• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Ebook!Subscribe to updates & get a recipe book!

Subscribe & Receive My Free Recipe Ebook!

The Chunky Chef

Comforting Family Recipes

  • All Recipes
  • Learn to Cook
  • Shop
    • My eBooks
    • Favorite Products
  • About
  • Contact
  • Trending:

    Slow Cooker

    Easy Dinners

    Desserts

    My Saved Recipe Box
  • Browse By:
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Sides
    • Drinks
    • Desserts
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Sandwiches
    • Healthy-ish
  • Ingredient
    • Chicken
    • Beef
    • Pork
    • Turkey
    • Seafood
    • Meatless
    • Pasta
  • Cuisine
    • Asian
    • Italian
    • Mexican
    • Hawaiian
    • Middle Eastern
    • Comfort Food
  • Method
    • One Pot
    • Crockpot
    • Instant Pot
    • Oven
    • Fried
    • Grilling/BBQ
  • Trending:

    Slow Cooker

    Easy Dinners

    Desserts

Home / Dessert

Soft Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies

4.86
/5
1 hour 19 minutes
37 Comments
Jump to Recipe Print Pin
By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 11/30/2015

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These vanilla bean sugar cookies are rolled in sugar for a sparkling appearance and a soft, light and chewy texture that will make these your new favorite!

The ONLY sugar cookie recipe you’ll need!  Soft and chewy, these sugar cookies practically melt in your mouth, and are bursting with vanilla flavor!

Soft Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies | These vanilla bean sugar cookies are rolled in sugar for a sparkling appearance and a soft, light and chewy texture that will make these your new favorite!I can’t even tell you all how many different sugar cookie recipes I’ve tried over the years… it’s a LOT.  They were all good, but not spectacularly amazing, which is what I was searching for.

Well here it is you guys… I found a recipe on Pinterest and tweaked it a little and found the holy grail of cookies.  My kids went crazy over these, as did my parents, grandparents, well pretty much everyone I’ve shared these with!

Soft Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies | These vanilla bean sugar cookies are rolled in sugar for a sparkling appearance and a soft, light and chewy texture that will make these your new favorite!

There are 3 secrets that make these the best cookies EVER!  I guess they’re not really secrets, but they’re definitely key steps.

  1. Use a 1:1 butter and sugar ratio for that perfect balance of buttery flavor and sweetness.
  2. Chilling the dough before baking.  This gives you an easier to handle dough and gives you a nice fluffy cookie.
  3. Rolling the cookie balls in granulated sugar not only gives the cookies that sparkling appearance, but it creates an awesome sugar “crust” that gives the cookie a nice crispiness on the outside, then that super fluffy, soft inside.

 Soft Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies | These vanilla bean sugar cookies are rolled in sugar for a sparkling appearance and a soft, light and chewy texture that will make these your new favorite!

Making the cookies is really simple, plus you get the added fun of smooshing, (yes, it’s a very technical culinary term) the cookie dough balls down into disks of even thickness.

Plus, if you have kids, rolling the cookie dough into balls is something they’ll love to help you with!

Soft Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies | These vanilla bean sugar cookies are rolled in sugar for a sparkling appearance and a soft, light and chewy texture that will make these your new favorite!

Notice how the cookies aren’t really golden?  As they’re baking, once you see the edges of the cookies barely turning golden, pull them from the oven.

These sugar cookies are a perfect gift to give around the holidays… to a hostess of a party you’re attending, a neighbor you want to thank, or just about anyone!  Although, they’re so good, make sure to bake an extra batch for yourself too.

Soft Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies | These vanilla bean sugar cookies are rolled in sugar for a sparkling appearance and a soft, light and chewy texture that will make these your new favorite!

I’m a sugar cookie purist, so I like mine just the way they are… but if you want to spread some glaze on the top of these bad boys, go right ahead 🙂

Soft Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies | These vanilla bean sugar cookies are rolled in sugar for a sparkling appearance and a soft, light and chewy texture that will make these your new favorite!

When you’re planning your Christmas baking… don’t forget to save a spot for these sugar cookies… you won’t be disappointed!

Soft Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies | These vanilla bean sugar cookies are rolled in sugar for a sparkling appearance and a soft, light and chewy texture that will make these your new favorite!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!

Soft Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies | These vanilla bean sugar cookies are rolled in sugar for a sparkling appearance and a soft, light and chewy texture that will make these your new favorite!

