Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe

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Soft, chewy, and filled with warm caramel notes, Brown Sugar Cookies are a nostalgic treat with a rich, buttery depth that goes far beyond your average sugar cookie. With slightly crisp edges and centers that remain tender and moist, these cookies are ideal for anyone who loves a comforting, simple dessert that still delivers on flavor. The added sprinkle of sea salt on top provides the perfect contrast, elevating each bite to something truly special.

These cookies are not only incredibly easy to make, but they also require minimal ingredients—most of which you likely already have in your pantry. The magic lies in the brown sugar, which gives the cookies a molasses-like richness and chewiness that white sugar simply can’t match. Whether you’re baking them for a holiday platter, a casual weeknight treat, or to impress guests at a party, Brown Sugar Cookies are a reliable crowd-pleaser.

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Why You’ll Love This Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe

• Incredibly Chewy Texture: Thanks to the high moisture content of brown sugar.
• Minimal Ingredients: Uses pantry staples.
• Fast & Easy: From bowl to oven in under 10 minutes.
• Warm & Buttery Flavor: The depth from the molasses in brown sugar adds complexity.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a festive dessert or a late-night snack.
• Freezer-Friendly: You can prepare the dough in advance.
• No Chilling Required: Get straight to baking.
• Customizable: Add chocolate chips, spices, or nuts if desired.

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Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before diving into the baking process, getting your workspace and equipment organized will save time and help ensure perfect cookies. Here’s what you’ll need and why each tool matters:

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Mixing Bowls: One large and one medium bowl for wet and dry ingredients.
• Electric Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: This helps thoroughly cream the butter and sugar, a key step for texture.
• Measuring Cups & Spoons: Precision matters in baking—don’t eyeball it!
• Rubber Spatula: Ideal for scraping down the sides of your bowl and folding dough.
• Baking Sheet: A heavy-duty baking sheet ensures even baking without hotspots.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures an even, golden base.
• Cooling Rack: Crucial for preventing sogginess by allowing air to circulate under the cookies.
• Cookie Scoop (optional): Helps portion dough evenly for uniform size and baking.

Having all your ingredients measured and tools ready before mixing will create a smooth workflow and reduce the chances of missing something important.

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Preparation Tips

• Room Temperature Butter: Softened butter creams better with sugar, incorporating more air and leading to fluffier cookies.
• Brown Sugar Packing: Always pack your brown sugar tightly into the measuring cup to ensure accurate amounts.
• Do Not Overmix: Once the dry ingredients are added, mix only until combined. Overmixing leads to tough cookies.
• Use Fresh Baking Soda: If it’s been sitting in your pantry too long, it may have lost its effectiveness, leading to flat cookies.
• Test Bake One Cookie: Bake a single cookie first to test oven temperature and spacing—adjust if needed before baking the rest.

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Ingredients for this Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe

These Brown Sugar Cookies come together with a handful of baking staples. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building flavor, texture, and that signature chewiness.

Dry Ingredients

• 2¼ cups (280g) all-purpose flour – Provides structure; make sure to spoon and level for accuracy.
• ½ teaspoon baking soda – Gives the cookies a gentle rise and contributes to their soft center.
• ½ teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the brown sugar flavor.

Wet Ingredients

• ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened – Adds rich flavor and tender texture. Make sure it’s at room temperature.
• 1¾ cups (350g) packed light brown sugar – The star of this recipe, giving a deep, molasses-like sweetness and chew.
• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk – Adds richness and helps bind the dough.
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract – Enhances the warm, sweet aroma of the cookies.

Optional Topping

• Flaky sea salt – A pinch sprinkled on top before baking adds contrast and elevates the flavor profile beautifully.

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.

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Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside—this will be incorporated later into the wet mixture.

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Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter and brown sugar on medium speed for about 2–3 minutes. The mixture should become light and fluffy. This step adds air into the dough for a tender texture.

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Step 4: Add Egg, Yolk, and Vanilla

Beat in the egg, followed by the egg yolk, and then the vanilla extract. Mix until well incorporated but don’t overbeat.

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Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until the flour is just combined. Be careful not to overmix—stop once no streaks of flour remain.

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Step 6: Scoop and Shape

Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop dough into 1.5 tablespoon-sized balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. For picture-perfect cookies, gently press down the tops and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if using.

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Step 7: Bake

Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are set and slightly golden. The centers may look soft—that’s perfect! They’ll continue to set as they cool.

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Step 8: Cool

Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. This helps preserve the chewy center.

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Notes

• Flavor Depth: Using only brown sugar instead of a mix of brown and white is key to the rich, almost caramel-like flavor and ultra-chewy texture.
• Butter Matters: Unsalted butter gives you full control over the cookie’s saltiness. If using salted butter, reduce the added salt by half.
• No Chill Required: The dough is sturdy enough to bake immediately, making this a great last-minute cookie recipe.
• Optional Add-ins: While delicious as-is, you can fold in chopped nuts, white chocolate chips, or even a pinch of cinnamon for variation.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

1. Overmixing the Dough

Once the flour goes in, mix just until combined. Overworking the dough leads to tough cookies.

