These soft and chewy sugar cookies are a Christmas cookie staple, because this is a no chill sugar cookie recipe! The centers are soft and the edges are chewy, making this one of my favorite sugar cookie recipes of all time!
These easy Chewy Sugar Cookies are a family favorite, plus there is an easy step-by-step video to help you make the best sugar cookies ever!
A few years ago, I hit the jackpot of ugly Christmas sweaters.
For years (no exaggeration) I had been on a mission to find the perfect Christmas sweater (obviously, I have big dreams)–one that was a bit whimsy, filled with personality and obnoxiously, over-the-top Christmasy.
I had pretty lofty expectations, and I wasn’t all that hopeful I’d actually meet those expectations. BUT (you knew this was coming), I never expected I would find something that would actually exceed my expectations.
At this hole-in-the-wall thrift store, I found this fantastically tacky, bright red sweater with cartoon cats decorating a tree with the words, “Meowy Christmas” written across the bottom.
The only thing that could make it better would be if the tree lit up.
Now, I’m pretty sure this was a handmade, one-of-a-kind sweater someone made for their cat-loving grandma. While I feel marginally guilty wearing it in jest when it was probably made in earnest, it’s probably the most comfortable thing I own.
And I wear it proudly during this season.
And proudly when I eat these chewy sugar cookies (that should be eaten with Peppermint Mocha Donuts, Peppermint Mochas, and Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes–I’d be just fine if the whole world was Peppermint-y and Mocha-y).
Guys, I’m practically a Christmas commercial.
I feel like it’s Christmas law that sugar cookies (of any kind) should be consumed during the holiday season.
It seems a little Scrooge-y and Grinch-like to skip out on a classic old fashioned sugar cookie like this, especially when you can top them with frosting (this easy sugar cookie frosting is the best!), decorate with royal icing, roll them in sprinkles or spread some peppermint ice cream in between them and call it a day.
Whether you’re making cutout sugar cookies or warm spiced molasses sugar cookies, or something more like these traditional chewy sugar cookies, the holidays just wouldn’t be the holidays without a plate of sugar cookies (or you can bake a batch and give it to a neighbor!).
Classic Chewy Sugar Cookie Ingredients:
- butter
- sugar
- flour
- baking soda & baking powder
- salt
- vanilla extract
- egg
- optional: almond extract
This is one of my favorite things to bake, because even though it’s a basic sugar cookie dough recipe, it has the perfect balance of flavor. The cookies are buttery and sweet without being overly sweet, they are soft on the inside yet still chewy, and you can eat them plain or frost them.
What Makes these sugar cookies chewy?
- The granulated sugar makes these ultra chewy sugar cookies. Similar to a snickerdoodle, the sugar to butter ratio (among other things) yields a nice, buttery and chewy sugar cookie.
What Makes these sugar cookies soft?
- The combination of baking soda and baking powder play a key role in keeping these cookies really soft. Additionally, the egg here helps to add the right amount of moisture to the sugar cookie dough to keep them soft.
When you put together what makes the cookies chewy and what makes the cookies soft, you’ve got the perfect balance of ingredients to make a perfect sugar cookie. 😉
Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Tips & Tricks:
1. First things first, in case you missed it up at the top of this post, this is a no chill sugar cookie recipe, meaning you can bake these cookies right away!
2. Next, when rolling out the dough for this easy sugar cookie recipe, you do not have to flatten the dough before baking in the oven. The cookies will flatten as they bake (one of my favorite parts of this recipe and partially why I declare these the best sugar cookie recipe of my life!).
3. I roll each cookie dough ball in sugar before baking. However, you can roll them in sprinkles instead. Around Christmas, I roll them in red and green sprinkles. For Valentine’s Day, red and pink. 4th of July, red, white and blue. It’s a super simple way to make them festive without going to any extra work.
4. The recipe below calls for almond extract. You can 100% omit the almond extract, if you’d prefer. I happen to love how almond and vanilla extract taste together, and I think it really adds to the depth of flavor in these cookies. However, these taste great with just vanilla extract!
What Makes these the Best Sugar Cookies?
- For me, what I love about these soft and chewy sugar cookies is that this recipe is so easy. It’s just a handful of simple ingredients. You don’t have to plan ahead because you don’t have to chill the sugar cookie dough. Finally, you roll them into balls, roll them in granulated sugar (this makes a crisp sugar cookie bite that then leads into a soft, chewy and buttery sugar cookie bite).
- I love how versatile this recipe is in terms of decorating sugar cookies. You can leave them plain (who doesn’t love a plain, soft sugar cookie every now and again?!), you can frost them or fill them with sprinkles.
- In fact, we love using this particular sugar cookie recipe for cookie decorating gift baskets. We put the baked sugar cookies, a jar of homemade frosting and a variety of holiday sprinkles (whichever holiday you’re making these for) and deliver it to friends and neighbors for a fun afternoon of cookie decorating.
Rich, buttery, and chewy. Sugar done right.
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, for dipping
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or coat with baking spray).
In a large bowl with a standing mixer or hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract; beat until combined.
- Add in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl every now and again.
- Roll dough into 1" balls, and roll in sugar.
- Place on baking sheet, about 2" apart. Bake for 10-11 minutes, or until cookies have set.
- Allow to cool.
- Enjoy!
- Feel free to frost them or cover them with a glaze, if desired.
*Alternately, instead of rolling in sugar, you can roll each cookie dough ball in sprinkles and bake as normal.
