If you’re craving a treat that wraps you in cozy comfort with every bite, then this Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe is exactly what your kitchen needs. These cookies are the perfect harmony of soft, chewy texture and rich, caramel-like sweetness thanks to the generous use of brown sugar. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just indulging yourself, these cookies hold that warm, homemade goodness that feels like a hug from the inside out.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe lies in its simplicity—you only need a handful of pantry staples that work together to create that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and a delicious golden color.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone that provides structure to your cookies, making them tender but sturdy.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise gently, contributing to a soft and slightly puffy texture.
- Baking powder: Gives an extra lift, balancing the leavening for a perfect crumb.
- Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and rounds out the taste.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and contributes to the melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Brown sugar: The star of the show, packed to add deep caramel flavors and moisture.
- Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps with slight crisp edges.
- Egg and egg yolk: Bind ingredients together while ensuring tenderness and chewiness.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the overall flavor.
How to Make Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheets
Start by heating your oven up to 350°F (175°C). While it warms, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. Getting this step right will keep your cookies from spreading too thin or burning on the bottom.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. This blend of dry ingredients will give your cookies the right fluffy yet tender texture by evenly distributing leavening agents and seasoning.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with 1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This aeration step is key to creating that irresistible cookie softness and that subtle caramel flavor.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in 1 large egg, 1 egg yolk, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract until everything is fully combined. The extra yolk boosts richness and chewiness, while vanilla enhances the deep flavors from the brown sugar.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients with Wet
Gradually add your flour mixture to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing just until the dough comes together. Overmixing at this stage can make the cookies tougher, so gentle incorporation is important for a tender crumb.
Step 6: Portion the Dough
Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, making sure to space them about 2 inches apart. Giving them space lets each cookie spread perfectly without merging into one another.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake in your oven for 10 to 12 minutes. You’ll want to catch them when the edges are lightly golden, but the centers remain soft. This moment is magical because it ensures a chewy center and crisp edges—the hallmark of a fantastic brown sugar cookie.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes so they set just right before you transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling phase is crucial for that perfect texture that melts in your mouth but still holds together beautifully.
How to Serve Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For a charming touch, try sprinkling a pinch of sea salt on the cookies just as they come out of the oven. The salt accentuates the sweetness and adds an appealing contrast. You can also dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a more festive look.
Side Dishes
Brown sugar cookies go wonderfully alongside a warm cup of coffee, chai tea, or hot chocolate, making any afternoon pause feel special. For a refreshing contrast, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a bowl of fresh berries.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re looking to impress guests, stack your cookies in little towers tied with ribbon for a sweet gift or display. Another fun idea is sandwiching two cookies with creamy frosting or dulce de leche for a decadent twist that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe is baked and completely cooled, keep them fresh by storing in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to five days—perfect for satisfying cookie cravings all week long.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies anytime, freeze them! Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze for an hour, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to three months without losing that signature softness.
Reheating
To revive the cookie’s just-baked warmth and softness, pop them in a warm oven for a few minutes or microwave briefly with a damp paper towel nearby to maintain moisture. Reheating this way brings back all the delicious flavors and textures like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I substitute brown sugar with white sugar?
While you can use white sugar, brown sugar is essential in this recipe for its moisture and caramel flavor. Substituting may make the cookies less chewy and alter the rich taste.
Why do the cookies need both baking soda and baking powder?
Using both helps achieve the ideal rise and texture. Baking soda reacts with the brown sugar’s acidity for chewiness, while baking powder adds extra lift for a tender cookie.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but if you do, reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe. This keeps the flavor balanced without becoming overly salty.
How do I make the cookies thicker?
Chilling the dough before baking or slightly increasing flour can help make thicker cookies. Just avoid overmixing to keep them tender.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free as written. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends, but results may vary in texture and spread.
Final Thoughts
This Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites to share because it’s simple to make and delivers that nostalgic, comforting flavor every time. Whether for everyday treats or special occasions, these cookies are sure to brighten anyone’s day. I can’t wait for you to try them and fall in love just like I have!
Print
Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these classic Brown Sugar Cookies that offer a perfect balance of soft, chewy texture and rich, caramel-like sweetness. Made with a blend of brown and granulated sugars, these cookies feature a tender crumb with lightly golden edges, ideal for any occasion or sweet craving.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure cookies do not stick and bake evenly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures that the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture until fully incorporated; this adds moisture and flavor to the dough.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough and ensure soft cookies.
- Portion Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft, providing a chewy texture.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them set properly without breaking.
Notes
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake and allow residual heat to finish cooking them on the baking sheet.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For added texture, sprinkle a pinch of coarse sugar on top of the cookie dough balls before baking.
