Looking to make your best batch yet? These sugar cookie tips ensure you get soft, chewy cookies with every bake.
Sugar Cookie Tips for the Best-Ever Treats
Updated on Jan. 31, 2024
Chewy sugar cookies are proof that the simplest recipes are often the most satisfying. To make these the superstars of your cookie jar, though, you’ll want to check out some sugar cookie tips.
1. Add an Egg Yolk
This is one of those sugar cookie tips you may have heard of before: Add an extra egg yolk to your cookies. While egg whites can add volume and structure to a cookie, the yolks add richness and moisture for a softer, chewier cookie.
Three egg yolks are the secret to these super tender, thick sugar cookies.
2. Use Brown Sugar
While most brown sugar recipes call for granulated sugar, consider scoping out recipes with a touch of brown sugar (or substituting up to half of the sugar in your go-to recipe with brown sugar). Brown sugar is comprised of about 10% molasses which adds moisture to the dough. This extra moisture and molasses’s sticky texture will create chewy, soft cookies.
And if you find your brown sugar has gone hard when you go to measure, follow these tips for softening brown sugar.
3. Chill the Dough
We borrowed one of our sugar cookie tips from our list of chocolate chip cookie tips: Chill the cookie dough before baking.
After stirring up the cookie dough, let it chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This will prevent the dough from spreading too much. Instead, you’ll have cookies that keep their shape and stay soft and chewy rather than flat and crispy. If you’re looking for crunch, though, check out our crisp sugar cookie recipe.
4. Add a Secret Ingredient
Sugar cookies often rely on a splash of vanilla extract and good butter for their flavor, but these basics are just the start. Try some secret ingredients like a hint of citrus zest, a splash of almond extract or even a bit of your favorite baking spice to the recipe. Even a pinch adds a special quality that makes your sugar cookie recipe uniquely yours.
5. Keep an Eye on the Clock
Even if a recipe promises the softest, chewiest cookies, you can’t expect those results if you overbake the cookies. Start by baking the cookies for the shortest time recommended. Cookies should be slightly soft and pliable when they come out of the oven. They will firm up a bit as they cool.
Also, check these sugar cookie tips for the best-ever treats.
6. Store Cookies the Right Way
Even the most tender cookies can go rock hard if they’re not stored properly. To keep cookies fresh, stash them in an air-tight container. A specialty cookie container can extend the shelf life of your cookies by several days.
And if you find that your cookies have gone too crunchy despite your best efforts, you can soften cookies with a slice of bread! This is one of our favorite sugar cookie tips (and tips for cookies in general!).
Try More Chewy Cookie Recipes
Old-Fashioned Whoopie PiesThese classic whoopie pies are a delicious cake-cookie hybrid, filled with a fluffy vanilla-tinged frosting. They are one of our favorite uniquely American treats.
Frosted Sugar CookiesHomemade frosted sugar cookies are like a cozy hug in a handheld bite!
Honey-Peanut Butter CookiesWhen my husband wants a treat, he requests these chewy peanut butter honey cookies. —Lucile Proctor, Panguitch, Utah
Big Soft Ginger CookiesThese ginger cookies are soft, easy to make and loaded with the flavors of fall.
Carrot CookiesCarrot cookies are sweet and colorful, a harmony between the garden and the dessert table. This recipe will add a bit of old-fashioned simplicity to your cookie lineup.
Ginger S’moresI’ve spent a few years perfecting this recipe to get the cookie soft and full of flavor and to balance the marshmallow and chocolate without overpowering the cookie. I think I finally got it where I want it!
—Lynsay Benson, Minnetonka, Minnesota
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip CookiesI'm one of the cooking project leaders for my daughter's 4-H club, where these soft, delicious fall cookies were a great hit with the kids. —Marietta Slater, Augusta, Kansas
Also check out these different types of chocolate chip cookies you’re not baking (yet!)
Soft Honey CookiesThese old-fashioned honey cookies have a subtle honey-cinnamon flavor and a tender texture. This recipe has been a favorite in my family for years and now it can be one at your house, too. —Rochelle Friedman, Brooklyn, New York
Chocolate Cherry CookiesWhen you want chocolate and tangy cherries, make these chocolate cherry chunk cookies. A thick cookie base studded with rich chocolate chunks and dried cherries is a satisfying snack or dessert.
Tiramisu CookiesThese tiramisu cookies bring out the delicious flavors of tiramisu, sandwich-style. Pack these treats in a decorative container for an easy edible hostess gift. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
SnickerdoodlesThis snickerdoodle recipe bakes up a batch of soft, tender cinnamon-sugar cookies. Don't forget the cream of tartar!
Ginger Creme Sandwich CookiesWith a lemony filling, these spiced cookies go over big because they have old-fashioned, comfort-food appeal. Your party guests will snatch them up! - Carol Walston, Granbury, Texas
Coconut MacaroonsThese crunchy, golden and chewy coconut macaroons are ideal for their simplicity and texture, and you can have this treat on the table in 30 minutes or less.
Also, explore Ina Garten’s apple pie bar recipe for a heavenly culinary experience!
Soft Cornmeal CookiesCombining humble ingredients can sometimes result in a delicious treat. Use these versatile cookie as the base for ice cream sandwiches or crumble them over strawberries and ice cream. —Gina Martin, Spooner, Wisconsin
Soft Tried ‘n’ True Peanut Butter CookiesBake up a batch of irresistible chewy peanut butter cookies with this simple recipe. These cookies are the perfect combination of peanut buttery goodness and soft, chewy texture.
