Nans Secret the Ultimate Soft Chewy Sugar Cookies

Recipe Introduction

Fancy a Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookie that melts in your mouth? Remember those Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies your grandma used to bake? I had a craving recently, and thought "I need to make something similar.

" This recipe nails that nostalgic taste. These cookies will transport you back to teatime.

What Makes These Chewy Sugar Cookies Special?

This recipe is tweaked from a family favorite. It's got a touch of cornstarch, honestly. Also, it includes a crucial chilling period.

This makes them extra soft. These Vanilla Sugar Cookies are not your average crispy biscuit.

Overview of This Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe

These treats have a simple background. They are a staple in many cultures. This recipe is easy. It takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, including chilling time.

You'll get around 24 cookies. Perfect for sharing, or not. Wink.

Why You'll Love Baking These Treats

These Homemade Sugar Cookies offer more than just Tasty Baking . Baking them is an activity to enjoy Baking with Kids .

I can almost guarantee that every kid likes it. This recipe uses cornstarch to make the cookies extra soft. They are perfect for parties or a cozy night in.

Honestly, the smell alone is worth it. Also, you can try making Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe .

Now, let's talk ingredients. Get ready to gather your butter, sugar, and a dash of magic. I'm telling you, folks, this is going to be epic.

This Chewy Sugar Cookie Recipe is something you can't miss.

Okay, let's get down to the nitty gritty and talk ingredients and equipment for these champion Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies .

You know, the kind that just melt in your mouth? They're seriously easy sugar cookies. This is the perfect Chewy Sugar Cookie Recipe .

Ingredients & Equipment: The Secret Weapons for Tasty Baking

Listen, Homemade Sugar Cookies are only as good as what you put in 'em, right? Quality matters, especially for these Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies !

Main Ingredients: Measuring Up to Greatness

• 1 cup (227g) of unsalted butter, softened. Seriously, softened , not melted! Think about the texture of mayonnaise.
• ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (150g) packed light brown sugar. Don't skimp on packing!
• 2 large eggs. Free range if you're feeling fancy.
• 2 teaspoons (10ml) vanilla extract. Splash out on the good stuff, it makes a difference! These Vanilla Sugar Cookies are so fragrant!
• 2 ¼ cups (281g) all-purpose flour. Don't pack it down when measuring.
• 1 teaspoon (5g) baking soda
• 1 teaspoon (3g) cream of tartar
• ½ teaspoon (3g) salt
• 2 tablespoons (16g) cornstarch. This is the secret to the chew!

Look, for quality, the butter is key. Go for a good brand; you’ll taste the difference. Trust me, I tried this recipe once with the cheap stuff and the cookies just weren't the same.

If you want to try a Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe after you bake, keep that ingredient list handy.

Seasoning Notes: The Spice is Right

This Easy Sugar Cookies recipe is pretty straightforward, but a few tweaks make all the difference.

• Vanilla is your main flavour here. If you wanna try something extra, a tiny pinch of nutmeg works wonders.
• For a little zing, a bit of lemon zest is really good.
• And don't forget about salt! It balances the sweetness perfectly.

Honestly, you can play around with other extracts too! Almond or even a tiny bit of orange can give these cookies a new dimension.

Equipment Needed: Keeping it Simple

You really don't need loads of fancy stuff for baking with kids.

• Electric mixer (stand or hand mixer).
• Large mixing bowl.
• Measuring cups and spoons. Obvious, right?
• Baking sheets. You probably already have these.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Makes cleanup a breeze.
• Cookie scoop (optional). For making sure your Chewy Sugar Cookies are uniform.

If you don’t have parchment paper, a well greased baking sheet will do in a pinch. A fork can mix ingredients if you don’t have an electric mixer, just takes some elbow grease, innit?.

You've nailed the basics now, off you pop and happy Tasty Baking !

Nan's Secret: The Ultimate Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies

Honestly, who doesn’t love a Soft Cookie Recipe ? These aren't just any Easy Sugar Cookies , they're special . This is my nan's recipe, tweaked and perfected over years of Tasty Baking .

These cookies are pillowy and delightful, perfect with a cuppa. Think Vanilla Sugar Cookies that melt in your mouth.

Prep Like a Pro for Top-Tier Cookies

Mise en place is your friend. Get everything measured out before you start. This saves time and prevents forgetting that vital ingredient. Soften your butter, this is key.

For a real time saver, measure out all your dry ingredients into one bowl. Whisk them together too. Trust me, it helps.

Safety first! Always use oven mitts when handling hot baking sheets. Don't be a hero, no one likes burnt fingers.

