Melt-In-Your-Mouth Sugar Cookies Recipe
These Melt-In-Your-Mouth Sugar Cookies are soft, tender, and perfectly sweet with a delicate sugar crust, making them an irresistible treat. Featuring simple pantry ingredients and a chilled dough process for thick, luscious centers, these cookies bake up with a melt-away texture that’s perfect for any occasion.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-9 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dry Ingredients
- 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Wet Ingredients
- 14 tablespoons unsalted butter (cool, room temperature 67-68°F)
- 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 large egg yolk (room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (room temperature)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or extract
Optional
- 1/2 cup sprinkles (if using)
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside to be used later for baking the cookies.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, fine sea salt, and cream of tartar. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
- Mix in Wet Ingredients: Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the large egg, egg yolk, heavy cream, and vanilla bean paste or extract, mixing until well incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Sprinkles: Scrape down the bowl again. Gradually mix in the flour mixture and sprinkles if using. The dough should be soft, scoopable, and maintain its shape. If the dough feels loose, shiny, or spreads upon scooping, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of flour and mix before chilling.
- Chill Dough (Initial): Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the dough to firm up.
- Shape Dough Balls: After chilling, scoop the dough into two tablespoon-sized balls each. Roll each ball between your palms to form smooth spheres and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Chill Dough (Second): Wrap the baking sheet tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 3 to 4 hours, preferably overnight, to enhance thickness and texture.
- Preheat Oven: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Roll in Sugar and Bake: Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar to coat completely. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 to 9 minutes until the tops look set but remain pale with little to no browning for a soft, gooey texture. For firmer cookies, bake longer until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool and Serve: Immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle the cookie tops with additional sugar. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet set on a wire rack. Once completely cooled, carefully remove the cookies from the baking sheet and enjoy.
Notes
- For best results, measure the flour by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off rather than scooping directly to avoid packing.
- Chilling the dough twice is essential for the best texture and shape of the cookies.
- If you don’t have vanilla bean paste, use pure vanilla extract as a substitute.
- Rolling the cookies in sugar before and after baking gives a delightful crunchy sugar crust.
- Butter should be at cool room temperature (around 67-68°F) for the perfect creaming texture.
Keywords: sugar cookies, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, easy cookie recipe, soft sugar cookies, holiday cookies, vanilla sugar cookies