Capture that classic bakery-style chew in your own kitchen with these Best Soft Sugar Cookie, made with cream cheese and a hint of vanilla. Creaming the butter and sugar thoroughly gives them a tender, cake-like crumb that stays soft for days. They’re the kind of nostalgic treat that turns an ordinary afternoon into something sweetly special.
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Ingredients for Best Soft Sugar Cookie
For the Cookie Dough
- Unsalted Butter – Softened to room temperature for the creamiest texture.
- Granulated Sugar – Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the dough.
- Eggs – Room temperature is key for even mixing.
- Vanilla Extract – Pure extract is always the best choice for that warm, classic flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour – The foundation of the cookie dough; don’t skip it!
- Baking Powder – Gives the cookies their soft, slightly puffy texture.
- Salt – A pinch to balance out the sweetness and enhance the flavor.
- Granulated Sugar (for rolling) – Rolling the dough balls in sugar gives them that delightful sparkle and crunch.
Cook Time for Soft Sugar Cookies
You’ll have these perfect Soft Sugar Cookies ready to enjoy in no time at all. In fact, the whole process always feels so quick to me that I often whip up a batch on a whim. Just 20 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of baking is all it takes to create these homemade chewy holiday cookies.
| Stage | Time |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 30 minutes |
If you adore quick bakes like this, you’ll find so many more gems in my collection of easy cookie recipes to try next.
How to Make Best Soft Cookie Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Station
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This little step is my secret for perfect, even baking every single time.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2–3 minutes. This is the most important step for that dreamy, buttery soft cookie dough recipe! You want the mixture to be pale, fluffy, and fully combined.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract. I always use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl here to ensure everything gets mixed in evenly.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until they are evenly distributed. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until a soft, uniform dough forms and no dry flour remains.
Step 5: Shape & Sugar Coat
Roll 1 1/2-tablespoon portions of dough into balls between your palms, then coat each ball in the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. Place the balls 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets and gently flatten each to about 1/2-inch thickness with the bottom of a glass.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and set while the centers remain soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. You’ve just made the ultimate baked chewy vanilla sugar cookies!
Pro Tips & Tasty Tweaks
Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make these the absolute Best Soft Sugar Cookie. Here are my favorite ways to play with flavor and keep them tasting fresh.
- Flavor Swap: For a festive twist, swap the vanilla extract for almond or lemon extract. It’s a simple change that makes these feel like special holiday sugar cookies.
- Diet Tweaks: To make them a bit lighter, you can check out some of the clever swaps I use in my healthy baking recipes for inspiration.
- Texture Fix: For the chewiest sugar cookies, be sure not to overbake them. They should look slightly underdone when you pull them out—they’ll firm up as they cool.
- Storage Tip: Keep your fluffy sugar cookies with vanilla soft for days by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you need more great storage ideas, my guide on no-bake treats has some clever tips that work for all kinds of cookies.
Best Soft Sugar Cookie
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar for rolling
Equipment
- electric mixer
- oven
- baking sheet
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is fully incorporated.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until a soft dough forms and no streaks of flour remain; avoid overmixing.
- Place the 1/4 cup of granulated sugar for rolling in a small bowl. Scoop about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough, roll it into a ball between your palms, then roll it in the sugar to coat completely.
- Place the sugared dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets and gently flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass or your fingers.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just set and the bottoms are lightly golden; the centers should still look soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Nutrition and Health Benefits
While these Best Soft Sugar Cookie are definitely an indulgence, I love knowing exactly what goes into my homemade treats. Using real ingredients like butter, eggs, and pure vanilla means you’re enjoying a dessert without any hidden preservatives or artificial flavors.
One cookie provides that perfect little sweet bite while still fitting into a balanced lifestyle. For those watching their intake, I often enjoy half a cookie with a cup of tea — it’s just enough to satisfy my sweet tooth without going overboard.
If you’re looking for more nutrition-conscious options, my collection of healthy baking recipes offers plenty of inspiration. For truly special occasions, I sometimes turn to my healthier Valentine’s treats that still feel decadent.
According to The Science of Soft Cookies, the creaming method we use actually contributes to both texture and portion control, as the air incorporated helps create satisfaction with smaller servings.
A Lighter Version of Best Soft Cookie Recipe
Over the years, I’ve discovered several simple tweaks that lighten up these Soft Sugar Cookies without sacrificing that wonderful tender texture. My favorite swap is using half butter and half unsweetened applesauce — it keeps them moist while reducing fat content.
For a lower sugar option, you can reduce the granulated sugar by ¼ cup and add a teaspoon of cinnamon for extra flavor. The dough might be slightly less sweet, but the warm spice makes them feel just as special.
If you need completely sugar-free options, check out my vegan sugar cookie bars for inspiration on alternative sweeteners. For more holiday-friendly lighter treats, my Christmas cookies collection includes several low-sugar variations that still feel festive.
Thoughtful Tips for Special Diets
I’ve had many friends and family members who need to watch their sugar intake, so I’ve spent plenty of time experimenting with alternatives that still deliver that classic soft cookie experience. It’s all about finding what works for your needs while keeping the joy of baking alive.
