These Chewy Sugar Cookies are SO yummy! A hint of almond extract and a bit of glaze makes these cookies irresistible!
When you find a cookie recipe that has JUST the right amount of chewiness, you can’t go back to any other recipe! That’s why we love this recipe, along with out Giant Chewy M&M Cookies and our Chewy Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Perfectly Soft and Chewy!
Now, if you’ve followed this blog for awhile you know I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Sugar Cookies! And I LOVE Sugar Cookies with almond extract the best. In my books, it’s actually essential for good sugar cookies. 😉
A few years back, my mom brought some of these sugar cookies to us, and they covered all the check boxes for a good sugar cookie. They had that delicious flavor from almond extract, plus they were soft, delish, and CHEWY!
The texture was seriously perfect—not too cakey, and not to crispy either. I got the recipe from my mom and we decided to add frosting and sprinkles. They turned out perfect!!
No Rolling Required!
If you are trying to make shaped sugar cookies, it’s worth the extra effort to make and roll out sugar cookie dough. Otherwise, for simple round cookies, I love when I find a drop sugar cookie recipe like this. These were simple to make and came out chewy and delicious. I did want to note a couple of things:
- These really don’t spread very much. I didn’t press the dough down enough on my first batch thinking they would spread a bit, but they came out the same height which was a little too tall for my liking, so be sure to form the dough about the size you want.
- I used my fingers to gently smooth out any rough spots or cracks on the dough balls. That way they baked up as pretty and smooth as possible.
How to Make Chewy Sugar Cookies
PREP. Preheat oven to 350 and line your cookie sheet with parchment paper.
DOUGH. In your mixer, cream sugar, butter, shortening, and salt until light and fluffy. Add egg, corn syrup, vanilla and almond extract and beat until well mixed. In a separate bowl mix flour, baking soda and baking powder. Add to wet ingredients.
FORM + BAKE. Scoop (I use a regular size cookie scoop) and roll into balls. Pat down balls a bit. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool until warm.
Optional Frosting
These chewy sugar cookies are delicious plain, or topped with icing. I typically like to use a thin glaze-like icing flavored with almond extract.
Make almond icing: Mix 1 cup powdered sugar, ½ tsp. almond extract and a few tablespoons of milk (until it’s the consistency you want). Drizzle frosting over warm cookies. Add sprinkles if desired.
For a thicker, more frosting-like version, try this Sugar Cookie Frosting. Some other great icings include:
- Strawberry Frosting
- Vanilla Buttercream
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- Easy Marshmallow Frosting
- Berry Buttercream
Cookie Storage Tips
Sugar cookies are pretty hardy and can be stored baked or unbaked. I must admit, it’s nice having a stash of cookies in the freezer. They come in handy when unexpected friends drop by for a visit.
- Dough: Prepare the dough as directed. You can cover tightly and store it in the fridge for 1-2 days before baking. To freeze it you can either roll it into a log, wrap with plastic and again with foil and freeze, or form individual cookie dough balls. Place dough balls on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer safe container. Dough can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Be sure the frosting has set before stacking and storing. You can freeze them frosted or unfrosted, just be sure the frosting has set before stacking and use wax paper to separate layers. Freeze in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
For more sugar cookie recipes, check out:
- 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
- Copycat Lofthouse Sugar Cookies
- No Roll Sugar Cookies
- Best Sugar Cookies
- Cream Cheese Cookies
Chewy Sugar Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter softened (not melted)
- 2 tbsp butter flavored shortening
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp light corn syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 and line your cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- In your mixer, cream sugar, butter, shortening, and salt until light and fluffy.
- Add egg, corn syrup, vanilla and almond extract and beat until well mixed.
- In a separate bowl mix flour, baking soda and baking powder. Add to wet ingredients.
- Scoop (I use the cookie scoop tool) and roll into balls. Pat down balls a bit. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool until warm.
- Make almond frosting: Mix 1 cup powdered sugar, ½ tsp. almond extract and a few tablespoons of milk (until it’s the consistency you want).
- Drizzle frosting over warm cookies. Add sprinkles if desired.
I love a good chewy sugar cookie! These look great – adding to my list of ones to try!
Let me know if you try them. I promise you won’t be disappointed. 🙂
Holy moly! These look incredible! Unfortunately I have no corn syrup or butter-flavored shortening. Maybe I’ll have to get me some. Are those ingredients what make these cookies so soft? Because whenever I make sugar cookies, they usually end up hard as rocks after a day or two.
Liz
I love all of your other sugar cookie recipes, but this one just didn’t work out that well for me. The taste was really good but they did not spread out that much. I will have to make them again.
So excited to make these! Do you think the dough would freeze ok to cook later?
I’ve never frozen this dough before so I’m not sure but I’d imagine it would be okay. 🙂
Hey,
just wondering approximately how many cookies this recipe makes? I’m looking to make a huge batch for a friend’s upcoming wedding…
Jamie
These are my favorite kind of sugar cookies! And they look beautiful
Hi can I substitute honey for the corn syrup? I can’t wait to make these.
You know, I haven’t tried, but that may work 🙂
Can I just use vanilla extract for these cookies? I have someone who is allergic to nuts.
Yes, for sure 🙂 Hope they are a hit!
I love the hint of almond! No one can resist a delicious sugar cookie!
My family loves these sugar cookies!! They are soft with a little crunch & they like how much thicker they are, than regular sugar cookies.
Sugar cookies are the best. Even better when you don’t have to roll them out. Perfection!
Can’t wait to try these this week! ❤️
My husband loved these cookies. These cookies are so good just like the ones you find at the grocery store. It’s great to have recipes that you can have in hand that can make you family members happy.
Is there anything I can substitute for the corn syrup?
Honey, Cane Sugar or Agave Nectar would be good substitutions for the corn syrup. Hope this helps!
thank you!
You’re welcome!
Best stuff ever!!
OMG I am in love!! thank you!!#!
Super yummy and easy to make. My kids loved them.
I was looking for a soft, big and chewy sugar cookies and these were a hit! Added some buttercream frosting and sprinkles and they were 👌🏻!
Sugar cookie taste without the extra steps of rolling and cutting out shapes- my kind of sugar cookies!!!
Thank you Kristyn!
The best! I have always had such a difficult time rolling and cutting out cookies but now thanks to you and your great recipes i found this sugar cookie recipe that is amazing!! 🤩 I had so many compliments on this cookie today.
I really love reading all about your recipes. ♥️
Awe, thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so happy you enjoy my recipes. That makes my day! 🙂
Hello!
Can I use regular veg shortening rather than butter flavoured shortening ?
Sure! They might not taste as buttery tasting but it should still do the trick. Let me know how they turn out. I’d love to hear!
My kids, especially the oldest, love sugar cookies and this recipe fits the bill. We like how they come out like a pillow!