Soft Sugar Cookies
231 Comments
Posted: 12/04/18
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Chewy, soft sugar cookies are the perfect treat for any occasion. This no-chill dough recipe is super easy and results in the perfect drop sugar cookie. You can either roll them in sugar or frost them with my favorite frosting that hardens.
Plus, they freeze great which makes them the perfect cookie for making ahead of time for the holidays. Your cookie tray won’t be complete without them!
Dreaming of the perfect soft and chewy drop sugar cookie that is quick and easy to make? Here it is! The answer to all your wants and needs. These cookies are amazing. They are easy to make. They freeze great. They taste delicious. Need me to go on?
After I cheated and used the Slice and Bake Sugar Cookies from Pillsbury and people asked me for my recipe I shamefully told them my secret and vowed to develop a homemade version!
Here they are!
No you can’t NOT roll these out. That’s my number one question on these cookies. They won’t hold their form for cut out cookies. They are drop cookies so keep them that way!
Contents
show
Why this Recipe Works
- Soft, chewy perfection that is mouthwatering.
- No chilling required! A quick and easy sugar cookie recipe anyone can make with pantry staples.
- Pair it with our frosting for the ultimate duo of tastiness.
Steps to Prepare
The best part these drop sugar cookies are so easy to make. There’s not rolling or chilling involved.
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Then line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl cream together the butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy. You’ll actually be able to see it turn a lighter color.
Add in the egg and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
Then add the baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix until just combined. Gradually add flour, scraping down the sides the bowl as you mix it. Don’t over mix or the batter can turn tough.
Divide the cookie dough into 1 1/2 inch balls of dough, I recommend using a cookie scoop, and roll them in sugar if desired. Place on lined baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until just set. Do not over bake these or they won’t be soft! The edges won’t be golden brown.
How to Decorate Your Cookies
- To make these cookies festive roll them in color sugar or sprinkles before baking instead of white sugar.
- If you want to frost them make our Sugar Cookie Frosting (It hardens so you can stack them!) and sprinkles them with your favorite sprinkles.
- You can even mix in some right in the dough for a funfetti sugar cookie.
Expert Tips
- Make sure your butter is be soft enough that if you push on it you can make an imprint, but not soft enough your finger goes through the stick of butter.
- Don’t overwork the dough, it will toughen the dough.
- Bake until just set, overbaking will make a crispy cookie.
- Keeping the cookies the same size, helps ensure they will bake evenly.
- Allow them to cool completely before frosting.
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container on the counter for 2-3 days for best results.
These cookies freeze great too! Place them in an airtight container after they’ve completely cooled and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw them on the counter when you are ready to enjoy them.
- It doesn’t get cuter or easier than these no-bake Snowman Cookies!
- Soft, chewy Red Velvet Cookies that are stuffed with chocolate chips and topped with a cream cheese frosting!
- Mexican Wedding Cookies are the the quintessential Christmas cookie that are also called Russian Tea Cakes or Snowball Cookies. Few ingredients and they bake up quickly!
- A staple on our cookie trays are Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies that are totally addictive.
More Recipes You’re Sure to Love!
When you try these be sure to leave a five-star rating below, I know you’ll love these cookies! If you are over on Instagram, tag me at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Soft Sugar Cookies
These drop cookies are so easy and require no chilling. They are slightly crunchy around the outside and chewy in the middle.
cookies
Ingredients
- 1 c. butter softened
- 1 1/3 c. granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or coat with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy about 1 minutes. Add in egg and vanilla extract. Beat until combined.
- Next, add in the baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix until just combined. Gradually add flour mixing as you go. Make sure to scrape the side of the bowl every once in a while.
- If you want you can roll the dough into 1” balls and roll into granulated sugar, place about 2” apart on prepared baking sheet. Your other option is to drop tablespoons of dough onto cookie sheet about 2” apart if you don’t want sugar on them.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 10-11 minutes or until just set. You don't want to over bake them or they won't be chewy and soft!
- Remove from oven and cool.
- After they cool frosting them with my favorite homemade frosting or enjoy plain!
Tips
I frosted these cookies with my favorite Sugar Cookie Frosting that Hardens!
This recipe WILL NOT work to use as a cut out cookie because it will spread. This is meant to be a drop cookie.
If you have time to chill the dough for about a hour before baking it will result in a thicker cookie. If you don’t chill it the cookie will spread more. Chilling is not required, but if you want a thick cookie chill the dough.
We have found that using parchment paper to line the pan instead of a silicone mat will help the cookie spread less.
Do not melt your butter. You want it at room temperature to prevent spreading of the cookie.
