The aroma of freshly baked cookies wafted through my kitchen, instantly transporting me back to my childhood. Each time I create these Chewy Sugar Cookies, I’m reminded of the beloved treats from the Great American Cookie Company, with their perfectly chewy centers and delightful sweetness. This recipe brings homemade joy with simple ingredients, making it not just a holiday favorite but also a comforting choice for any day. These cookies are not only quick to prepare but also add a touch of nostalgia, perfect for relishing or sharing with loved ones. Ready to dive into that chewy, lemon-kissed bliss? Let’s bake some magic together!
Why Are These Cookies So Special?
Irresistible, these Chewy Sugar Cookies will take you to cookie paradise with their melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s hard to beat. Simple ingredients make them easy to whip up anytime, transforming ordinary days into cookie celebrations. Nostalgic flavor reminiscent of the Great American Cookie Company guarantees smiles and sweet memories with every bite. Versatile options mean you can switch up flavors or decorate for special occasions, making them perfect for holidays or gifting. Plus, with just a quick prep time, you’ll have warm, delightful cookies ready in no time!
Chewy Sugar Cookies Ingredients
• Ready to make your own batch of dreamy Chewy Sugar Cookies? Here’s everything you need!
For the Cookie Dough
- Unsalted Butter – A key player for richness; ensure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Granulated Sugar – The main sweetener providing that lovely crisp edge.
- Brown Sugar – Adds moisture and depth; always use it firmly packed for the best results.
- Light Corn Syrup – Increases chewiness and prevents spreading; can be swapped with honey if desired.
- Large Egg – Binds everything together; room temperature helps it blend better.
- Vanilla Extract – Enhances flavor; feel free to adjust the quantity to suit your taste.
- Lemon Extract – Offers that familiar touch similar to GACC cookies; use almond extract for a different twist!
- All-Purpose Flour – Provides essential structure; measure carefully to achieve the perfect dough consistency.
- Salt – Balances out sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Baking Powder – Gives the cookies a delightful rise, ensuring they’re fluffy.
- Baking Soda – Reacts with the brown sugar to create that irresistible chewiness.
For the Finishing Touch
- Large Decorating Sugar – Adds a festive sparkle and slight crunch to your cookies before baking.
Now you’re all set! Gather these ingredients and get ready to create some enchanting Chewy Sugar Cookies that will bring joy to your kitchen!
Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Chewy Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This important step ensures that your Chewy Sugar Cookies start baking evenly as soon as they’re ready. While the oven heats up, gather your mixing bowls and baking sheets, preparing your workspace for the deliciousness ahead.
Step 2: Cream the Buttery Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, combine room temperature unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat these ingredients together with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture appears light and fluffy. You’ll notice a lovely creamy texture—this is key to achieving the chewy consistency in your cookies.
Step 3: Incorporate the Wet Ingredients
Next, mix in one large egg, along with vanilla and lemon extracts. Beat until everything is well combined, about 1-2 minutes. The batter should be smooth and homogenous, with a delightful aroma of vanilla and lemon wafting through your kitchen. This step adds moisture and flavor to your Chewy Sugar Cookies.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. This mixture will provide structure and leavening for your cookies. Make sure there are no lumps in the flour to achieve a perfect consistency. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined, ensuring not to overmix.
Step 5: Chill the Dough (If Needed)
If the dough feels too soft and sticky, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. Chilling the dough not only makes it easier to handle but also enhances the chewiness of your Chewy Sugar Cookies, helping them maintain their shape while baking.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Once chilled, use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough. Roll each portion into a ball and then coat them generously in large decorating sugar. This step adds a beautiful sparkle and a slight crunch to your cookies. The dough balls will be the perfect size for creating those deliciously chewy treats.
Step 7: Place on Baking Sheet
Arrange the coated dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure to space them about 2 inches apart. This space is crucial as the cookies will spread while baking, achieving that perfect chewy texture. The parchment paper also helps in easy removal after baking.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Slide the baking sheet into your preheated oven and bake the cookies for about 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them—you’re looking for golden brown edges while the centers remain soft. This is the hallmark of a chewy cookie, so don’t be afraid to take them out just before they look completely done.
Step 9: Cool Before Storing
Once baked, allow your Chewy Sugar Cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This resting period helps them set up perfectly. After, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the delightful aroma as they finish cooling, a sure sign that you’ve created something special!
Chewy Sugar Cookies Variations & Substitutions
Feel free to customize your Chewy Sugar Cookies and transform every batch into a delightful new experience!
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Honey Twist: Swap half of the light corn syrup with honey for a deliciously unique flavor. Honey not only adds sweetness but also lends a floral note that elevates your cookies to a new level of deliciousness.
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Almond Flavor: Replace the lemon extract with almond extract for a warm, nutty twist. This can create a delightful flavor profile, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of richness in their cookies.
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Orange Zest: Add grated orange zest to your dough for a burst of citrus flavor. This refreshing twist pairs beautifully with the sweetness, making it a fantastic choice for holiday gatherings or sunny days.
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Sprinkle Surprise: Use colorful sprinkles to roll your dough balls before baking for festive cookies. This simple addition adds whimsy and a pop of color, perfect for birthdays or celebrations!
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Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips to your dough for a classic chocolatey touch. Your Chewy Sugar Cookies can easily become a hybrid between sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies, appealing to all chocolate lovers.
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Nutty Crunch: Incorporate chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts into the dough. This adds a lovely crunchy texture and additional flavor, enhancing your chewy centers with delightful bites.
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Cinnamon Spice: Blend in a teaspoon of ground cinnamon for a hint of warmth and spice. It’s a comforting addition, especially during the fall and winter months, making these cookies perfect for cozy gatherings.
