Soft Sugar Cookies
230 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%)
Marianne Wilhoite says
Perfect sugar cookie. Equally good plain or with icing. Super easy to make.
Tabitha says
These are delicious and turned out perfect! My little ones loved pushing Christmas sprinkles in the tops of half of them before we baked them and they turned out perfect too. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
B says
These are delicious!
Sandi says
Easy
Tish Bourke says
The flavor is fab! I followed the recipe except for subbing half almond flavor. Mine were much flatter than what is shown, they didn’t run or get misshapen, just not as plump🤷🏻♀️.
Amaia says
Hey girl appreciate this recipe however the outcome is a dry dough and when baked it had a mushy doughy consistency:(
Connie says
THE BEST!!!
❤️❤️❤️
Kimberly says
Perfect cookies! Thank you been looking for years for the right one. Love them !
Sharon says
I bring these cookies to my senior club and they love them. I really enjoy making them!!
Danielle says
DELICIOUS, soft sugar cookie. We decorated the cookies with Julie’s frosting recipe. Kids had so much fun!
Kristina says
Cookies batter was just a crumby mess. Would not stay together. Cookies never spread and are hard as rocks the next day. Look for a better recipe.
Cathy says
Tried this recipe for the first time along with the recipe for icing that hardens. impressed with the ease and the taste. Yummy! Definitely going into my holiday cookie tray list. P.S. froze nicely between layers of parchment in an air tight container.
Adriana says
Delicious cookies. Next time I won’t roll them on sugar, they are super sweet. My son loved them!
mary says
the dough is way too dry. why?
Adriana says
I just had to use my hand to incorporate all ingredients at the end, and they came up perfect.
Keli Sawyer says
Why is my dough so dry? It’s crumbly and I can’t even do anything with it. I added another egg to see if that helps?
Dawn says
Make sure your butter is soft. These came out perfect.
Jodi says
This is exactly like the pillsbury cookies you buy at the holidays. Thank you for a great recipe. I followed the recipe exactly and rolled the dough balls in sugar. I love there is no ahead of time prep or chilling dough. My family enjoyed and it was so easy to whip up on a Saturday afternoon.