Video
Nutrition Information
Calories: 141kcal (7%), Carbohydrates: 21g (7%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 5g (8%), Saturated Fat: 3g (19%), Cholesterol: 14mg (5%), Sodium: 81mg (4%), Potassium: 26mg (1%), Sugar: 8g (9%), Vitamin A: 165IU (3%), Calcium: 7mg (1%), Iron: 0.8mg (4%)
Caitlin says
I made these a week ago loved them, but when I made them tonight I couldn’t even ball the dough it was to sticky idk why?? You have any tips?
Julie says
My guess would be a difference in the butter? Was it more melted the second time around instead of softened?
Dolly B says
I made these cookies today .dec. 17 2020.. Folloed cape to the tee. . Couldn’t even scoop them out just way to dry. Had to add milk. Waiting to bake. If the don’t bake up good this recipe will go in garbage. . Sure hope these bake up good . Too wasteful.
Julie says
I’m sorry to hear that, Dolly. The dough should not end up dry, how long did you beat the butter and sugar?
Cathy says
Do you use unsalted or salted butter?
Julie Evink says
I used salted butter
Hanna says
Is it ok to use unsalted butter?
Julie Evink says
Sure I’d add a little salt to it about 1/2 tsp.
Sherry says
Thanks for an easy and delicious sugar cookie recipe. .I appreciate all the tips on your recipes.
Julie says
You’re welcome! I’m glad you loved it!
Paula says
Can the dough be made ahead of time. A day or two before?
Julie says
It’s best to make them fresh but you could probably refrigerate the dough overnight.
Michelle says
These did not turn out at all. Never even wasted my time making the frosting. Worst cookies I have ever made. They came out so thin that you could see through them and even if tried to frost them they would have crumbled.
Julie says
I’m really sorry to hear that, they should be fluffy and light! Old or expired baking soda or baking powder could be your culprit!
ann says
Good cookie, but I made them in a mini muffin pan I don’t know if that make the tast better but it was amazing.
Julie says
Sounds delicious! Glad you enjoyed them!
Lisa says
These cookies were delicious. Thank you for the recipe!
Julie says
You’re welcome!
Addison says
This recipe was delicious but where can I find the frosting recipe? Once again this recipe was delicious!!
Julie says
Glad you enjoyed it! The frosting recipe is in the link in Step 7.
https://www.julieseatsandtreats.com/homemade-sugar-cookie-frosting-that-hardens/
Caroline says
I just finished making these soft n chewy sugar cookies… only thing I did…. was add an egg yolk and only 1tsp of vanilla extract since I ran out and I didn’t have any almond… instead of just plain old white sugar to roll the dough in once into balls I added in some powder sugar with the white sugar…. these are fantastic tasting cookies…. my 5yr old daughter said these are the best cookies ever…. she’s eaten like 4 already lol…. I have to agree hands down best sugar cookie and I will def. be making these again n again… thank you for sharing your recipe 🙂
Julie says
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you and your daughter love them!
anonymous says
Good cookie, everybody loved it
Julie says
Awesome! Glad it was a hit!
anonymous says
do you need to have baking soda
Julie says
Yes, that is one of the leavening agents.
Angela says
I made these in a hurry for a super bowl party.
I picked these because the picture looked good😂
These turned out soooooooooo good. I used sweet salted cream butter and I think it made all the difference. Everyone at the party was asking for the recipe! I’m about to make them again to bring to work and thought I should write a review because they were soooo delish😋
Julie says
That’s awesome! I’m so happy they were a hit!
Maria says
My grandkids love these cookies and its fast to make
Julie says
Perfect! I’m glad they were a hit!
Chanaynay7 says
Does this recipe work are a sheer pan cookie?
Julie says
I have never tried it as a sheet pan cookie, it might work though! If you give it a try, let me know how it goes!
Grace says
LOVE THESE! Made them and baked about 10 and froze the rest in balls. Just got the frozen ones out last night, baked, whipped up a batch of my favorite almond buttercream frosting and they were AMAZING. Wonderful recipe- will definitely use this as my go-to sugar cookie now!
Julie says
Awesome! Thanks for sharing, Grace! I’m glad you enjoy them!
Eleanor says
I just made these dropped sugar cookies and they didn’t flatten out what could have happened
Julie Evink says
I’m sorry Eleanor to hear that. I’ve made these multiple times and they always spread for me.
Anonymous says
you might have forgotten to add something or it might have been from any humidity or from the oven. There are lots of reasons as to why it didn’t spread.
Julie says
Thanks for the tips!