Feeling adventurous? You might also enjoy exploring other sweet treats like Thick Chewy Cookies or Pumpkin Oat Cookies for even more delectable options!
What to Serve with Chewy Sugar Cookies
Indulging in freshly baked Chewy Sugar Cookies is just the start of a delightful experience; pair them with these treats for a complete dessert spread.
- Tall Glass of Milk: A classic pairing, milk complements the sweetness and refreshing notes of the cookies for a comforting treat.
- Rich Hot Cocoa: Warm, velvety cocoa adds a cozy element; it brings out the cookies’ flavors beautifully, perfect for a chilly evening.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Creamy and smooth, ice cream creates a delicious contrast to the chewy texture of the cookies, turning a simple treat into an extraordinary dessert.
- Coffee or Espresso: The rich, bold flavors of coffee balance the sweetness, offering an energizing pick-me-up while savoring each cookie.
- Fruit Salad: A refreshing burst of fruit adds brightness to your dessert table and lightens the overall sweetness, perfect for guests who prefer fruity finishes.
- Frosted Cupcakes: The soft-serve experience of colorful cupcakes alongside your cookies can create a playful dessert display that’s visually stunning and utterly delightful.
- Berries with Whipped Cream: Fresh berries drizzled with whipped cream offer a light, tart counterpoint to the rich sweetness of the cookies.
- Chewy Granola Bars: For a more wholesome pairing, granola bars provide a chewy bite that complements the texture of your cookies while being a tad healthier.
- Lemonade: A zesty, chilled lemonade adds a refreshing tang that brightens the cookies’ lemon notes, perfect for warm days.
- Bourbon or Brandy: For a grown-up twist, a glass of bourbon or brandy can elevate your dessert experience, enhancing the flavors of the cookies with warmth and richness.
Expert Tips for Chewy Sugar Cookies
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Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure your unsalted butter is at room temperature. This helps achieve that luscious, chewy texture in your cookies.
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Chill If Needed: If your dough is too soft to handle, don’t skip chilling it! Refrigerating for 20 minutes enhances chewiness and prevents spread.
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Cookie Scoop Magic: Using a cookie scoop not only ensures uniform sizes, but it also helps your Chewy Sugar Cookies bake evenly, leading to consistent results every time.
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Avoid Overmixing: When combining wet and dry ingredients, mix only until just incorporated. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies instead of that tender chew we love.
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Watch Your Baking Time: Keep an eye on your cookies while they bake. They should be golden around the edges and slightly soft in the center, ensuring the perfect chewy finish.
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Experiment with Flavors: Don’t hesitate to personalize your cookies! Adjust extracts for different flavors and celebrate each batch of Chewy Sugar Cookies with a unique twist.
How to Store and Freeze Chewy Sugar Cookies
Airtight Container: Store your Chewy Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to keep them fresh and chewy.
Fridge: If you prefer a slightly firmer texture, store the cookies in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, but allow them to come to room temperature before enjoying.
Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to savor them.
Reheating: To bring back that fresh-baked taste, microwave a cookie for 10-15 seconds or warm them in the oven at 250°F (120°C) for about 5 minutes. Enjoy the delightful chewy goodness!
Make Ahead Options
These Chewy Sugar Cookies are perfect for meal prep enthusiasts looking to save time during busy weeknights! You can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance by mixing all the ingredients and then covering the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. To maintain that delightful chewiness, refrigerate the dough until you’re ready to bake. When you’re set to enjoy these cookies, simply scoop the dough, coat in sugar, and bake them straight from the fridge for 10 minutes. They’ll come out just as fresh and delicious as if you made them right away, making it a breeze to serve up warm treats whenever you crave them!
Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe FAQs
How do I know if my ingredients are ripe or fresh?
Absolutely! For baking, it’s crucial to use fresh ingredients. Check your butter by pressing a finger into it; if it’s soft but not melted, you’re good. Sugar doesn’t expire, but if your brown sugar is hard, microwave it in a sealed bag for 10 seconds to soften. Eggs should be just a few weeks old; if unsure, place them in water: fresh eggs sink, while old ones float.
What’s the best way to store leftover Chewy Sugar Cookies?
Very! Store your Chewy Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For maximum freshness, you can place a slice of bread in the container to absorb moisture; the cookies will stay lovely and chewy!
Can I freeze Chewy Sugar Cookies? How?
Absolutely! To freeze your cookies, first let them cool completely. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Afterward, transfer them to an airtight freezer bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature and indulge in your chewy goodness!
What can I do if my cookies spread too much while baking?
If your cookies spread excessively, you might have a temperature issue or too much moisture in the dough. To fix it, refrigerate the dough for another 20 minutes before baking to firm it up. Additionally, check your flour measurement; too little flour can cause spreading. Using a cookie scoop can also help maintain even sizes, which bakes more evenly!
Are there any dietary considerations I should keep in mind?
Of course! If you have allergies, be mindful of the ingredients. This recipe contains gluten (all-purpose flour) and dairy (butter). For gluten-free options, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. As for pets, ensure any baked goods aren’t shared with dogs, as ingredients like chocolate and certain sweeteners can be harmful. Always check ingredient labels when needed!
Irresistible Chewy Sugar Cookies That Melt in Your Mouth
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, combine room temperature unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Mix in one large egg, along with vanilla and lemon extracts. Beat until well combined, about 1-2 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- If the dough feels too soft, chill it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.
- Use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough and roll each portion into a ball. Coat them in large decorating sugar.
- Arrange the coated dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake for about 10 minutes, until golden brown around the edges.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
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