Description
Delight in these chewy brown sugar cookies that offer a perfect balance of sweetness and a soft, tender texture. Made with simple pantry ingredients like brown sugar and vanilla, these cookies are easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and packed brown sugar using an electric mixer or by hand until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated, ensuring a smooth and consistent dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape and Roll: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Then roll each ball in the granulated sugar to coat evenly.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the sugar-coated cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to give them space to spread.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set and lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
- Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For softer cookies, do not overbake; centers should remain slightly underbaked when removing from oven.
- Brown sugar type (light or dark) can affect flavor intensity; dark brown sugar gives a richer molasses taste.
- Storing cookies in an airtight container at room temperature helps maintain softness for up to 5 days.
- Optionally, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warm spice twist.
