Introduction

Oh, friends, when the air gets crisp and you just want your whole house to smell like a cozy bakery, this is the recipe you need. These Brown Sugar Butter Cookies are pure, nostalgic comfort! Imagine a cookie that is unbelievably chewy, incredibly soft, and bursting with deep, caramel-like brown sugar and warm fall spices. It’s one of those perfect “cookies fall recipes” that comes together so fast, you can have a warm batch on the cooling rack in under 30 minutes. It’s the perfect, simple balance of a comforting treat and an easy, joyful baking project.

Serving Versatility

These cookies are the definition of a simple, versatile treat! They are a perfect “cookie autumn” snack, absolutely amazing on their own with a glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee. You can also easily dress them up for a holiday platter. They are one of my favorite “Thanksgiving cookie flavors” to add to a dessert board because their simple, spiced flavor pairs so well with everything.

Full Recipe Section

Chewy Fall Brown Sugar Butter Cookies

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10-12 minutes Total time: 22 minutes Servings: 24-30 cookies Calories: Approximately 120 kcal per cookie

Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1.5 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Cream Butter & Sugars: In a separate large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter, packed brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
4. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract.
5. Combine: Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly add the dry ingredient mixture. Mix just until combined. Do not overmix!
6. Scoop: Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
7. Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are just set. They will look slightly puffy.
8. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. This allows them to set up. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick Preparation: The dough comes together in 10 minutes, making it one of the best “backing ideas fall” recipes for a last-minute craving.
• Pantry Staples: You likely have all these simple, budget-friendly ingredients in your kitchen right now.
• Big, Cozy Flavor: These are the ultimate chewy fall cookies! The brown sugar and spices create a deep, warm, caramel-like flavor.
• The Perfect Texture: They are incredibly soft and chewy in the center, with slightly crisp, buttery edges.
• Customizable: Add 1 cup of chocolate chips, toffee bits, or chopped pecans to make them your own!

Cultural or Cooking Technique Note (Optional)

The magic of these Brown Sugar Butter Cookies comes from the high ratio of brown sugar. Unlike white sugar (which just adds sweetness and crispness), brown sugar contains molasses. Molasses is acidic (which reacts with baking soda for a great lift) and hygroscopic, meaning it holds onto moisture. This is the secret that keeps these cookies wonderfully soft, moist, and chewy for days!

Serving Suggestions

1. With a Warm Drink: The absolute perfect companion to a hot cup of coffee, a chai latte, or a mug of hot apple cider.
2. Holiday Platter: A must-have for any Thanksgiving cookie platter. They are a simple, “fall themed cookies easy” option that everyone loves.
3. Ice Cream Sandwich: Place a scoop of salted caramel or vanilla bean ice cream between two cookies for an epic dessert.
4. The Classic: Serve slightly warm with a tall glass of cold milk.

Pro Tips for Success

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Your butter and eggs must be at room temperature. This is the key to a light, fluffy, and uniform cookie texture.
• Do Not Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix only until the last streak of flour disappears. Overmixing develops gluten and makes your cookies tough, not chewy.
• Use a Cookie Scoop: For perfectly uniform cookies that all bake at the same time, use a medium (1.5 tablespoon) cookie scoop.
• For Extra Chewy Cookies: If you have the time, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. This prevents the cookies from spreading too much and makes them even chewier.

Storage & Reheating

• Storage: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. (My secret tip: add a single slice of plain bread to the container. The cookies will absorb its moisture and stay extra soft!).
• Freezing: You can freeze the baked cookies in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Or, freeze the raw cookie dough balls and bake from frozen (just add 1-2 extra minutes to the bake time).

Closing Paragraph

I am so excited for you to try these simple, perfect Brown Sugar Butter Cookies! They are one of my favorite “cookies fall recipes” to make the second the weather turns cool. I hope they fill your home with the coziest smells and bring a little extra sweetness to your day. If you try them, please leave a comment and a rating below!

🎀 Final Thoughts

This is my go-to “I need to bake now” cookie. It’s so simple, but that chewy, caramelly, spicy-sweet flavor is just everything I want in a fall treat. There is nothing better than curling up with a couple of these (still warm!) and a hot mug of tea. It’s just a little piece of happiness.