These soft and chewy sugar cookies are a Christmas cookie staple! This no-chill dough sugar cookie recipe is full of simple ingredients and comes together quickly!
These easy Chewy Sugar Cookies are a family favorite, plus there is an easy step-by-step video to help you make the best sugar cookies ever!
A few years ago, I hit the jackpot.
The jackpot of ugly Christmas sweaters, that is.
For years–years!–I had been on a mission to find the perfect Christmas sweater (I have big dreams, guys).
All I wanted was one that was a little bit whimsy, full of personality, slightly tacky, and obnoxiously Christmasy.
I had pretty lofty expectations, and I wasn’t all that hopeful I’d actually meet those expectations. BUT (you knew this was coming), I never expected I would find something that would actually exceed my expectations.
At this hole-in-the-wall thrift store, I found this fantastically tacky, bright red sweater with cartoon cats decorating a tree with the words, “Meowy Christmas” written across the bottom.
Meowy Christmas.
Let’s just let that sink in for a sec.
Now, I’m pretty sure this was a handmade, one-of-a-kind sweater someone made for their cat-loving grandma. While I feel marginally guilty wearing it in jest when it was probably made in earnest, it’s probably the most comfortable thing I own.
And I wear it proudly during this season.
And proudly when I eat these chewy sugar cookies (that should be eaten with Peppermint Mocha Donuts, Peppermint Mochas, and Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes–I’d be just fine if the whole world was Peppermint-y and Mocha-y).
Guys, I’m practically a Christmas commercial.
I’m pretty sure it’s a law that sugar cookies must be consumed during the holidays. Right?? It’s practically Scrooge-like to forego the sugar cookie.
Whether they’re cutout sugar cookies, glazed sugar cookies, spicy molasses sugar cookies, or traditional chewy sugar cookies, it would be pretty sad to go through the whole season without the sugar cookie making an appearance (or multiple appearances–I’m not here to judge) in your Christmas life.
We usually do the whole frosted-cutout-sugar-cookies-with-sprinkles (so many sprinkles, in fact, that you still find them on your counter in June), but I opted for something slightly easier this year.
They’re still just as buttery and delicious, but they’re a lot less of a hassle. I mean, you don’t even have to chill the dough first.
Could they be any easier?
Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Tips & Tricks:
1. First things first, in case you missed it up at the top of this post, this is a no chill sugar cookie recipe, meaning you can bake these cookies right away!
2. Next, when rolling out the dough for this easy sugar cookie recipe, you do not have to flatten the dough before baking in the oven. The cookies will flatten as they bake (one of my favorite parts of this recipe and partially why I declare these the best sugar cookie recipe of my life!).
3. This is a basic sugar cookie dough recipe, but these soft sugar cookies turn out great every single time! Sometimes a classic cookie recipe is really all you need (because #comfortfood).
Rich, buttery, and chewy. Sugar done right.
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract,optional, but it adds an extra layer of flavor
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar, for dipping
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or coat with baking spray).
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In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract; beat until combined.
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Add in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix until just combined, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl every now and again.
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Roll dough into 1" balls, and roll in sugar.
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Place on baking sheet, about 2" apart. Bake for 10-11 minutes, or until cookies have set.
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Allow to cool.
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Enjoy!
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Feel free to frost them or cover them with a glaze, if desired.
Here are some other favorite cookie recipes:
Soft-Baked Cutout Sugar Cookies
Soft-Baked Lemon Glazed Sugar Cookies
Sabrina says
My kids love sugar cookies! They’re going to devour these!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
We love chewy sugar cookies! These look perfect!
Jen @ The Weary Chef says
My kids love chewy cookies! They’ll surely enjoy this! I think I need to make a double batch for them.
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
These cookies look so soft and fluffy – in other words, perfect!
