Good morning! If you’re craving those thick, soft sugar cookies like the ones from Smart Cookie, I’ve got a great recipe for you that should give you that same soft, chewy texture and buttery flavor. This recipe includes some tips for getting that thick and soft consistency you’re looking for!
Thick & Soft Sugar Cookies Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled for accuracy)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional, but adds a nice flavor boost)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (this is key to keeping the cookies soft)
- 1/2 cup coarse sugar (for rolling the cookies before baking)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Baking Sheets:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure even baking and prevent sticking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set this bowl aside.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer (or a stand mixer) to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes. You want this mixture to become light and fluffy, which helps make your cookies soft.
- Add Wet Ingredients:
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Beat on low until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated.
- Mix in the sour cream, which helps achieve that soft texture.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Start mixing on low speed and gradually increase. Do not overmix, as this can make the cookies less soft.
- Chill the Dough:
- This step is important for thick cookies! Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This will help the cookies hold their shape while baking.
- Form the Cookie Balls:
- After chilling, scoop the dough using a cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie). Roll the dough into balls and then roll them in the coarse sugar to coat them. This gives the cookies a nice sweet crunch on the outside.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden, but the center remains soft. For thick, soft cookies, you don’t want to overbake them!
- Cool & Serve:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set up and prevents them from falling apart.
Pro Tips for Soft, Thick Sugar Cookies:
- Don’t Overbake: Take them out when they’re just starting to golden around the edges, but still look slightly underdone in the middle. They’ll set as they cool.
- Chill the Dough: It’s essential to chill the dough before baking to help the cookies maintain their thickness.
- Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: These ingredients add moisture and help create a soft, tender texture, which is key for those pillowy cookies.
- Roll in Coarse Sugar: The sugar on the outside gives that slightly crispy, sugary exterior while keeping the inside soft.
Enjoy!
These cookies should come out soft, thick, and perfect for anyone who loves Smart Cookie’s signature sugar cookies. They’ll have that irresistible balance of chewy inside and a subtle, sweet exterior. Let me know how they turn out, and feel free to tweak the recipe as needed! 😊