Brown Sugar Cookies

These soft and chewy Brown Sugar Cookies are the kind of old-fashioned treat that feels right at home in any Southern kitchen. Made with rich brown sugar and simple pantry ingredients, they bake up with soft centers and crisp edges, full of warm, caramel-like flavor. They’re easy enough for a weekday sweet treat but special enough to share with family and friends. 

Easy Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe

Baking cookies has been a lifelong passion of mine, and you can see that love throughout the cookie recipes here on the website. When I was younger, I spent many happy days baking with my Mom, Grandmas, and Aunts, just for the fun of it. Those simple days in the kitchen created some of my favorite memories.

I’ve always had a soft spot for cookies made with simple ingredients you’re likely to have tucked away in the pantry. Peanut butter cookies, chocolate chip cookies, molasses cookies, and these soft and chewy brown sugar cookies are some of my favorites. There’s just something special about a homemade cookie, especially one that comes together with ingredients you already have on hand.

The secret to making chewy brown sugar cookies is to use all brown sugar for the dough. These easy cookies are some of the best cookies I’ve ever made, perfect for just about any occasion. Enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea in the afternoon, tuck them into lunchboxes, or serve them as an easy after-dinner treat. They’re also a wonderful addition to holiday cookie trays, bake sales, family gatherings, and any time you want a homemade sweet treat to share.

Key ingredients you’ll need to make Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card and quantities.)

• Flour – All purpose flour forms the base of the cookie dough.
• Leavening – Baking soda gives rise to the cookies while baking and salt balances the flavor.
• Butter – Softened unsalted butter for richness.
• Sugar – Dark brown sugar for sweetness plus granulated sugar (white sugar) for rolling the cookies.
• Molasses – Dark molasses give the cookies a chewy texture.
• Whole Eggs – Large eggs bind the cookie dough.
• Flavoring – Vanilla extract expands the flavor profile.
• Spice – Cinnamon adds a hint of warmth to the taste.

How to Make Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe

• Heat Oven and Prepare Pan – Line 2 large baking sheet pans with parchment paper.
• Sift Dry Ingredients – Usa whisk to sift together flour, baking soda and salt.
• Wet Ingredients – Use an electric mixer on medium-high speed to cream together the butter, brown sugar and molasses. Beat until fluffy and combined, around 2 minutes.
• Add Eggs and Vanilla Extract- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract, beat just to incorporate.
• Combine – Gradually add the flour mixture beating on low until no flour remains.
• Pour Sugar Into a Shallow Bowl – Place granulated sugar in a shallow bowl.
• Scoop the Cookie Dough – Use a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop to divide the cookie dough. Roll into a ball, then coat in granulated sugar. Arrange dough balls on the prepared pan.
• Oven – Transfer to oven and bake per the recipe. Cool on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely or serve while still warm!

Kitchen Equipment to Make Chewy Brown Sugar Cookies

• Electric mixer. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer.
• Large bowl, medium bowl and shallow bowl or plate.
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
• Balloon whisk.
• Large baking sheet pans an parchment paper.
• Wire rack.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Sugar – Dark brown sugar has a deeper molasses flavor so that’s my go-to for this cookie recipe. In a pinch, you could use light brown sugar.
• Molasses – Use classic molasses, not blackstrap molasses, which can be bitter.
• Nuts – These cookies are simply delicious on their own and don’t really need any extras. That said, you could add one cup of chopped pecans, almonds or walnuts to the cookie dough.
• Chocolate Chips – You could stir in 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips.
• Cinnamon – You could add cinnamon to the granulated sugar for a more intense cinnamon flavor.
• Baking Powder – This recipe uses baking soda alone for the chewy texture it gives to the cookies.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – Store leftover brown sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Refrigerator – If you begin with fresh dairy, you can store the cookie dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Cold cookie dough may take longer to bake.
• Freezer – Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months. Store in a freezer safe container in a single layer with wax paper between to prevent sticking. 
• Freezing Cookie Dough – You can bake a half batch and freeze the rest of the cookie dough for future baking. To do so, form the cookie dough into rounds and flash freeze on a sheet pan. Once solid, store the frozen dough in a freezer safe container, then you can bake cookies from frozen or thaw overnight in the fridge, adding a few minutes to the bake time. When doing so, wait to roll in granulated sugar just before baking.

More Delicious Cookie Recipes to Make

• Soft, creamy Peanut Butter Cookies are a fan favorite. Add a handful of chocolate chips for peanut butter chocolate chip cookies!
• Kitchen Sink Cookies are loaded with flavor.
• Peanut Butter Cowboy Cookies never last long in your cookie jar.
• Treat yourself to classic Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and a tall glass of milk.
• Funfetti Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are a winner for any occasion.
• These Carrot Cake Pudding Cookies hit all of the same flavor points as carrot cake.
• Powder sugar coated Snowball Cookies are a holiday must make.
• Glazed Lemon Cookies for a burst of citrus in every bite.
• Italian Anise Cookies from Emeril.

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