The Ultimate Recipe for Soft and Chewy Butter Cookies

The Ultimate Recipe for Soft and Chewy Butter Cookies

Chewy Butter Cookies.There's something irresistibly comforting about biting into a soft and chewy cookie. The tender crumb and rich flavor can make these cookies a standout treat for any occasion. If you're looking to create the perfect batch of cookies using butter, you've come to the right place. This guide will walk you through a foolproof recipe that guarantees delicious results every time.

Ingredients You'll Need:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure or imitation)

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions for Perfect Cookies:

Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.

Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. 

Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving a soft texture in your cookies.

Incorporate the Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. 

Stir in the vanilla extract. The combination of eggs and vanilla will add depth and richness to your cookie dough.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. 

This ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. 

Overmixing can lead to dense cookies, so be careful to mix only until the flour is incorporated.

Shape the Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. 

Space them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.

Bake to Perfection: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. 

The cookies should be lightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center. This will give you that classic chewy texture.

Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. 

This cooling period helps the cookies set and enhances their chewiness.

Tips for Success:

Butter Temperature: Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature for optimal mixing. If it's too cold or melted, it can affect the texture of your cookies.

Measuring Flour: Be sure to measure your flour correctly—scooping it directly from the bag can lead to overpacking. 

For accuracy, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off.

Customization: Feel free to add chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to the dough for added flavor and texture.

This recipe for soft and chewy butter cookies is sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. 

The balance of buttery richness and sweet, chewy goodness makes each bite a delight. Enjoy baking and sharing these delicious treats with family and friends!

Nutrition Information (Per Cookie):

Calories: 180 kcal

Total Fat: 9 g

Saturated Fat: 5 g

Trans Fat: 0 g

Cholesterol: 30 mg

Sodium: 120 mg

Total Carbohydrates: 24 g

Dietary Fiber: 0.5 g

Sugars: 16 g

Protein: 2 g

Breakdown:

Calories: Most of the calories come from the butter and sugars in the recipe. Each cookie contains about 180 calories, which can vary depending on the size and any additional mix-ins like chocolate chips.

Total Fat: The fat content is primarily from the butter. Each cookie has approximately 9 grams of fat, with around 5 grams being saturated fat. Butter is high in saturated fat, which contributes to the rich texture of the cookie.

Cholesterol: The eggs and butter contribute to the cholesterol content, with each cookie containing around 30 mg.

Sodium: The salt in the recipe adds to the sodium content. Each cookie has roughly 120 mg of sodium.

Carbohydrates: Each cookie has about 24 grams of carbohydrates, mainly from the sugars and flour. The sugar content is high, with around 16 grams per cookie.

Protein: With a small amount of protein coming from the eggs and flour, each cookie contains about 2 grams of protein.

For a more precise nutritional breakdown, especially if you add ingredients like chocolate chips or nuts, you might want to use a nutritional calculator or app, inputting the exact quantities and ingredients you use.