For a diabetic-friendly version, I sometimes replace the sugar with a natural sweetener blend made for baking. Just be sure to check the conversion ratios since some alternatives are sweeter than sugar. I’ve found that using almond flour instead of all-purpose can also help create a lower glycemic treat that’s still wonderfully tender.
If you’re sugar-conscious but still want that traditional flavor, try reducing the sugar by one-third and adding a touch more vanilla. The cookies will be slightly less sweet but still have that familiar homemade sugar cookie taste we all love.
How to Serve Best Soft Sugar Cookie
I’ll never forget the first time I served these Best Soft Sugar Cookie to my grandmother — she took one bite and her eyes lit up exactly like they did when she tasted my grandfather’s baking decades ago. Now I make them every time family gathers, because there’s something about that soft, vanilla-kissed texture that brings people together.
These homemade chewy holiday cookies pair perfectly with a cold glass of milk for that classic combination we all remember from childhood. For afternoon tea, I love serving them alongside my Danish oatmeal cookies for a lovely texture contrast.
During holiday seasons, I often decorate these fluffy sugar cookies with vanilla with simple icing and sprinkles to make them extra special. They’re wonderful as part of a cookie platter alongside other favorites like peanut butter cookies for a variety that pleases everyone.
Mistakes to Avoid
Over the years, I’ve seen friends make a few common mistakes that can affect these Best Soft Sugar Cookie. Don’t worry though — I’ve learned how to prevent them through plenty of my own trial and error in the kitchen.
One big mistake is over-measuring the flour, which makes cookies dry and dense instead of soft and tender. Always spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off — never scoop directly from the bag.
Another issue is over-baking, which ruins that wonderful chewy texture we love in these Soft Sugar Cookies. Pull them out when they’re just set around the edges but still look slightly underdone in the center.
Using cold butter is my third common pitfall — it doesn’t cream properly with the sugar. As The Science of Soft Cookies explains, room-temperature butter helps create that perfect airy texture.
I learned these lessons the hard way when I first started baking, but now my Homemade Sugar Cookies turn out perfectly every time. Trust me — avoiding these simple mistakes will make all the difference in your baked chewy vanilla sugar cookies.
How to Store Best Soft Sugar Cookie
My grandmother always stored her cookies in an old ceramic jar with a tight-fitting lid, and to this day, that’s how I keep my Best Soft Sugar Cookie fresh and delicious. There’s something so comforting about reaching into that jar for a sweet treat with my afternoon tea.
For short-term storage, place your cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay perfectly soft for up to five days — if they last that long!
If you want to freeze them like I often do for holiday prep, wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap then place them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to three months and thaw beautifully at room temperature in about an hour.
For more storage tips and other cookie ideas, check out my Christmas cookies collection and Halloween cookies guide. You’ll find plenty of inspiration for keeping all your baked goods fresh and ready to enjoy.
Try This Best Soft Sugar Cookie Yourself
I hope you’ll give these Best Soft Sugar Cookie a try in your own kitchen — there’s nothing quite like the warmth and comfort of pulling a batch of homemade chewy holiday cookies from your oven. I still remember the first time I made them for my husband, watching his face light up with that first sweet bite.
Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just need a little comfort treat, this buttery soft cookie dough recipe never disappoints. It’s become my go-to for everything from holiday gatherings to simple weeknight desserts.
If you enjoy these fluffy sugar cookies with vanilla, you might also love my peanut butter cookies, Danish oatmeal cookies, or snickerdoodle recipe without cream of tartar. For smaller batches, my small batch oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are perfect when you just need a few treats.
However you choose to enjoy them, I’d love to hear about your baking adventures. These soft baked butter cookie recipes have brought so much joy to my kitchen, and I hope they do the same for yours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the secret to a soft cookie?
The secret lies in not overbaking and using the right ratio of fat to flour. Pull your Best Soft Sugar Cookie out of the oven when they still look slightly underdone in the center — they’ll continue cooking on the baking sheet.
What makes sugar cookies soft and chewy?
Using more brown sugar than white sugar creates that chewy texture we love in Soft Sugar Cookies. The molasses in brown sugar attracts and retains moisture, keeping your cookies soft for days.
What is the secret to a perfect sugar cookie?
Perfect Homemade Sugar Cookies start with properly creamed butter and sugar — it incorporates air for lift. Chilling the dough when needed and measuring ingredients accurately are also key to cookie success.
What are the fluffy sugar cookies called?
Those are typically called bakery-style sugar cookies or sometimes “pillowy” sugar cookies. My Best Soft Cookie Recipe produces exactly that kind of light, fluffy texture that melts in your mouth.
More Cookie Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed these soft sugar cookies, you might want to try these other family favorites that always disappear quickly from my cookie jar.
- Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars – Deliciously chewy bars with classic sugar cookie flavor that everyone can enjoy.
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies – Hearty cookies packed with oats and melty chocolate chips for the perfect comfort treat.
- Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies – Super easy cookies made with cake mix for when you need something quick and delicious.
- Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix – Make-ahead mix that lets you bake warm cinnamon-sugar cookies whenever the craving strikes.
- Easy Oatmeal Cookie Recipes – Simple and satisfying oatmeal cookies that come together in just one bowl.
- Healthy No-Bake Desserts – Lighter treats that don’t require oven time but still satisfy your sweet tooth perfectly.
