These brown sugar cookies are soft, chewy, and full of sweetness! With a lovely caramel flavor from the brown sugar, they make a perfect treat for any day.
I love how quick and easy they are to whip up. Just mix, scoop, and bake! The smell of these cookies baking will make your kitchen feel so cozy. 🍪
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is key for that rich, caramel-like flavor. You can use light or dark brown sugar depending on how robust you want the taste. If you run out of brown sugar, mix white sugar with a tablespoon of molasses per cup to mimic the flavor.
Butter: Unsalted butter gives the best taste control. If you want a dairy-free option, use coconut oil or a vegan butter substitute. Just make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
Flour: All-purpose flour is standard for this recipe. If you need a gluten-free option, you can use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, which usually works well in cookies.
Eggs: The egg helps bind the cookies together. If you’re vegan or allergic, flaxseed meal (1 tablespoon mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water) or a store-bought egg replacer can work too.
How Do I Achieve the Perfect Cookie Texture?
Getting the texture just right can make all the difference! Here are tips for soft, chewy cookies:
- Don’t overmix the dough after adding the dry ingredients—mix just until combined.
- Rolling the dough in sugar adds crunch and sweetness. It’s optional but worth it!
- For soft centers, take the cookies out of the oven while they still look slightly underbaked—they will continue cooking on the baking sheet.
- Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes; this helps them firm up without getting too hard.
These tips and ingredient choices will help you bake cookies that are deliciously soft and chewy every time! Enjoy baking!
Brown Sugar Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Granulated sugar for rolling (optional)
- Coarse sea salt for sprinkling (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious recipe takes about 15 minutes to prep and around 12-15 minutes to bake, making the total time approximately 30 minutes from start to finish. After that, let the cookies cool for a few minutes and enjoy your warm, freshly baked treats!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). This step is super important because it helps cookies bake evenly. While that’s heating up, line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper to keep your cookies from sticking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This will ensure that the baking soda is evenly distributed throughout the flour for the best rise.
3. Combine the Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, pour in your melted butter and add the packed brown sugar. Use a whisk or a spoon to mix these together until they’re smooth and creamy. It should look nice and shiny! Next, add in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well combined and smooth.
4. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add your dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! You want to keep that softness in your cookies. If you want a sprinkle of flavor, you can fold in some chocolate chips too!
5. Shape the Dough:
Scoop out rounded tablespoonfuls of dough and roll them into balls with your hands. If you like a little crunch, you can roll them in granulated sugar. This will give your cookies a lovely sparkly finish!
6. Bake the Cookies:
Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the lined baking sheets. If you’re using coarse sea salt, sprinkle a tiny bit on each dough ball for a delicious savory contrast. Pop them in your preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are set, but the centers still look soft.
7. Cool and Enjoy:
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This helps them firm up a bit. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. And voila! Your delightful brown sugar cookies are ready to be enjoyed! Store them in an airtight container to keep them soft and chewy.
Enjoy your cookies with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage! They are guaranteed to bring smiles all around!
Can I Use Different Types of Sugar?
Yes! While brown sugar is key for flavor, you can mix in some granulated sugar if you want a sweeter cookie or use half brown and half granulated sugar for a balanced sweetness. Just keep in mind that using only granulated sugar will alter the texture.
Can I Make These Cookies Without Eggs?
Absolutely! You can substitute one egg with 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for a few minutes until it thickens. This will help bind the dough just like an egg would.
How Should I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them softer for longer, you can place a slice of bread in the container, which will help retain moisture.
Can I Freeze These Cookies?
Yes, you can freeze both the dough and the baked cookies! For cookie dough, scoop the balls onto a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag for up to 3 months. For baked cookies, place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying!
