If you’re anything like me, the mere mention of thick, chewy, sweet, and salty cookies gets your mouth watering.
Today, I’m thrilled to share my favorite cookie recipe: Brown Sugar Cookies.
These cookies strike the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making them utterly irresistible.
Let’s dive into the details so you can start baking your own batch of cookie perfection.
Ingredients
To create these delectable treats, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- 1½ cups brown sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- Maldon flaky sea salt (for sprinkling)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and cornstarch.
Once combined, set the bowl aside.
This mixture will be your dry ingredients, which will give your cookies structure and ensure they rise perfectly.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the softened butter and brown sugar.
Beat on medium-high speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
If you don’t have a stand mixer, a hand mixer works just as well.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, add the egg, additional yolk, and vanilla bean paste to the mixture.
Mix on low speed until everything is smooth and well combined.
Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
4. Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
With the mixer still on low speed, gradually add in the dry ingredients.
Mix until just combined—overmixing can lead to tougher cookies, and we want them to stay tender and chewy.
5. Chill the Dough
For the best results, cover the dough and let it chill in the refrigerator overnight or up to 72 hours.
This step is crucial for achieving a chewier, thicker, and more flavorful cookie.
Trust me, it’s worth the wait!
6. Prepare for Baking
Once you’re ready to bake, remove the dough from the fridge and let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes to an hour to come back to room temperature.
This will make it easier to handle.
7. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
This will prevent the cookies from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
8. Portion the Dough
Using a large cookie scoop or ice cream scoop (approximately 4 tablespoons), portion the dough into balls.
This size ensures a thick and chewy cookie.
9. Roll in Sugar
Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar until evenly coated.
Place the dough balls on the lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
10. Bake
Bake the cookies for 11-13 minutes, or until they are lightly golden around the edges but still a bit underdone in the middle.
This ensures they remain soft and chewy. Immediately after removing from the oven, sprinkle the cookies with flaky sea salt.
11. Cool
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5-10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
Enjoy!
Once cooled, your cookies are ready to enjoy.
These brown sugar cookies are perfect for any occasion, from casual snacking to festive gatherings.
Their combination of sweet brown sugar and a hint of saltiness from the flaky sea salt makes them utterly addictive.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Skip the Chilling Step: Chilling the dough allows the flavors to meld and the cookies to develop their signature chewiness.
- Use Quality Ingredients: High-quality vanilla bean paste and flaky sea salt can make a noticeable difference in flavor.
- Monitor Baking Time: Every oven is different, so keep an eye on your cookies to avoid overbaking. They should look slightly underdone in the center when you take them out.
I hope you enjoy baking and indulging in these brown sugar cookies as much as I do. Happy baking!
Credit: @bakingtherolls