Cracked Sugar Cookies – Soft, Chewy, and Perfectly Sweet

Cracked Sugar Cookies are a timeless classic—simple, elegant, and irresistibly good. These cookies are a staple for every occasion with their signature crackled tops, soft and chewy centers, and delicate vanilla flavor. Whether you’re baking for the holidays, prepping school lunchbox treats, or just want a cozy bite with your tea or coffee, these cookies are as comforting as they are crave-worthy.

What Makes Cracked Sugar Cookies So Special?

The charm of cracked sugar cookies lies in their beautifully crackled exterior, achieved by the perfect balance of sugar, fat, and baking technique. While the edges are delicately crisp, the center remains soft and chewy—creating a texture contrast that’s simply irresistible.

These cookies are also endlessly versatile. They can be dressed up with citrus zest, rolled in colored sugars for festive flair, or filled with a surprise center like Nutella or jam.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, plus more for rolling
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

How to Make Cracked Sugar Cookies

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar until light, fluffy, and pale in color. This should take about 2–3 minutes using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed.

Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until well combined and creamy.

⏱️ Time: 5 minutes

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.

The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.

⏱️ Time: 3–4 minutes

3. Chill the Dough (Optional but Recommended)

For best results, cover and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes. This helps the dough firm up and prevents spreading too much during baking, which enhances the cracked effect.

⏱️ Chill Time: 30 minutes

4. Shape and Coat

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Scoop the dough into 1 to 1.5-inch balls (about a tablespoon each). Roll each ball in granulated sugar until well coated, then place them on the baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.

⏱️ Time: 10 minutes

5. Bake

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to set and the centers are slightly puffed. The cracks will naturally form as the cookies bake.

Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

⏱️ Baking Time: 9–11 minutes

Tips for the Perfect Cracked Sugar Cookie

• Use room-temperature butter and egg for smooth mixing and better texture.
• Don’t overbake—cookies will continue to cook slightly on the baking sheet after you remove them from the oven.
• For a flavor twist, add lemon or orange zest, a dash of almond extract, or ground cinnamon to the dough.
• To make them sparkle for the holidays, roll in colored sanding sugars.
• Double the recipe—these cookies freeze beautifully and are always in demand!

Storing and Freezing

• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months. To freeze unbaked dough, form into balls and freeze on a baking sheet, then store in freezer-safe bags—just thaw slightly before baking.

Nutritional Info (Per Cookie, Approximate)

• Calories: 150
• Fat: 8g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Sugar: 10g
• Protein: 1g

Why You’ll Love These Cracked Sugar Cookies

These cookies are a perfect mix of classic flavor and comforting texture. The buttery richness, the subtle vanilla aroma, and the irresistible crackled tops make them look as good as they taste. Cracked Sugar Cookies are always a win, whether you’re making them for a cookie exchange, a family gathering, or just for yourself.

They’re nostalgic, simple, and impossibly good—everything a cookie should be.