Soft Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies

4.86 from 7 votes
Author: The Chunky Chef
Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 19 minutes
Calories: 212
Servings: 24 - 36 cookies
(hover over # to adjust)
Print Rate Pin
These vanilla bean sugar cookies are rolled in sugar for a sparkling appearance and a soft, light and chewy texture that will make these your new favorite!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/8 tsp ground ginger
  • 3 sticks unsalted butter softened (1 1/2 cups )
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar + extra for rolling
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Combine flour, baking powder, salt and ginger in a medium mixing bowl, whisk to eliminate any lumps, and set aside.
  • Add softened butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat on MED-HIGH speed for 3 minutes or more to cream the butter and sugar together. The butter should be fluffy and almost white in color.
  • Add eggs and vanilla bean paste (or extract) and beat on LOW for an additional 30 seconds. Scrape the sides of the bowl if necessary.
  • Add in the flour mixture in thirds, beating on LOW to just combine in between additions. Continue to scrape the sides of the bowl if necessary.
  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour, or up to 1 day.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Add extra granulated sugar to a small bowl. Use a small cookie scoop or spoon out dough and roll into 1 inch size balls. Drop balls, one at a time, into the sugar bowl and roll them around to coat the ball completely in sugar. Place balls on baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.
  • Using a small drinking glass, dip the bottom in the sugar bowl and then use the sugared bottom of the glass to flatten the balls to about 1/2 inch thick.
  • Bake for approximately 9-10 minutes, until the cookie edges are just barely golden.
  • Cool on cooling racks.

Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!

Chef Tips

** recipe adapted from A Spicy Perspective

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Did You Make This?Tag @the_chunky_chef on Instagram and hashtag it #thechunkychef so I can see what you made!
Tag on Insta! Leave a Rating Save for Later Saved!

NEVER MISS A CHUNKY CHEF RECIPE:

FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM /  PINTEREST / TWITTER  

Soft Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies | If you like soft and chewy sugar cookies, then this is THE recipe for you!  Rolled in granulated sugar, these thick cookies have a buttery richness and plenty of vanilla flavor. | The Chunky Chef | #sugarcookies #sugarcookierecipe #holidaybaking #softandchewy #Christmascookies

Other Great Cookie Recipes

Spiced-Soft-Molasses-Cookies-logo

Spiced Soft Molasses Cookies

Soft-and-Chewy-White-Chocolate-Macadamia-Nut-Cookies-21-square

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

You May Also Like...

  • Soft Spiced Molasses Cookies | Soft and perfectly spiced, these cookies will soon become one of your favorite! These cookies are soft and chewy, with that classic dark molasses flavor!
    Spiced Soft Molasses Cookies
  • These cut out sugar cookies are delicious, have slightly crispy edges and soft centers, keep their shape, and they have perfect edges every single time!  The only sugar cookie recipe you'll need! #sugarcookie #cutoutcookies #dessert #easyrecipe #makeahead #christmascookie #christmas #holiday #baking
    Cut-Out Sugar Cookies
  • Soft Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies
  • Fudgy and moist, these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are a wonderful combination of cookies and brownies, and all with that classic crackly top that makes them a favorite for Christmas baking! #cookies #crinkle #Christmas #cookietray #chocolate #brownie #baking #dessertrecipe #cookierecipe #holidaybaking
    Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Previous Post
Next Post

Meet The Chunky Chef

Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

Learn More

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question, comment, or review below.

Recipe Rating




  1. Sigrid Wild says

    Posted on 1/15 at 2:05 pm

    The vanilla cookies are the best. Can I freeze the dough ?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 1/16 at 8:40 pm

      So glad you love them! I haven’t tested it, but you should be able to freeze this dough 🙂

      Reply
  2. Nechama says

    Posted on 10/27 at 7:01 pm

    ok, I’ll be the one to ask this: I can’t do butter- I am seriously lactose intolerant and butter is the worst for me. can I sub anything else or am I better off just looking for another one of your gorgeous-looking recipes which doesn’t use butter? thank you!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 10/29 at 2:39 pm

      I don’t have any experience making this recipe without using butter… and margarine causes cookies to spread quite a bit. This molasses cookie recipe doesn’t use any butter, if you’re open to a different flavor 🙂 https://www.thechunkychef.com/spiced-soft-molasses-cookies/

      Reply
  3. Jane Collins says

    Posted on 10/13 at 10:34 pm

    Just wondering if these would be good with higher fat European butter

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 10/14 at 9:39 am

      I haven’t tested it, so I can’t say for certain.

