Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe

Soft sugar cookies are a delightful treat, perfect for any occasion. These cookies are sweet, buttery, and have a pillowy soft texture that just melts in your mouth. With their delicate flavor and just the right amount of sweetness, they are sure to be a crowd favorite, whether you’re making them for the holidays or just as a quick snack.

This recipe is simple to follow and yields perfectly soft, chewy sugar cookies every time!

Total Time: 1 hour (includes chilling time)
Serving Size: About 24 cookies
Difficulty Level: Easy

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Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar (for the dough)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Sugar Coating:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for a slight flavor twist)

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Equipment Needed:

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer (or a hand whisk)
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cookie sheet
• Parchment paper (optional)
• Cooling rack
• Cookie scoop or tablespoon

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1.1 Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer (or a whisk) to cream the softened butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar together. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This process incorporates air into the dough, which helps make the cookies soft.

1.2 Add the Egg and Vanilla

Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

1.3 Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. These ingredients provide structure and tenderness to the cookies, with the cream of tartar helping to give them a soft texture.

1.4 Mix the Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Once it’s mostly combined, use a spatula or your hands to finish mixing until fully incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as that can make the cookies tough.

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Step 2: Chill the Dough

2.1 Chill the Dough

Once your dough is ready, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp kitchen towel, and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough is essential because it helps the cookies keep their shape when baking and prevents them from spreading too much.

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Step 3: Preheat the Oven and Prepare for Baking

3.1 Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick baking mat to ensure the cookies don’t stick.

3.2 Make the Sugar Coating

In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon (if using). Stir until the mixture is evenly combined. This will be used to roll the cookie dough balls, giving them a beautiful sparkle and extra flavor.

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Step 4: Shape the Cookies

4.1 Scoop the Dough

Once the dough is chilled, use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to form dough balls. Each ball should be about 1 inch in diameter.

4.2 Roll in Sugar

Roll each dough ball in the prepared sugar and cinnamon mixture to coat it evenly. This adds sweetness and a bit of crunch to the outside of the cookies.

4.3 Place on the Cookie Sheet

Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet. These cookies will spread slightly, so leaving space between them is important.

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Step 5: Bake the Cookies

5.1 Bake at 350°F (175°C)

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. Keep an eye on them because the cookies will continue to cook slightly once removed from the oven.

5.2 Do Not Overbake

For soft cookies, do not overbake! The cookies may look slightly underdone when you take them out, but they will continue to cook on the cookie sheet as they cool. You want them to remain soft and chewy.

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Step 6: Cool and Serve

6.1 Cool the Cookies

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up without becoming too fragile.

6.2 Serve and Enjoy!

Once cooled, enjoy your soft sugar cookies! They’re perfect on their own or paired with a hot cup of tea, milk, or coffee. You can also store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

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Tips and Notes

1. Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is important to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking. If you’re in a hurry, you can chill them for 15 minutes, but the longer, the better.
2. Do Not Overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to dense cookies.
3. Soft Butter: Make sure the butter is softened, but not melted, before mixing with the sugar. If it’s too cold, it won’t cream properly, and if it’s too warm, the dough may be too soft.
4. Sugar Coating Variations: You can skip the cinnamon for a classic sugar coating, or even experiment with other spices like nutmeg, or add a pinch of vanilla sugar for extra flavor.
5. Add-ins: You can customize these cookies by adding sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or even lemon zest to the dough for a unique twist.
6. Freezing the Dough: If you want to make the dough ahead of time, you can freeze it! Roll the dough into balls, coat in sugar, and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, store them in an airtight container or zip-top bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply place them on a baking sheet and bake as directed (you may need to add a minute or two to the baking time).

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Conclusion

This Soft Sugar Cookies recipe is simple, reliable, and delivers delicious results every time. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just a sweet treat for yourself, these cookies are the perfect balance of soft and chewy, with a hint of sweetness that will leave you coming back for more. Their light texture and sweet flavor make them a versatile dessert that everyone will love.