If you’re looking for the ultimate cookie experience, these Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies are about to become your new go-to treat. Imagine a warm, buttery cookie with rich brown sugar flavor, golden edges, and a perfectly soft and chewy center. They’re simple to make, require basic pantry staples, and guarantee a sweet reward with every bite. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe will have you making cookies that friends and family rave about for years.

Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies come together with a handful of simple ingredients, but don’t let the simplicity fool you—each one plays a huge role in flavor, texture, and mouthwatering appeal! Here’s what you’ll need to turn your kitchen into a cookie haven:

All-purpose flour: This provides structure to the cookies, ensuring they hold their shape while staying delightfully tender.
Baking soda: Gives just the right amount of lift, which helps create those iconic, slightly crinkled tops.
Salt: Balances out the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors in every bite.
Unsalted butter, softened: Butter brings richness, moisture, and a gorgeous golden hue—you want it soft for perfect creaming!
Light brown sugar, packed: The star of the show, this gives the cookies their deep caramel flavor and signature chewiness.
Granulated sugar: Just a little, for subtle sweetness and lovely crisp edges.
Large egg: Adds structure and helps bind all the ingredients together for the perfect texture.
Large egg yolk: This extra yolk is a secret weapon for extra chew and softness!
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors and gives your cookies that classic, irresistible aroma.

How to Make Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to make sure the cookies lift right off with gorgeous, golden bottoms. This is the perfect moment to get all your ingredients measured, because the rest of the process flies by!

Step 2: Mix Your Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This simple move ensures your leavening is evenly distributed, so every cookie gets the same tender rise and even bake.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a large bowl, cream together your softened butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar. You’ll want to use a hand mixer or stand mixer for a few minutes until the mixture is fluffy, light, and almost caramel in color—this step is what helps create that signature chewy texture!

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the large egg, extra egg yolk, and vanilla extract to your butter-sugar mixture. Mixing until smooth ensures your Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies will come out moist and melt-in-your-mouth good every time.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing gently until everything’s just combined. Don’t overwork the dough—this keeps the cookies tender and perfectly chewy.

Step 6: Scoop and Shape

Take tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls with your hands. Place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. If you’re feeling a little fancy, give each dough ball a light sprinkle of coarse sugar for extra sparkle and crunch.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes. The edges should look set, but the centers will still appear soft—that’s exactly what you want for ultimate chewiness. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the sweet scent of Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies wafting through your kitchen!

How to Serve Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

These cookies are fantastic all on their own, but you can drizzle them with a bit of melted chocolate or a light dusting of powdered sugar for a special touch. Even a small pinch of flaky sea salt on top can work magic by balancing all that sweetness.

Side Dishes

Pair your Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies with a cold glass of milk, a hot cup of coffee, or even your favorite scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you’re serving these at a party, fresh berries or a simple fruit salad make a refreshing contrast to the cookie’s rich, caramel notes.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday cookie platters, stack these cookies up and tie them with pretty baker’s twine. You can also sandwich a few together with a layer of frosting or even a scoop of ice cream for decadent cookie sandwiches. Gift them in a charming cookie tin, or simply pile them up on your favorite cake stand for an irresistibly homey presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies their softest and freshest, place them in an airtight container as soon as they’ve cooled. They’ll stay delicious for several days, making them perfect for snacking throughout the week or tucking into lunchboxes.

Freezing

If making ahead, you can freeze both the baked cookies and the unbaked dough. Freeze scooped dough balls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to three months. You can bake them straight from frozen, just add a minute or two to the bake time. Baked cookies also freeze well; just layer them with parchment in a sealed container.

Reheating

Want that just-baked texture? Warm individual cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds, or pop larger batches in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. Your Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies will taste as fresh and irresistible as the day they were made.

FAQs

Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar?

Absolutely! Dark brown sugar will give your cookies an even deeper, richer molasses flavor and a more dramatic color. It’s a great swap if you want an extra hit of caramel-like deliciousness.

Why do I need an extra egg yolk?

The extra yolk keeps these Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies rich and extra chewy. Yolks add fat and protein, which helps create that signature tender center you’ll crave in every bite.

Do I have to chill the dough?

Chilling is optional, but it’s a fantastic trick if you want thicker cookies with less spread. Just pop the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes—especially handy if your kitchen is warm or if you love a really dense, bakery-style cookie.

Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts?

Of course! Fold in up to 1 cup of chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or even dried cranberries to customize your Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies. These add-ins not only boost flavor but also give your cookies extra texture and flair.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

The edges should look slightly set and golden, while the centers will still appear soft and puffy. Don’t overbake—the cookies will continue to firm up as they cool, resulting in that perfect chew.

Final Thoughts

There’s something pure and comforting about baking (and eating!) Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies, and I can’t wait for you to share them with your favorite people. Whether you bake them for a special occasion or a cozy night in, I promise this recipe will instantly become a classic in your kitchen. Happy baking!

Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 5 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat with a soft, chewy texture and a rich brown sugar flavor. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies are easy to make and even easier to enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¼ cups packed light brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Mix Dough: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
Shape and Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and place on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 9–11 minutes until edges are set and centers are still soft.
Cool and Serve: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.