2. Using Melted Butter

Butter should be softened, not melted. Melted butter results in overly flat and greasy cookies.

3. Underbaking or Overbaking

Keep an eye on them around the 9-minute mark. Cookies should look set at the edges but still soft in the middle when removed from the oven. They continue cooking as they cool.

4. Ignoring Ingredient Temperature

Cold eggs or butter can lead to an uneven dough. Let all ingredients come to room temp for best results.

5. Skipping the Salt Topping

That pinch of flaky sea salt adds contrast that balances the sweetness. Don’t skip it unless you’re aiming for a very mild flavor.

6. Crowding the Baking Sheet

Give the cookies room to spread. Overcrowding leads to uneven baking and cookies sticking together.

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What to Serve With Brown Sugar Cookies?

Brown Sugar Cookies are so rich and comforting that they can stand proudly on their own. However, pairing them with a complementary drink or treat can turn a simple snack into a memorable experience. Here’s how you can create the perfect serving moment:

8 Recommendations

1. Coffee or Espresso

The deep caramel tones of the cookies pair wonderfully with the boldness of a freshly brewed cup of coffee or a rich espresso shot.

2. Hot Chocolate

A creamy, decadent hot chocolate enhances the brown sugar’s molasses-like flavors. Add a dash of cinnamon or a sprinkle of sea salt on top for a gourmet twist.

3. Vanilla Ice Cream

Turn your cookies into a luxurious dessert by sandwiching a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream between two cookies for the ultimate ice cream sandwich.

4. Chai Tea

The warm spices of chai—cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves—beautifully complement the cozy flavors of the cookies.

5. Salted Caramel Sauce

Drizzle a little salted caramel over the cookies for extra indulgence. It’s a match made in heaven for caramel lovers.

6. Fruit Salad

The lightness and acidity of a fresh fruit salad, especially with berries or citrus, can balance the cookie’s sweetness and provide a refreshing contrast.

7. Cheese Platter

Surprising but effective—a mild cheese like Brie or cream cheese pairs nicely, creating a sophisticated sweet-and-savory snack.

8. Mulled Wine

During colder months, pair your Brown Sugar Cookies with a warm mug of spiced mulled wine for a cozy, festive treat.

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Storage Instructions

Proper storage is key to maintaining the chewy texture and rich flavor of your Brown Sugar Cookies. Here’s how to keep them fresh and delicious:

• Room Temperature: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and flavorful for up to 5 days. Add a slice of bread inside the container to help retain moisture.
• Refrigerator: If you prefer slightly firmer cookies, you can refrigerate them. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for best texture.
• Freezer:
  • Baked Cookies: Place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or briefly warm in the microwave for a freshly baked feel.
  • Cookie Dough: Scoop the dough into balls, freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.

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Estimated Nutrition

Here’s the approximate nutritional breakdown for one Brown Sugar Cookie (assuming a batch yields about 24 cookies):

• Calories: 170 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 30mg
• Sodium: 90mg
• Sugar: 15g
• Fiber: 0.5g

Note: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes, you can! Dark brown sugar will give the cookies an even richer molasses flavor and slightly darker color. It’s perfect if you want a deeper caramelized taste.

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2. Can I chill the dough before baking?

While chilling isn’t necessary, you absolutely can chill the dough for 30 minutes to an hour if you want slightly thicker cookies with even more developed flavor.

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3. Why are my cookies too flat?

This could happen if your butter was too soft or if you overmixed the dough. Make sure your butter is at cool room temperature and only mix until just combined.

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4. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend 1:1 for regular flour. Make sure the blend includes xanthan gum for structure.

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5. How do I know when the cookies are done?

Look for lightly golden edges and a soft, slightly underbaked center. They’ll continue setting up as they cool on the baking sheet.

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6. Can I add chocolate chips or nuts to the dough?

Absolutely! Stir in about 1 cup of chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even toffee bits to customize the flavor and texture.

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7. How should I freeze the cookie dough balls?

Place scooped dough balls on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer them into a zip-top freezer bag. They can be baked directly from frozen—just add 1–2 minutes to the bake time.

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8. Why use an extra egg yolk in the recipe?

The extra yolk adds richness and helps create that ultra-soft, chewy texture by adding fat without excess liquid.

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Conclusion

Brown Sugar Cookies are the epitome of simplicity meeting rich flavor. With their soft, chewy centers, crispy edges, and warm caramel notes, they’re a treat that feels indulgent yet homey. Whether you enjoy them plain, with a sprinkle of flaky salt, or sandwiched around ice cream, they’re bound to become a new favorite in your baking rotation. Best of all, the dough comes together quickly, no chilling required, making this an ideal go-to recipe for spontaneous cookie cravings or last-minute gatherings.

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