colored sanding sugar before baking adds playful sparkle, or finish cooled cookies with a drizzle of white chocolate for a festive twist. For a hint of citrus, try a dusting of fresh lemon or orange zest—unexpected, but absolutely irresistible with the Best Chewy Sugar Cookies!
Side Dishes
Pair your cookies with classic cold milk, hot cocoa, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an ultimate treat. For grown-up gatherings, serve alongside espressos or dessert wine—these cookies adapt wonderfully to every occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them high and tie with a ribbon for edible gifts, or create a cookie sandwich with marshmallow fluff or buttercream in the middle. Arrange Best Chewy Sugar Cookies on a tiered platter with other favorites for a wow-factor dessert display at any celebration.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Slip in a slice of plain white bread to help maintain their signature chew (it’s an old bakery trick that really works!).
Freezing
The dough freezes beautifully: after rolling into balls, flash freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or two, for warm Best Chewy Sugar Cookies anytime the craving hits. Baked cookies freeze well, too—just wrap tightly and thaw at room temp.
Reheating
To revive leftover cookies, a quick zap in the microwave (about 8–10 seconds) brings back that just-baked softness and makes the flavors shine. Freshen from frozen by letting cookies thaw on the counter for 30 minutes, or warm them in the oven at 300°F for a couple of minutes.
FAQs
What makes these the Best Chewy Sugar Cookies?
It’s all about the combination of cream cheese and extra egg yolk, plus proper underbaking—these tweaks guarantee cookies that become deep-dish chewy rather than crumbly or dry.
Can I add mix-ins to the dough?
Absolutely! Try stirring in sprinkles, lemon zest, or even white chocolate chips for fun flavor spins without compromising the iconic chewy texture.
How do I keep my cookies from spreading too much?
If your dough feels very soft, chilling it for 30 minutes before baking helps the cookies keep their shape while still turning out perfectly soft and chewy.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Definitely! The dough can be made up to two days in advance—just keep it well wrapped in the fridge, then bake fresh Best Chewy Sugar Cookies whenever you’re ready.
What’s the best way to get evenly sized cookies?
Using a medium cookie scoop gives consistent results and helps every cookie bake evenly, so you get picture-perfect Best Chewy Sugar Cookies every batch.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve met the Best Chewy Sugar Cookies, it’s your turn to bring them to life in your kitchen. Every bite is pure bliss: soft, sweet, and bursting with homemade warmth. I promise, once you try these, you’ll want to bake a batch for every occasion—happy baking!
Print
Best Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Best Chewy Sugar Cookies are a classic favorite with a soft, tender texture and just the right amount of sweetness. Perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese (softened)
For Rolling:
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and cream cheese until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Form Dough Balls: Scoop dough into tablespoon-sized balls and roll in remaining sugar to coat.
- Bake: Place dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges are set and centers are slightly soft.
- Cool: Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For extra flavor, chill dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies keep their shape and develop a richer texture.
- Do not overbake to keep cookies soft and chewy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
