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To make chewy sugar cookies, gather these ingredients: - 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon baking powder - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature - 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, plus ½ cup for rolling - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ½ teaspoon almond extract - ½ teaspoon fine salt These ingredients work together to create soft, chewy cookies that melt in your mouth. You can easily swap some ingredients if needed. Here are some ideas: - Butter alternatives: Use coconut oil or vegan butter for a dairy-free option. - Egg replacement: Try a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water) for a vegan option. - Sugar options: Brown sugar can add a deeper flavor and more chewiness. These swaps allow you to adapt the recipe to fit your diet and preferences. When baking, the quality of the ingredients matters. Here are tips to help you choose wisely: - Flour: Use fresh, high-quality all-purpose flour. Check the expiration date to ensure freshness. - Sugar: Granulated sugar should be fine and free from clumps. This gives your cookies a nice texture. - Butter: Always use unsalted butter. This way, you can control the salt in your cookies. Choosing quality ingredients helps you bake the best chewy sugar cookies. Enjoy the process, and happy baking! {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by gathering your ingredients. You will need: - 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon baking powder - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, plus ½ cup for rolling - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ½ teaspoon almond extract - ½ teaspoon fine salt Measure each ingredient carefully. This step is key for perfect cookies. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and make cleanup easy. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Make sure they are well mixed. Set this bowl aside. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and 1 ½ cups of sugar. Beat this mixture for about three minutes. It should look light and fluffy. Next, add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mix. Beat on low speed until it all blends well. Now, slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mix. Mix on low speed until they just combine. Do not overmix, or your cookies may lose their chewy texture. Scoop out the dough using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon. Roll each piece into a ball. Then, coat each ball in the extra ½ cup of sugar. Place the sugar-coated balls on your baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each one. Gently flatten the tops using a fork or your fingertips. This helps them bake evenly. Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. They should be golden at the edges but soft in the center. Avoid overbaking to keep them chewy. When done, take the cookies out and let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes. After that, move them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your chewy sugar cookies! To get that perfect chewy texture in your sugar cookies, pay attention to a few key steps. First, use softened unsalted butter. It blends well with sugar and gives a nice, soft base. Cream the butter with sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes. This adds air and makes the cookies light. Next, mix the wet and dry ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Also, try to bake the cookies until they are lightly golden around the edges. They will continue to cook after you take them out. Many bakers make simple mistakes that can ruin their cookies. One big mistake is not measuring the flour correctly. Too much flour makes cookies dry. Use the spoon-and-level method for accuracy. Another mistake is skipping the chilling step. If you chill the dough for at least 30 minutes, it helps the cookies hold their shape. Lastly, don’t overbake. The cookies should look soft in the center when you take them out. Having the right tools makes baking easier and more fun. Here are some must-haves for making chewy sugar cookies: - Mixing bowls (medium and large) - Electric mixer or a whisk - Measuring cups and spoons - Cookie scoop or tablespoon - Baking sheets - Parchment paper - Wire rack for cooling With these tools, you can create cookies that are chewy, soft, and oh-so-delicious! Pro Tips Chill the Dough: For an even chewier texture, chill the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. This helps the flavors meld and prevents excessive spreading. Use Fresh Ingredients: Ensure your baking soda and baking powder are fresh for the best rise and texture. Old leavening agents can lead to flat cookies. Experiment with Mix-ins: Feel free to add chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to the dough for added flavor and texture. Just be mindful of the total volume to maintain cookie integrity. Store Properly: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer and transfer them to a zip-top bag. {{image_4}} You can make gluten-free chewy sugar cookies easily. Just replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend. Look for one that works well in baking. Make sure it has xanthan gum in it. This ingredient helps to mimic the texture of regular flour. Follow the same steps in the recipe. Your cookies will taste great and be safe for those who can’t eat gluten. To make vegan chewy sugar cookies, swap the butter for a plant-based alternative. Use coconut oil or vegan butter. Instead of a large egg, try a flaxseed egg. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens. Use this in your dough. The rest of the recipe stays the same. You’ll enjoy soft, chewy cookies without any animal products. You can add fun flavors to your chewy sugar cookies. Try mixing in chocolate chips for a tasty twist. About one cup of chips works well. You can also add nuts for extra crunch. Chopped walnuts or pecans complement the sweetness nicely. If you want a fruity touch, add some lemon or orange zest. A teaspoon will brighten up the flavor. These simple changes make your cookies unique and exciting! To keep your chewy sugar cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This keeps air out and helps the cookies stay soft. Place a piece of bread in the container. The bread adds moisture, which keeps the cookies chewy. You can store them at room temperature for up to a week. Freezing is a great way to save cookies for later. To freeze cookie dough, scoop the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour, then transfer them to a freezer bag. You can bake them straight from the freezer; just add a minute or two to the baking time. If you want to freeze baked cookies, let them cool completely. Layer the cookies in a freezer-safe container. Use parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. These cookies can last for up to three months in the freezer. The best containers for storing cookies are airtight ones. Glass jars, plastic containers, or metal tins all work well. Make sure they seal tightly to keep air out. Avoid using paper bags, as they let in air and moisture. For longer storage, use freezer bags when freezing dough or cookies. If your chewy sugar cookies spread too much, it could be due to a few reasons. First, your butter might be too warm. Use softened butter, not melted. Second, you may have skipped chilling the dough. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape. Lastly, ensure you measure your flour correctly. Too little flour can lead to excess spreading. If your cookies turn out hard, you can fix them! Try adding a bit more butter to the dough next time. Butter adds moisture, which helps with texture. You can also bake them for a shorter time. Cookies should look soft in the center when you take them out. Lastly, store them with a slice of bread. This keeps them moist and chewy. Yes, you can double the recipe! Just make sure you have enough space on your baking sheets. Take care to mix the dough well. Doubling the ingredients means more delicious cookies for everyone to enjoy. Keep in mind that you might need to bake them in batches if your oven is small. In this post, we explored how to make delicious chewy sugar cookies. We covered key ingredients, replacements, and tips for quality. I shared step-by-step instructions for mixing and baking, plus tricks to avoid common mistakes. Don't forget the tasty variations, like gluten-free and vegan recipes. Lastly, I guided you on proper storage to keep cookies fresh. Remember, great cookies start with great ingredients and careful techniques. Enjoy baking and sharing these treats with loved ones!

Chewy Sugar Bliss Cookies

Deliciously chewy sugar cookies rolled in sugar for a delightful treat.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2.75 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cups granulated sugar for rolling
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.5 teaspoon almond extract
  • 0.5 teaspoon fine salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and fine salt until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside as you prepare the wet ingredients.
  • In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar together. Beat the mixture on medium speed for about 3 minutes or until it becomes light, fluffy, and well-aerated.
  • Add in the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Beat the mixture on low speed until all ingredients are fully incorporated, ensuring a smooth and creamy texture.
  • Gradually add the reserved dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could affect the cookie's chewy texture.
  • Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, portion out the dough and roll each piece into a ball. Roll each dough ball in the remaining ½ cup of granulated sugar until they are fully coated.
  • Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading while baking.
  • Lightly flatten the tops of the dough balls using a fork or your fingertips, pressing down gently to create a slightly even surface.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes. The cookies should be lightly golden around the edges while remaining soft in the center. Avoid overbaking for that chewy texture.
  • Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. After that, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Create an inviting display by stacking the cookies on a decorative platter. For a festive touch, sprinkle colorful nonpareils over the top. Pair these delightful cookies with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate treat experience!
Keyword cookies, dessert, sugar cookies