Craving a sweet treat in a hurry? These soft, chewy drop sugar cookies are the answer! No chilling required—just mix the dough, drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet, and bake. They come out golden, soft, and perfectly sweet. They're sure to become a family favorite, whether you enjoy them fresh out of the oven or save some for later—if they last that long!
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Below you will find tips, tricks and helpful hints for making this recipe including step by step instructions with pictures. If you would like to go directly to the recipe, scroll down to the recipe card or tap "Jump to Recipe" at the top of the page.
Why You'll Love This Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe
These drop sugar cookies are a total game-changer! With a chewy center and crispy edges, each bite is packed with sweet vanilla flavor.
What makes them even better? They're super easy to make—no chilling dough or rolling pins needed! Perfect for both beginners and experienced bakers, these cookies give you all the goodness without any hassle.
The combination of chewy texture and sweet vanilla flavor makes them a crowd favorite, and they’re the perfect way to enjoy a homemade treat with minimal effort. Be sure to also try these delicious Butterscotch Oatmeal Cookies!
Drop Sugar Cookie Ingredients
*Ingredient amounts are located in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- All-Purpose Flour: the foundation, giving structure to our cookies.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: these leavening agents ensure our cookies puff up just right, without spreading too thin.
- Salt: a pinch to balance the sweetness.
- Butter: for that irresistible richness and tender texture. I like to use salted butter when baking, but unsalted butter may be used as well.
- White Sugar: not just for sweetness but for that golden-brown charm.
- Egg: binds the ingredients, contributing to the chewiness.
- Vanilla and Almond Extracts: these essences infuse our cookies with aromatic depths.
How To Make Soft Sugar Cookies
[Step 1] Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a mixing bowl and set aside.
[Step 2] Beat the softened butter and 1 ½ cups of sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for 2 minutes. I recommend a Bosch Mixer. I’ve had mine for years and love it! Check it out here and on Amazon. Beat with the paddle attachment for 2 minutes. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter and sugar and mix.
[Step 3] Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
[Step 4] Using a medium cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons) scoop out the sugar cookie dough and roll it into a ball with your hands. Place the cookie dough ball into a bowl with ½ cup of sugar to completely coat.
[Step 5] Put the cookie dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat about 2 inches apart. Bake cookies at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.
[Step 6] Remove from the oven and allow to stay on the pan for 5 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and allow them to completely cool.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Mixing Bowl
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Cookie Scoop
- Cookie Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Silicone Mat
- Cooling Rack
How to Store Easy Sugar Cookies
To store sugar cookies, simply keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can freeze them.
Just place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze them, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container once they're solid. They’ll stay good in the freezer for up to three months—just thaw them at room temperature when you're ready to enjoy!
Drop Cookies Baking Tips & Tricks
- Use room temperature butter: Softened butter mixes better with the sugar, giving you a smoother dough and better texture in your cookies.
- Don’t overmix the dough: Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until incorporated to avoid tough cookies.
- Chill the dough (optional): While this recipe skips the chilling step, chilling the dough for 10-15 minutes can help the cookies hold their shape better and prevent spreading.
- Use a cookie scoop: For even-sized cookies, a cookie scoop is a great tool to drop dough onto the baking sheet.
- Bake on parchment paper: Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper ensures that the cookies won’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Add a sprinkle of sugar before baking: Gently sprinkle a little extra sugar on top of the dough balls before baking for a slightly crisp, sweet top.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet: Give your cookies room to spread by spacing them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
- Check the baking time: Keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. They should be golden around the edges but soft in the center when done. Don’t overbake!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I refrigerate the dough for no chill drop sugar cookies? You can refrigerate the dough, but it is not necessary. The beauty of these chewy cookies is that you can skip the chilling step altogether! The dough is designed to be used immediately, saving you time and allowing you to enjoy freshly baked cookies in no time.
- How do I prevent my no chill drop sugar cookies from spreading too much? To prevent excessive spreading, make sure your butter is at room temperature but not too soft. Also, avoid overmixing the dough and ensure your baking sheets are cool before placing the dough on them. Additionally, you can try chilling the dough for 10-15 minutes before baking if you're in a warm kitchen.
- Can I freeze the dough for later use? Yes, you can! If you want to make the dough ahead of time, you can portion it into balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer bag or container. When ready to bake, simply place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake as directed, adding a minute or two to the baking time if needed.
- How Long Do Sugar Cookies Stay Fresh? Sugar cookies will generally stay fresh for 3-5 days if you store them in an airtight container. Make sure to keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
More Sugar Cookie Recipes to Try:
- Best Rolled Sugar Cookie Recipe
- Gingerbread Sugar Cookies
- Eggnog Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
- Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies
- Easter Sugar Cookie Cups
- Chilled Crumbl Sugar Cookies
- Frosted Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Bars
- Biscoff Sugar Cookies
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Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Cup Butter softened
- 2 Cups White Sugar divided
- 1 Egg
- 2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- ½ Teaspoon Almond Extract optional
Instructions
- Chewy Sugar Cookies
- Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a mixing bowl and set aside.
- Place the softened butter and 1 ½ cups sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter and sugar and mix.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the cookie dough.
- Using a medium cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons) scoop out the dough and roll it into a ball with your hands.
- Place the cookie dough ball into a bowl with the other ½ cup of sugar and completely coat.
- Put the cookie dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat about 2 inches apart. Bake at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow to stay on the pan for 1-2 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and allow them to completely cool.
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