If you’re a fan of soft, chewy cookies that melt in your mouth, then you’ve probably heard of the legendary Swig Sugar Cookies. These delightful treats are famous for their sweet flavor, buttery texture, and a unique frosting that takes them to another level. Today, I’m excited to share my version of these beloved cookies, bringing you Copycat Swig Sugar Cookies that you can whip up right in your own kitchen. With a few simple ingredients and steps, you’ll be well on your way to cookie heaven!
Why It Works Every Time
The secret to achieving the perfect Copycat Swig Sugar Cookies lies in the balance of ingredients and the method used. The combination of granulated and powdered sugar gives these cookies a soft texture, while the addition of canola oil keeps them moist. The baking soda paired with cream of tartar creates a light and fluffy cookie that doesn’t spread too much during baking. When you follow these steps, you can expect cookies that are deliciously tender and perfectly sweet every single time.
Gather These Ingredients
To make these scrumptious cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1/2 pound salted butter, softened (1 cup)
- 260 grams granulated sugar (about 1 cup)
- 97 grams powdered sugar (about 3/4 cup)
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 egg
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 630 grams all-purpose flour (see notes below)
- 1/2 cup salted butter, softened but still cold (about 65 degrees)
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 drop liquid food coloring
What’s in the Gear List
Before you start baking, make sure you have the right equipment on hand:
- Mixing bowls – for creaming the butter and sugars.
- Stand mixer or hand mixer – to get that perfect light and fluffy texture.
- Baking sheets – lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Cookie scoop – for uniform cookie sizes.
- Cooling rack – to allow your cookies to cool evenly.
Copycat Swig Sugar Cookies: How It’s Done
Ready to dive into the baking process? Let’s go step by step!
Step 1: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. Use your mixer on medium speed to cream these ingredients together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Next, add the canola oil, water, and egg to the creamed mixture. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher cookies.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Step 5: Preheat the Oven
While your dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Step 6: Scoop and Shape the Cookies
Once the dough is chilled, use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently press down on each cookie to flatten slightly.
Step 7: Bake
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked, but they will continue to cook as they cool.
Step 8: Cool and Frost
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. While they cool, prepare the frosting.
Step 9: Make the Frosting
In a mixing bowl, combine the cold softened butter, milk, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and fluffy. If you wish to add color to your frosting, incorporate a drop of food coloring and mix until the desired shade is achieved.
Step 10: Frost the Cookies
Once the cookies are completely cool, generously frost each cookie with the prepared frosting.
Dairy-Free/Gluten-Free Swaps
If you need to make these cookies dairy-free or gluten-free, consider the following swaps:
- Substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative like vegan butter or coconut oil.
- Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular all-purpose flour.
- Make sure your powdered sugar is free from any additives that contain gluten.
Chef’s Notes
- For the best flavor, use high-quality vanilla extract.
- Make sure your butter is softened properly; it should be pliable but not melting.
- If you want a thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
- For a fun twist, try adding sprinkles on top of the frosting for extra color and texture.
Make-Ahead & Storage
You can prepare the cookie dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months—just thaw it in the refrigerator before baking. Once baked, these cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Troubleshooting Q&A
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
If your cookies are spreading too much, it may be due to melted butter or not chilling the dough long enough. Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, and allow the dough to chill before baking.
How do I know when my cookies are done baking?
The cookies should be lightly golden around the edges and slightly soft in the center. They will firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they look a little underbaked!
Can I use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar?
Yes! Using brown sugar will give your cookies a deeper flavor and a chewier texture. You can substitute half the granulated sugar with brown sugar if you prefer.
What if I don’t have cream of tartar?
If you don’t have cream of tartar, you can substitute it with an equal amount of baking powder. Just keep in mind that the texture may vary slightly.
Final Bite
There you have it! Your very own Copycat Swig Sugar Cookies that are sure to impress friends and family alike. With their soft, buttery texture and sweet frosting, these cookies are perfect for any occasion or simply as a delightful treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get baking—these cookies are calling your name!
Copycat Swig Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. Use your mixer on medium speed to cream these ingredients together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Next, add the canola oil, water, and egg to the creamed mixture. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cream of tartar. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher cookies.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- While your dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Once the dough is chilled, use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently press down on each cookie to flatten slightly.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. The centers may look slightly underbaked, but they will continue to cook as they cool.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. While they cool, prepare the frosting.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cold softened butter, milk, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and fluffy. If you wish to add color to your frosting, incorporate a drop of food coloring and mix until the desired shade is achieved.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, generously frost each cookie with the prepared frosting.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use high-quality vanilla extract.
- Make sure your butter is softened properly; it should be pliable but not melting.
- If you want a thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
- For a fun twist, try adding sprinkles on top of the frosting for extra color and texture.