Here are some other favorite cookie recipes:
Soft-Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies
Updated photos in 2019 (original photos below).
Sabrina says
My kids love sugar cookies! They’re going to devour these!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
We love chewy sugar cookies! These look perfect!
Jen @ The Weary Chef says
My kids love chewy cookies! They’ll surely enjoy this! I think I need to make a double batch for them.
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
These cookies look so soft and fluffy – in other words, perfect!
Lora @savoringitaly says
These are one of my favorite holiday cookies. I love how easy they come together and they’re so fluffy!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Your ugly sweater sounds perfect, Michelle! I’ve been to my fair share of ugly sweater parties over the years,and it’s amazing to me how many people hunt for the ugliest sweater and sell them for lots of $$ on ebay (where I bought mine). Now onto these cookies…YES! Chewy sugar cookies are my number one favorite, they even beat chocolate chippers. These look perfect, Michelle!
Cathy | Lemon Tree Dwelling says
I love how soft and pillowy these look….perfect for sinking your teeth into!
Jess says
Thank you for the recipe! I made these with my daughter for my niece as a “get better soon” snack after breaking her arm. She loved them! We substituted almond extract with cherry, added pink food coloring and pink sprinkles as well!
Erika says
I made a half-batch of these, and I added Lime Zest and juice and they are the softest, most delicate cookies ever!! Love love love!
Michelle says
Yay! I am so glad you loved them, Erika! ❤️ Thank you!
Skyler says
OMG!! Made these for my daughter’s birthday and they were the best! Super soft yet chewy and so good with frosting!
Stephanie Snack says
Yes! That’s exactly how I served mine! With home made cream cheese icing. Light and fluffy, both the cookies and the icing.
Jess says
Best recipe I have used!
Marissa says
These are really awesome, thanks for sharing. Glad I discovered this recipe! I do half of the recipe rolled in sugar, half with a few M&Ms on top 🙂
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says
These look so good, just begging to let my kids frost them!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Such a perfectly moist cookies!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Fabulous texture on these beauties!
Jenna says
These were bomb!
aubriana says
Cooked these with my sisters and they turned out super fluffy they are like clouds not really the flat cookies I was expecting but they are delicious.
Sarah says
These cookies are amazingly delicate and light, which is exactly what I was hoping they would be – thank you very much for sharing!
Lisa N Gregory says
Simply delish!!!!
Sherry says
These are sooooo delicious. I didn’t have any vanilla extract so i used almond exxtract. This recipe is quick, easy & delicious!!
Tati says
The cookies were a little to cake like! I specifically wanted chewy cookies but they were like a fluffy cake like sweet biscuit. overall pretty good recipe.
Jess says
Just made this recipe without the almond. Super simple and they came out delicious and fluffy! I actually flattened half of them to make them look like flat circles rather than fluffy mounds. But both tasted delicious! Thanks!
Shannon says
These are ah-maz-ing! Was going to give them away for Xmas tins. Do you know how long they’ll last in an airtight container? Thanks!
Broobs says
Really good ! I might add sprinkles next time and not use salted butter as well because mine were a bit salty.
Sarah Morales says
I know this recipe does not need to be refrigerated but can you? Also how long do the cookies once made last for?
Tina says
Great cookies,but I would say you should smash them just a bit
Cody says
I love these cookies. I made them this year for Christmas and had to make another batch this month because I missed them so much. However, mine turn out too flat, spreading on the pan. Any advise? Maybe I will add more flour next time.
Julia kuhn says
Just made these and added salted carmel loose tea from 2 tea bags…..delicious….would be good with Earl Grey or orange tea in them also…great recipe.
J.D. says
Love this recipe! I needed something fast but delicious. I’ve tried quite a few sugar cookie recipies throughout my 5 years as a mom, but this one was a major hit! They were definitely soft and chewy. Thank you!
Michelle says
Thank you so much, J.D.! I am so glad you e joyed them! ❤️
Claire says
Do you have to press these down at all before baking? Or simply bake them in ball shape? They look great!
Michelle says
Thanks, Claire! You do not have to press down on them–they will flatten as they bake!
peg says
I don’t know why but mine didn’t flatten. They’re really cute and pretty, but I’m wondering if there’s something I’m missingg?
Michelle says
Hi Peg! I’m not 100% certain, but if there was too much flour in the batter or if the baking soda/baking powder was expired, the cookies might not flatten. I’ve never had this problem before, but those would be my best guesses! Hope that helps!
Victoria says
I don’t leave reviews on recipes often, but I am obsessed with these cookies. Best sugar cookie recipe I’ve ever made
Tillie says
Excellent recipe! No modifications needed!
Deba says
Wow delicious
Thank U
Susan says
These cookies are amazingly soft and chewy. So so easy to make
Sandra Slayton says
These are the best sugar cookies I have ever eaten – or made! I did not use the almond flavoring and found the vanilla flavor perfect! I will never use another sugar cookie recipe!
Leisa Moon says
I made these cookies in a whim and I’m glad I did. They were so good. I didn’t have baking soda so I left it out and they still turned out good! Definitely add the almond extract! Yum!
Matt says
I made this recipe for the first time today and it turned out even better than I expected. Incredible. One of the best sugar cookies I’ve had – really nice texture and flavor.
Mary says
The very best ever! My gang couldn’t stop eating them, and these weren’t kids, all adults!! Thank you!💕
Michelle says
I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Tori says
I made some cute cat cookies out of them and everyone loved them!