Lora @savoringitaly says
These are one of my favorite holiday cookies. I love how easy they come together and they’re so fluffy!!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Your ugly sweater sounds perfect, Michelle! I’ve been to my fair share of ugly sweater parties over the years,and it’s amazing to me how many people hunt for the ugliest sweater and sell them for lots of $$ on ebay (where I bought mine). Now onto these cookies…YES! Chewy sugar cookies are my number one favorite, they even beat chocolate chippers. These look perfect, Michelle!
Cathy | Lemon Tree Dwelling says
I love how soft and pillowy these look….perfect for sinking your teeth into!
Jess says
Thank you for the recipe! I made these with my daughter for my niece as a “get better soon” snack after breaking her arm. She loved them! We substituted almond extract with cherry, added pink food coloring and pink sprinkles as well!
Erika says
I made a half-batch of these, and I added Lime Zest and juice and they are the softest, most delicate cookies ever!! Love love love!
Michelle says
Yay! I am so glad you loved them, Erika! ❤️ Thank you!
Skyler says
OMG!! Made these for my daughter’s birthday and they were the best! Super soft yet chewy and so good with frosting!
Stephanie Snack says
Yes! That’s exactly how I served mine! With home made cream cheese icing. Light and fluffy, both the cookies and the icing.
Jess says
Best recipe I have used!
Marissa says
These are really awesome, thanks for sharing. Glad I discovered this recipe! I do half of the recipe rolled in sugar, half with a few M&Ms on top 🙂
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says
These look so good, just begging to let my kids frost them!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Such a perfectly moist cookies!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Fabulous texture on these beauties!
Jenna says
These were bomb!
aubriana says
Cooked these with my sisters and they turned out super fluffy they are like clouds not really the flat cookies I was expecting but they are delicious.
Sarah says
These cookies are amazingly delicate and light, which is exactly what I was hoping they would be – thank you very much for sharing!
Lisa N Gregory says
Simply delish!!!!
Sherry says
These are sooooo delicious. I didn’t have any vanilla extract so i used almond exxtract. This recipe is quick, easy & delicious!!
Tati says
The cookies were a little to cake like! I specifically wanted chewy cookies but they were like a fluffy cake like sweet biscuit. overall pretty good recipe.
Jess says
Just made this recipe without the almond. Super simple and they came out delicious and fluffy! I actually flattened half of them to make them look like flat circles rather than fluffy mounds. But both tasted delicious! Thanks!
Shannon says
These are ah-maz-ing! Was going to give them away for Xmas tins. Do you know how long they’ll last in an airtight container? Thanks!
Broobs says
Really good ! I might add sprinkles next time and not use salted butter as well because mine were a bit salty.
Sarah Morales says
I know this recipe does not need to be refrigerated but can you? Also how long do the cookies once made last for?
Tina says
Great cookies,but I would say you should smash them just a bit
Cody says
I love these cookies. I made them this year for Christmas and had to make another batch this month because I missed them so much. However, mine turn out too flat, spreading on the pan. Any advise? Maybe I will add more flour next time.
Julia kuhn says
Just made these and added salted carmel loose tea from 2 tea bags…..delicious….would be good with Earl Grey or orange tea in them also…great recipe.
J.D. says
Love this recipe! I needed something fast but delicious. I’ve tried quite a few sugar cookie recipies throughout my 5 years as a mom, but this one was a major hit! They were definitely soft and chewy. Thank you!
Michelle says
Thank you so much, J.D.! I am so glad you e joyed them! ❤️
Claire says
Do you have to press these down at all before baking? Or simply bake them in ball shape? They look great!
Michelle says
Thanks, Claire! You do not have to press down on them–they will flatten as they bake!
peg says
I don’t know why but mine didn’t flatten. They’re really cute and pretty, but I’m wondering if there’s something I’m missingg?
Michelle says
Hi Peg! I’m not 100% certain, but if there was too much flour in the batter or if the baking soda/baking powder was expired, the cookies might not flatten. I’ve never had this problem before, but those would be my best guesses! Hope that helps!