Baking Magic: step-by-step

1. Cream together 1 cup of softened butter, ¾ cup of granulated sugar, and ¾ cup of brown sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in 2 eggs one at a time, then stir in 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 ¼ cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar, ½ teaspoon of salt, and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Avoid overmixing!
5. Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour . Overnight is even better! This prevents spreading.
6. Preheat oven to 375° F ( 190° C) . Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Scoop dough onto baking sheets. Leave space between the cookies, they spread a bit. You can roll them in extra sugar if you're feeling fancy.
8. Bake for 8- 10 minutes . Edges should be lightly golden, centers still soft.

Pro Tips: Unlock the Cookie Secrets

Want that perfect Chewy Sugar Cookies texture? Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing = tough cookies. Chilling the dough is non-negotiable. It prevents spreading, and lets the flavours meld.

Common mistake? Overbaking. Take them out when the edges are lightly golden, even if the centers seem a bit soft. They'll firm up as they cool.

You can make the dough a day or two ahead. Just wrap it well and store it in the fridge.

Perfect for Baking with Kids if you want to break the process up. These Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies pair perfectly with a simple Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe , for a bit of extra sweetness.

These Homemade Sugar Cookies are more than just a recipe; they're a warm hug in cookie form. Enjoy every bite of these Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies , I know I will!

Recipe Notes: Let's Get This Tasty Baking Sorted!

Alright, before we dive into these Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies , let's chat. I've baked approximately a million cookies in my life.

I know exactly what can go wrong. These are my tried and-true tips, learned from many cookie mishaps.

Serving 'Em Up in Style

Presentation matters, you know? These Chewy Sugar Cookies are gorgeous. Plating is quite important in that scenario. Dust 'em with icing sugar, like they've been kissed by snow.

Or, if you're feeling fancy, a drizzle of simple Sugar Cookie Icing Recipe will do the trick.

Pair them with a cold glass of milk. Perhaps, offer a steaming mug of coffee. It's like a hug in a mug. These are lovely with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Keeping Your Cookies Fresh

Honestly, these never last long at my place! But, if you're not inhaling them immediately, here's the lowdown. Store your Homemade Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.

Want to keep them longer? Pop them in the fridge! They'll last for about a week.

Can you freeze these Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies ? Absolutely! Just wrap them tightly and freeze for up to two months.

To reheat, let them thaw at room temperature. A quick zap in the microwave (about 10 seconds) can warm them up nicely.

Mix It Up: Variations on a Theme

Fancy a little twist? For Lemon Sugar Cookies , add the zest of one lemon to the dough. It brightens up the flavour beautifully.

Trying to cater to dietary needs? Swap out the regular flour for a gluten-free blend. I've had good luck with King Arthur's.

You can substitute the butter, however margarine can alter the texture slightly.

Nutrition: The Sweet Facts

Okay, let's be real. These are cookies. They're a treat. One of these delightful Vanilla Sugar Cookies comes to about 150 calories.

But who's counting when they taste this good? Enjoy in moderation and savour every bite. Plus, Baking with Kids is an amazing way to instill values of moderation and balanced diet.

So, there you have it! A batch of Easy Sugar Cookies is within your reach. Don't be scared to experiment.

Remember, baking is all about having fun! With my Chewy Sugar Cookie Recipe and a little bit of love, you'll be well on your way to baking paradise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies spreading so much when I bake them? I want them like my nan used to make!

Spreading is a common cookie conundrum! The most likely culprit is the butter being too soft or the dough not being chilled long enough. Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and that you chill the dough for at least an hour, maybe even pop it in the fridge overnight like Nan used to do.

This allows the fats to solidify, which prevents the cookies from spreading too thin during baking.

Can I freeze the dough for these Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies? Sometimes I just want a couple, not a whole batch!

Absolutely! Freezing the dough is a brilliant way to have freshly baked cookies on demand. Just portion the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container.

When you're ready to bake, you can bake them straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. It's like magic!

My cookies are coming out a bit tough. What am I doing wrong? Are these Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies supposed to be like this?

Tough cookies? Oh dear, that's no good! Overmixing the dough is the most common reason for tough cookies, as it develops the gluten in the flour. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined no need to beat it to death!

Also, make sure you're not overbaking them; they should still look slightly soft in the center when you take them out of the oven.

Can I add different flavours to these Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies? I'm feeling a bit adventurous!

Go for it! Get your bake on!. Lemon zest (about a tablespoon) adds a lovely zing, or you could stir in some mini chocolate chips. A dash of almond extract instead of vanilla also creates a delicious nutty flavour. Get creative and make them your own just don't tell Nan we encouraged you to mess with her recipe!

How do I store these Soft & Chewy Sugar Cookies to keep them... well, soft and chewy?

The key to keeping these cookies soft and chewy is proper storage. Once they're completely cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Adding a slice of bread to the container can also help maintain their moisture.

They should stay fresh and delightful for up to 3-4 days, perfect for dunking in your tea throughout the week!