Rainbow CookiesI always bake these cookies two weeks ahead. That allows enough time for mellowing, leaving them moist and full of almond flavor. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
Carrot Spice Thumbprint CookiesCarrot cake is a family favorite, and these delicious cookies with shredded carrots, dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, cinnamon and cloves taste very similar. They’re even topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. With each cookie it feels as if you’re eating a piece of carrot cake, but no fork is needed! —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Banana Chocolate Chip CookiesThese warm, gooey, indulgent banana chocolate chip cookies can be made in just 35 minutes. Bake a batch of three dozen to nosh on all week long.
Hazelnut Madeleine CookiesThese soft, cakelike cookies have a delicate hazelnut flavor—perfect for making great memories! They’re baked in the distinctive shell-shaped madeleine pan, available in kitchen specialty stores. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Pumpkin Spice CookiesBake and indulge in these pumpkin spice cookies to celebrate the fall season. The easy recipe uses cake mix for the soft and fluffy cookies.
French Toast CookiesI created these soft, sparkly cookies because my sister loves cinnamon French toast covered in maple syrup. In the case of these cookies, bigger is definitely better! I like to use white whole wheat flour, but any whole wheat flour will work.—Mary Shenk, Dekalb, Illinois
Blackberry Peekaboo CookiesMy grandmother bakes this recipe every year for the holidays. She uses homemade blackberry jam that she makes fresh every summer. These cookies are so delicious! —Jacquie Franklin, Hot Springs, Montana
Cherry SnowballsA juicy maraschino cherry is the secret center tucked inside these special cookies. My mom was inspired to create this by a recipe she clipped out of a newspaper more than 30 years ago. —Evy Adams, West Seneca, New York
Lemony Gingerbread Whoopie PiesThese spiced-just-right whoopie pies combine two popular flavors in one fun treat. The moist cookies are rolled in sugar before baking for a bit of crunch. —Jamie Jones, Madison, Georgia
Cashew Butter CookiesThese cashew butter cookies are on a more sophisticated level than peanut butter. They are vegan and gluten-free, so you'll be able to share with all your friends. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Good Luck Irish CookiesTo top off the meal, Connie bakes these appropriately Irish cookies. "But they taste good anytime," she says. "You can even change the food coloring to fit other holidays." —Connie Lou Blommers, Pella, Iowa
Fudge CookiesDelight in the rich, fudgy goodness of these easy-to-make fudge cookies. Perfect for chocolate lovers, these cookies combine semisweet chocolate, unsweetened chocolate and cocoa powder for an intensely chocolaty treat.
Maple CookiesThese maple cookies are a baker's dream. They're a bit different from the norm but, oh, so easy to love!
Mexican Hot Chocolate CookiesA little bit sweet and a little bit spicy, this Mexican hot chocolate cookie recipe is every bit as cozy as a cup of cocoa. Here's how to make these chewy, chocolaty cookies.
Cinnamon Sugar Crackle CookiesI get lots of compliments on these crunchy cookies. They're always part of my Christmas cookie platter. —Sarah Miller, Wauconda, Washington
Gooey Butter CookiesWhat do you get when you cross a gooey butter cake with crinkle cookies? You get these delicious and tender gooey butter cookies!
Chewy Oatmeal CookiesWhat's better than a perfectly chewy cookie full of delicious mix-ins? Nothing's better than that in my book. Here's how to make the best oatmeal cookies.
Peppermint MeltawaysWelcome the most wonderful time of the year with a batch of these festive peppermint meltaways.
Coconut CloudsCoconut lovers will have extra reason to celebrate when they taste these cakelike drop cookies. The generous frosting and coconut topping make them a hit at holiday cookie swaps. —Donna Scofield, Yakima, Washington
Brownie CookiesThe next time you long for a chocolaty dessert, bake up a batch of these jumbo-size brownie cookies. They are tender, rich and irresistibly delicious.
Mom’s Buttermilk CookiesThese soft, tangy buttermilk cookies are topped with creamy frosting are easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
Jammy DodgersOn my first trip to Great Britain, I stumbled upon these cookies (or biscuits, as they're known in the U.K.). These iconic treats, sold as Jammie Dodgers, can be found everywhere over there. Since I couldn't find them in the States, I had to make my own version. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
Mint-Filled CookiesI tuck a peppermint patty inside these treats for a fun surprise. The bites will melt in your mouth. —Karen Nielson, St. George, Utah
Orange TwistsThese soft and sweet twists have a long shelf life. You can make a number of flavor variations with this recipe, including lemon, cherry and almond. I sometimes add a confectioners' sugar glaze. —Raine Gottess, Lantana, Florida
Oatmeal Raisin CookiesSoft, sweet and homey, this 30-minute oatmeal raisin cookie recipe makes treats with a perfect, not-too-thick texture. They're the perfect match for a tall glass of cold milk, hot coffee or tea.
Amish Sugar CookiesThese easy-to-make, old-fashioned Amish sugar cookies simply melt in your mouth! I've passed this recipe around to many friends. After I gave it to my sister, she entered the cookies in a local fair and won best of show. —Sylvia Ford, Kennett, Missouri
Monster CookiesWho can resist gigantic monster cookies chock-full of goodies like chocolate chips, M&M's and peanut butter? If your appetite isn't quite monster-size, make them by heaping tablespoonfuls. This is the world's best monster cookies recipe. —Judy Fredenberg, Missoula, Montana