      Reply
  4. Lora Dansker says

    Posted on 12/15 at 12:39 pm

    Hi, I want to make your vanilla bean cookies to be in a gift set including cranberry orange cookies and ginger molasses cookies, I don’t understand the ginger addition to the vanilla bean cookies? I already have a ginger item so I don’t need another one, Or, does that small amount of ginger do something else?

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/15 at 8:37 pm

      It really adds a subtle backnote of flavor, but if you wanted to leave it out, feel free to

      Reply
  5. anonymous says

    Posted on 11/10 at 7:01 pm

    These cookies turn out amazing!! They are perfect for people who aren’t big sweet-eaters, everyone who has had them absolutely loved them! Delicious!

    Reply
  6. Taylor says

    Posted on 4/14 at 6:24 pm

    Made these with gluten free flour (cup for cup), they turned out GREAT! Best recipe I’ve used so far!!

    Reply
  7. Myrna says

    Posted on 12/3 at 8:59 pm

    These cookies are the best, better than the pouch I buy a TG the super market. My kids love them, I had to make a extra batch for there friends.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/4 at 9:00 pm

      Hi Myrna 🙂 I’m so happy to hear that you and your kids loved these cookies! I think I’ll bake a batch for my kiddos this week 🙂

      Reply
  8. Karma says

    Posted on 11/14 at 12:50 pm

    Can these be rolled out and cut

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 11/14 at 4:13 pm

      Hi Karma ? I don’t think these would have the right texture to roll out, they’re more of a traditional sugar cookie. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it went though!

      Reply
  9. Karma says

    Posted on 11/12 at 1:03 am

    Can these be rolled out and cut out?

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 11/12 at 9:43 am

      Hi Karma 🙂 I don’t think these would have the right texture to roll out, they’re more of a traditional sugar cookie. If you try it, I’d love to hear how it went though!

      Reply
  10. Katie says

    Posted on 4/3 at 7:30 am

    Hi, I made these yesterday to take to church coffee hour. These are the perfect little sugar cookie. I used the vanilla bean and love seeing the little specs of vanilla. Soft delicious cookies! These will be my go to sugar cookie recipe. Thanks!! I know everyone is going to love these.

    Reply
  11. Jasmine says

    Posted on 2/8 at 3:53 pm

    Do you have to use a stand mixer for this recipe?

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 2/8 at 4:08 pm

      Hi Jasmine 🙂 I find that I get the best results with my stand mixer, but these can certainly be made using a hand mixer as well.

      Reply
  12. Cookin Canuck says

    Posted on 12/2 at 12:58 pm

    You can’t beat a really good sugar cookies, and it looks as though you’ve found the perfect recipe!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/6 at 10:33 pm

      Thank you so much!! 😀

      Reply
  13. Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says

    Posted on 12/1 at 8:03 pm

    The texture of these looks perfect!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/6 at 10:32 pm

      Thank you Lauren!! 😀

      Reply
  14. Amy Stafford says

    Posted on 12/1 at 6:05 pm

    Sugar cookies are the quintessential cookie recipe. This one looks amazing.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/6 at 10:32 pm

      Thank you Amy!! 😀

      Reply
  15. Renee - Kudos Kitchen says

    Posted on 12/1 at 5:55 pm

    These look similar to a cookie I make every year for Christmas but mine doesn’t have ginger. I love that touch!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/6 at 10:31 pm

      I love that little something extra the ginger adds 🙂

      Reply
  16. Joanie @ Zagleft says

    Posted on 12/1 at 9:22 am

    Sugar cookies and Christmas seem to go hand in hand. I love the simplicity of this recipe, and no rolling out the dough makes them easy to make. I’m looking forward to making up a batch very soon.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/6 at 10:30 pm

      Thank you Joanie!! I have zero patience for rolling out dough lol 🙂

      Reply
  17. Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says

    Posted on 12/1 at 9:07 am

    Soooo, our local coffee shop has been doing this sugar cookie white hot chocolate and I am in love. Now, I am thinking if I make this recipe and some homemade hot chocolate, I could totally pull off my own version! And maybe eat a few of these on their own 🙂

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/6 at 10:30 pm

      Oooooh that sugar cookie white hot chocolate sounds to die for!! 😀

      Reply
  18. Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says

    Posted on 12/1 at 7:50 am

    I am all about a good sugar cookie! I haven’t made them in so long (years!), but I’m inspired to…these look perfect!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 12/6 at 10:29 pm

      Thank you Faith!! 🙂

      Reply
  19. janella says

    Posted on 11/30 at 11:13 am

    I have always wanted to make vanilla bean cookies. you make it looks so easy and the cookies looks so delicious

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 11/30 at 3:17 pm

      Thank you Janella!! 🙂

      Reply
  20. Faye says

    Posted on 11/30 at 9:31 am

    These look delicious! I love these types of cookies. Can’t wait to try this recipe – thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 11/30 at 3:16 pm

      Thank you Faye!! 😀

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

welcome!

Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

New! Save Recipes To Your Own Account!

Free eBook!

Subscribe & receive my most popular recipes compiled into an easy ebook format!

download now!

Subscribe & Receive My Free Recipe Ebook!

Game Day Recipes!

These crowd-pleasing tender meatballs are smothered in a super flavorful honey garlic bbq sauce.  Perfect for parties, this crockpot meatball recipe couldn't be more simple to make! #meatballs #crockpot #slowcooker #honeygarlic #bbq #appetizer #party #honey #garlic #easyrecipe

Honey Garlic Crockpot Meatballs

2 hours 5 minutes

Smooth and silky queso dip, made using NO velveeta!  Packed with flavor, yet so easy to make, and party ready in just 20 minutes! #queso #dip #cheese #mexican #appetizer #party #cincodemayo #easyrecipe

Queso Dip Recipe

20 minutes

Creamy, cheesy, and oh so addicting, this bacon cheeseburger dip is just like your favorite gooey cheeseburger... but in a party-ready dip form! #bacon #gameday #cheesy #cheeseburger #party #appetizer #dip #easyrecipe

Creamy Bacon Cheeseburger Dip

32 minutes

Insanely tasty chicken wing recipe, dry rubbed, then hickory smoked to perfection.  And don't forget the homemade bourbon bbq sauce! #chickenwings #wingrecipe #smoked #smoker #smokedchickenwings #bourbon #bbq #crispy

Bourbon BBQ Smoked Chicken Wings

3 hours

This easy game day appetizer combines classic buffalo wing flavors with cool creaminess in an easy dip made in the crockpot. Perfect for any party, serve it up with chips or celery sticks and watch everyone go back for seconds!

Buffalo Chicken Dip (Crockpot Recipe)

2 hours 10 minutes

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels | These pinwheels are filled with a creamy chicken taco filling, which is easily customizable, and rolled up to make a perfect appetizer or party food! | http://thechunkychef.com

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels

15 minutes

More Holiday Recipes >

Who doesn’t love free stuff?

Who doesn't love free stuff? Get an ad-free ebook of my most popular recipes, plus be the FIRST to know about new things coming to the site!

Looking for something?

As Seen On…

Stay Connected

subscribe to get new posts via email:

Quick & Easy

Dinner Favorites

Hearty and positively soul-warming, this beef barley soup simmers all day in the slow cooker, which makes for an incredibly rich soup recipe! #beefbarley #soup #slowcooker #crockpot #comfortfood #barley #beefsoup #easyrecipe #dinner
M

Crockpot Beef Barley Soup

white bowl of chicken and dumplings
T

Instant Pot Chicken & Dumplings

HONEY GARLIC SALMON - Succulent and tender salmon filets cooked in a mouthwatering simple honey garlic sauce, then broiled until sticky and caramelized.  Made with simple ingredients, in one pan, and in just 20 minutes! #salmon #honeygarlic #onepan #easyrecipe #dinner #seafood #fish
W

Honey Garlic Glazed Salmon

Light and filling, this Italian Wedding Soup is perfectly delicious comfort food, all year round.  Made in one pan, and ready in 30 minutes, this recipe is great for a weeknight meal! #soup #souprecipe #Italianweddingsoup #onepot #30minutemeal #weeknight #dinner #easyrecipe #homemaderecipe
R

Italian Wedding Soup

This Honey Garlic Chicken is one incredible weeknight dinner idea. Juicy chicken coated and cooked with a glorious sauce made with soy, hoisin, garlic, honey and more! Toss it all in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you! #dinner #chicken #asian #honey #garlic #honeygarlic #easyrecipe #weeknight #slowcooker #crockpot
F

Honey Garlic Chicken

S

Swedish Meatballs

Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window
free e-book!

Download MY Free Recipe eBook!

Subscribe & receive my most popular recipes compiled into an easy ebook format!

get my copy!

Subscribe & Receive My Free Recipe Ebook!

As Featured On:

Back to Top

Recipes

Dinners

Appetizers

Desserts

Slow Cooker

Learn to Cook

Start Here

Tips & Tricks

e-Cookbook

Easy Recipes

  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy
  • Contact
© 2023 The Chunky Chef
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top