Chewy Sugar Cookies

By catgirl

"I love sugar cookies that are crisp on the outside and very chewy on the inside. This recipe can easily be made into snickerdoodle cookies by rolling the dough in cinnamon-sugar before baking. I also sometimes add almond extract for a different flavor."

To store: Although I’ve tested them for longer and the batches I’ve tried seem fine for up to 4 weeks, my general rule of thumb is up to 2 weeks. I know they’re fine to eat at 4 weeks, but I feel better about giving the cookies away when the recipients don’t need to eat them right away.

It’s important to wrap them in some sort of an airtight bag or container once they’re dry. I like to put cookies individually in cellophane bags and tie with a pretty ribbon.

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups margarine
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup white sugar for decoration

Details

Adapted from allrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until just blended. Roll the dough into walnut sized balls and roll the balls in remaining 1/4 cup of sugar. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets and flatten slightly.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned at the edges. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.