How To Make Perfectly Soft and Chewy Almond Sugar Cookies
Looking for a quick and easy cookie recipe that melts in your mouth? These soft and chewy almond sugar cookies are light, fluffy, and packed with almond flavor. Perfect for family gatherings, holiday parties, or even just an afternoon treat!
As someone who juggles a busy schedule, I’m always on the lookout for recipes that are easy to make but deliver delicious results. These soft and chewy almond sugar cookies are the perfect example of that balance. What I love most is how they combine simplicity with elegance. The ingredients include pantry staples we typically have on hand, yet the addition of almond extract transforms them into something that feels a little more special.
There’s something magical about the way these cookies bake up soft in the center with just a hint of chew around the edges. The texture is perfection: light, tender, and buttery, with just enough structure to hold up to a variety of toppings or decorations. And the flavor? Mmm. It’s subtle—yet distinctive. The almond extract adds a warm, nutty undertone that pairs beautifully with the buttery richness of the cookies. It’s quickly become a favorite in our household.
What Are Soft and Chewy Almond Sugar Cookies?
Soft and chewy almond sugar cookies are a delightful twist on the classic sugar cookie, enhanced with the nutty, aromatic flavor of almond extract. These cookies are known for their tender texture and slightly chewy edges. And the addition of almond extract elevates the traditional sugar cookie by adding a subtle nuttiness that makes each bite incredibly satisfying.
Made with everyday ingredients like unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and all-purpose flour, they’re easy to prepare, but elegant enough for afternoon tea (or even tea parties with your littles). They’re versatile enough to be enjoyed plain or dressed up with toppings like sliced almonds, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a drizzle of glaze. Whether you serve this as an everyday treat or include them in a festive cookie spread, these almond sugar cookies are guaranteed to please even the pickiest of eaters.
Why Make These Soft and Chewy Almond Sugar Cookies?
There are countless cookie recipes out there (like these cut-out sugar cookies or soft-batch sprinkle sugar cookies), but this one stands out for its winning combination of flavor, texture, and ease of preparation. Here’s what makes these almond sugar cookies a must-try:
- Perfect texture: Achieving the ideal cookie texture can be tricky, but this recipe nails it every time. The butter and sugar are creamed together to create a light, fluffy base that translates into soft, chewy cookies.
- Balanced sweetness: These cookies are sweet without being overly sugary, thanks to the careful proportions of granulated sugar and almond extract.
- Almond flavor perfection: Almond extract adds a subtle nutty essence that complements the buttery richness of the cookies. It’s just enough to be noticeable but never overpowering.
- Simple ingredients: No need for fancy, hard-to-find items. This recipe uses everyday staples like butter, sugar, flour, and baking soda.
- Versatility: These cookies are a blank canvas for creativity. Add sliced almonds, drizzle with a glaze, or dip them in chocolate for a variety of presentations.
Almond Sugar Cookie Ingredients
- Butter: You’ll want unsalted for this recipe. If you don’t have unsalted, you can use salted butter and omit the salt from the recipe.
- Granulated sugar: If you choose to use a coarser sugar like coconut or sucanat, it is helpful to run it through the blender or food processor to get finer granules. You can use it in either form, but the bigger sugar crystals result in a slightly different end texture.
- Egg
- Almond extract
- All-purpose flour: I like to buy pantry staples like organic flour, maple syrup, and vanilla extract from Azure Standard or Thrive Market because of the great prices.
- Baking soda, Baking powder: These act as leavening agents to help the cookies become soft and fluffy.
- Salt
- Sliced almonds: These are optional, but you can add them as a topping.
Tips for Perfect Almond Sugar Cookies
Even simple recipes can benefit from a few expert tips. If you’re aiming for bakery-quality results, keep these tricks in mind:
- Use unsalted butter: It’s essential to control the salt level in your cookies, and using unsalted butter gives you precision. Make sure it’s softened for easy creaming.
- Cream butter and sugar thoroughly: The step where you beat butter and sugar together isn’t just for combining ingredients. This process incorporates air into the dough, which contributes to the cookies’ soft and fluffy texture.
- Don’t overmix the dough: Once the wet and dry ingredients are combined, stop mixing as soon as the flour is incorporated. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
- Measure flour correctly: Too much flour can make your cookies dense. Fluff your flour with a spoon before lightly spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling it off.
- Bake to perfection: Remove the cookies from the oven when the edges are set but the centers are still soft. They’ll continue to cook as they cool on the baking sheet, giving you that perfectly chewy center.
How to Store Almond Sugar Cookies
Proper storage ensures your almond sugar cookies stay fresh, soft, and delicious for days. Here’s how to keep them at their best:
- Room temperature storage: Once the cookies have completely cooled, place them in an airtight container. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent the sprinkles from smudging or sticking. (This is especially important if you add icing!) Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to 5 days.
- Refrigeration: While refrigeration isn’t necessary for these cookies, you can refrigerate them in an airtight container to extend their freshness up to a week. Allow cookies to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Freezing baked cookies: Arrange cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1–2 hours. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag with parchment paper between layers. They can be stored for up to 3 months.
- Freezing cookie dough: Portion the dough into balls, roll them in sprinkles, and freeze on a baking sheet. Once frozen, store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra 1–2 minutes to the bake time.
Tips for Reviving Baked Cookies
- If cookies become slightly dry, place a slice of bread in the storage container to add moisture.
- To enjoy that “just-baked” taste, warm them in the microwave for 5–10 seconds.
By following these tips, you can enjoy your almond sugar cookies fresh, whether you’re saving them for later or preparing in advance!
I hope you love this recipe!
Soft and Chewy Almond Sugar Cookies
These soft and chewy almond sugar cookies are irresistibly delicious and perfect for any occasion. Top with coarse sugar, sivered almonds, or nothing at all--they're the perfect sweet treat!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 & 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
- 2 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: Sliced almonds for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a the bowl of a stand mixer (or in a large bowl), cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. (I like to whip the butter a bit on its own first in order to get a smooth, creamy texture.)
- With the mixer on low, add in the egg and almond extract until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until incorporated.
- Roll the dough into balls (about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough per ball) and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Flatten each ball slightly with your fingers or the bottom of a glass.
- If desired, press a few sliced almonds on top of each cookie for decoration.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes, until the edges are set, but the centers remain soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- To make gluten-free use a GF flour mix like Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Mix.
- Use a mix of whole wheat and all purpouse flour for a bit of texture.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
