The Best Soft and Chewy Vanilla Cookies (Better Than Store-Bought!)

Yo guys, I’m so excited to share my absolute favorite vanilla cookie recipe with you today!

After countless batches of testing (my family wasn’t complaining!), I’ve perfected these soft, chewy vanilla cookies that are seriously amazing.

The best part? They’re super simple to make – we’re talking 10 minutes of prep time. No fancy ingredients, no complicated steps, just pure vanilla goodness.

Why These Vanilla Cookies Are Going to Be Your New Go-To

You know those times when you just need a really good cookie, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? These vanilla cookies are your answer.

They remind me of those soft-baked cookies from the mall (you know the ones!), but even better because they’re homemade and fresh from your oven.

What Makes These Cookies Special

• They stay soft and chewy for days (if they last that long!)
• You only need basic pantry ingredients
• No chilling time required
• Perfect base recipe for adding your own twists
• Great for baking with kids

Let’s Talk Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing cookies:

The Basics

• Butter: Make sure it’s at room temperature – this is super important!
• Granulated sugar: Regular white sugar works perfectly
• Vanilla: I love using vanilla bean paste, but vanilla extract works great too
• Egg: Just one, at room temperature
• All-purpose flour: Nothing fancy needed here
• Salt: Don’t skip this – it makes all the difference
• Baking soda: Check that expiration date!

Tips from My Kitchen to Yours

After making these cookies about a million times (okay, maybe slight exaggeration), I’ve learned some tricks that make a huge difference:

Room Temperature Ingredients Matter

I used to be super impatient about waiting for butter to soften, but trust me – room temperature butter and eggs make such a difference. Your cookies will turn out way better when everything mixes together smoothly.

Measure Your Flour Correctly

Here’s something I learned the hard way – too much flour equals tough cookies. If you’re using cups instead of a scale, fluff up your flour first, spoon it into the measuring cup, and level it off. Don’t scoop directly from the flour bag!

The Simple Steps

1. Heat your oven to 350°F (180°C) – I always do this first so it’s properly hot when we’re ready
2. Mix butter and sugar until they’re fluffy (about 2-3 minutes)
3. Add vanilla and egg
4. Mix in dry ingredients until just combined
5. Scoop, roll in sugar, and bake!

Make These Cookies Your Own

One thing I love about this recipe is how versatile it is. Here are some ways my readers (and I!) have changed things up:

• Roll in colored sugar for holidays
• Add sprinkles for a fun birthday version
• Mix in some cinnamon with the rolling sugar
• Add chocolate chips (because why not?)

Storage Tips and Tricks

These cookies stay fresh in an airtight container for about 4-5 days. I keep mine on the counter, but here’s a fun tip: pop one in the microwave for 10 seconds before eating, and it tastes just like it’s fresh from the oven!

Freezing Options

The dough freezes really well! I often make a double batch and freeze half for cookie emergencies (yes, that’s a real thing!). Just scoop the dough, freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. You can bake them straight from frozen – just add an extra minute or two to the baking time.

Common Questions I Get Asked

“Can I make these smaller?” Sure! Just reduce the baking time by a couple minutes.

“Why did my cookies spread too much?” Usually this means either your butter was too soft or your baking soda is old. Try popping the dough in the fridge for 15 minutes if this happens.

Give These a Try!

I really hope you’ll give these vanilla cookies a shot – they’re perfect for bake sales, after-school snacks, or just because it’s Tuesday and you need a cookie. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll be making them all the time!

Let me know in the comments if you make them – I love hearing how they turn out in your kitchen! And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram if you share a photo. Nothing makes me happier than seeing your baking success!

Happy baking, friends! 🍪