Soft Sweet Sugar Cookies

Category: Sweet Treats to Satisfy Any Craving

These simple cookies skip tricky steps but still taste amazing. Just mix, scoop, and bake for the perfect soft, chewy treat—no chilling or rolling necessary.

Barbara Chef
Updated on Sun, 27 Apr 2025 17:09:24 GMT
Seven sugar-coated cookies stacked on a plate, with a fork nearby and a sugar-filled glass pitcher in the background. Highlight
Seven sugar-coated cookies stacked on a plate, with a fork nearby and a sugar-filled glass pitcher in the background. | cookwithcarla.com

Simple Drop Sugar Cookies Without Fuss

I completely changed my cookie game when I found out I could skip the whole rolling and cutting hassle. After spending way too many years making those time-consuming shaped cookies, I finally stumbled on my dream recipe. These turn out chewy, tender and wonderfully sweet without fail. Just drop spoonfuls, bake and enjoy – that's the whole deal. Whenever the little ones want a treat, these are what I whip up since they're done in a flash.

What Makes These Cookies Special

There are times when you're craving that signature vanilla sugar cookie flavor but don't want to spend forever in the kitchen. That's exactly why these cookies are my favorite. No need to wait for dough chilling, no messy flour covering everything, and best of all, no cookie cutters to clean afterward. You can totally add frosting if you're feeling fancy, but they're really wonderful plain too. Once you give these a try, you'll forget all about those complicated versions.

Cookie Components

Fresh sugar cookies stacked on a plate with utensils nearby and a sugar container visible in the background. Highlight
Fresh sugar cookies stacked on a plate with utensils nearby and a sugar container visible in the background. | cookwithcarla.com

Cooking Steps

Storage Tips

Store your cookies in a sealed container or wrap them well in plastic and they'll stay good for around 5 days. Want to plan ahead? Put scooped dough balls on a lined sheet, freeze them completely, then move them to a freezer bag. They'll stay good frozen for 3 months. When you're ready to bake, just cook them a bit longer than usual. If you want that pretty sugar coating, let the dough thaw slightly first. Already baked a batch? Stack them between sheets of parchment and freeze, then bring to room temp before eating.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I prepare these cookies beforehand?

You can! Either freeze the uncoated dough balls for up to 3 months or store baked ones up to 4 weeks. Hold off on rolling them in sugar until you're ready to bake.

→ What causes my cookies to spread too much?

Check that your butter isn't overly soft and the baking sheets have had time to cool between uses. Also, skip greasing the sheet—use parchment or a silicone mat instead.

→ Is it possible to decorate these cookies?

Of course! Leave off the sugar coating, though, if you’re planning to frost them. The sugar layer can stop the frosting from sticking properly.

→ How do I tell when they're done baking?

Look for faint browning at the base and cracks on top. This should take about 11-13 minutes. Don’t let them overbake—they’ll turn hard instead of staying soft.

→ What's the best way to store these cookies?

Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly. They'll stay fresh at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Soft Sweet Cookies

Easy-to-make sugar cookies that are chewy, soft, and perfectly sweet. Scoop, roll in sugar, then bake—no rolling or chilling needed.

Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
12 min
Total Time
32 min

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24 cookies)

Dietary Preferences: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 A heaping 2¾ cups of plain flour.
02 A pinch (½ teaspoon) of baking powder.
03 ½ teaspoon of baking soda.
04 A sprinkle of salt (½ teaspoon).
05 Room temp butter, 1 cup unsalted.
06 1½ cups of regular sugar.
07 1 big egg.
08 2 small spoons of vanilla essence.
09 ¼ cup of sugar for rolling the dough.

Steps

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F and line baking trays with either parchment or silicone mats.

Step 02

Mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder.

Step 03

Beat butter and sugar till they look fluffy and smooth.

Step 04

Toss in the egg and vanilla, and give it a good mix.

Step 05

Slowly stir the dry mix into the butter combo until just blended.

Step 06

Scoop dough into roughly 2-tablespoon chunks.

Step 07

Roll dough into little balls, then coat them with sugar.

Step 08

Spread dough balls out on trays, leaving 2-3 inches in between.

Step 09

Bake for around 11 to 13 minutes until the bottoms turn golden and the edges get wrinkly.

Step 10

After baking, cool for a minute or two on the tray, then transfer to a wire rack.

Notes

  1. Roll dough in sugar just before baking so cookies spread properly.
  2. You can freeze as dough balls or already baked cookies.
  3. If frosting later, skip rolling dough in sugar.

Required Equipment

  • Mixer (preferably a stand type).
  • Baking trays.
  • Either silicone mats or parchment paper.
  • A dough or cookie scoop.
  • Cooling rack.

Allergen Information

Double-check every ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains dairy (butter).
  • Includes eggs.
  • Wheat content (flour).

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

This data is for informational purposes only and doesn’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 180
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Carbs: 26 g
  • Protein: 2 g