These Copycat Great American Cookies Sugar Cookies are a spot on copycat recipe. These cookies have crisp edges, soft chewy middles, and a little bit of tangy flavor, just like the real deal! Recipe includes a how-to video.
I’m a huge fan of the sugar cookie at Great American Cookies (or you may know them as the cookies you get at the mall). I know most people know them by their famous cookie cakes but their regular sized cookies are amazing too.
I have tons more Copycat Recipes, if you love making homemade versions of your restaurant favorites. I also have a copycat for Great American Cookies Domino Cookies, Great American Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Great American Cookies White Macadamia Nut Cookies too!
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What we know about these sugar cookies
- Great American Cookies sugar cookies are chewy, soft, and have a little zest to them. Their edges are crisp. They’re not a super thick cookie, but not ultra thin either.
- That little extra special element about them is lemon extract! Its just a little zing that goes great with the overall flavor.
- By using agave syrup (or corn syrup) we can replicate the soft and chewy texture at home.
🥣 Ingredients needed
The complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card further below in the post.
For these cookies, you will need:
- All purpose flour
- Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature.
- Sugar and brown sugar
- Agave syrup: I used agave syrup but corn syrup will also work. I personally don’t like to use corn syrup in my baking but if you don’t mind feel free to use it. The syrup is what will help us recreate the soft and chewy texture of the cookie.
- Vanilla extract and lemon extract: Be sure to use lemon extract and not lemon juice, as they are different. The lemon extract is what gives the cookies the tangy notes just like the real version.
- Baking powder, baking soda, and salt
- Egg
🔪 Equipment needed
You will need a hand or stand mixer, large mixing bowl, baking sheet, and parchment (not wax) paper.
⏲️ Recipe instructions (step by step guide)
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (not wax paper).
Cream together the sugar, brown sugar, agave, and butter.
Add in the remaining ingredients except for the sprinkles.
Roll the dough into balls and space about two inches apart. The dough may seem crumbly but just work it with your hands.
Top with sprinkles.
Bake cookies for 8 to 11 minutes. They will be slightly golden but if you bake them too long they won’t have the same soft texture as the original.
Let the cookies rest on the tray for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- Let your cookies rest for about 10 minutes on the hot tray before transferring. This will help them finish baking.
🥡 How to store leftovers
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will be good for up to four days after baking.
Other copycat cookie recipes that you might like:
- Copycat Great American Cookies White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
- Copycat Great American Cookie Domino Cookies
- Copycat Great American Cookies Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
- Copycat Starbucks Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Copycat Christie’s Cookies
- Copycat Otis Spunkmeyer Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Copycat Potbelly Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Copycat Subway Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you tried these Copycat Great American Sugar Cookies or any other recipe on my site, please leave a ⭐ rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I would love to hear from you and I’m always happy to try to answer any questions you may have!
Copycat Great American Cookies Sugar Cookies
Equipment
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter softened to room temperature (12 tablespoons)
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup white sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup agave syrup or corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 egg beaten
- ½ teaspoon salt
- colored sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (not wax paper).
- Cream together the sugar, brown sugar, agave, and butter.¾ cup butter, 1 cup white sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup agave syrup
- Add in the remaining ingredients except for the sprinkles.
- Roll the dough into balls and space about two inches apart. The dough may seem crumbly but just work it with your hands.2 ½ cups all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon lemon extract, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 egg, ½ teaspoon salt
- Top with sprinkles.colored sprinkles
- Bake cookies for 8 to 11 minutes. They will be slightly golden but if you bake them too long they won't have the same soft texture as the original.
- Let the cookies rest on the tray for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Leslie Perotka says
The real deal! I’ve been searching for the perfect simple sugar cookie recipe, like the ones at the mall for years, and had never found the right One. Until now! I halved the recipe, as I didn’t have enough butter for the full order and they were still perfect! I used corn syrup bc I had it on hand, and they are perfection. Absolutely my new number 1 sugar cookie recipe! Thanks SO much. I added sprinkles to some and M&M’s to others, and no matter what I did, amazing! And easy!
Audrey says
I’m so glad you liked them!!
Lindsey says
I was just wondering, could you substitute lemon juice for lemon extract? & would it come out the same?
Also, I’m curious as to why you chose to use agave rather than regular white or brown sugar…?
Audrey says
Hi Lindsey, I would recommend using lemon extract because it is stronger than just lemon juice and a little bit of a different flavor profile. I used agave because I don’t like to use corn syrup in my baking. You can also use corn syrup and it’ll give you the same chewy texture as the Great American Cookie Co (It is a 1 for 1 sub for the agave). The agave is in addition to the brown and white sugars for the soft and chewy texture. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Lesh says
Followed this recipe – no substitutions. Perfectly perfected perfect cookies!!!! Love love love this recipe!! In awe of how close it tastes to the sugar cookie. I can definitely taste the lemon extract and see it’s a necessary ingredient. Again love this recipe!!! A must try!!
Audrey says
I am so glad you liked this recipe. Their sugar cookies are my favorite so I HAD to make a copycat recipe lol. Thanks so much for taking time to leave a review. Happy baking!
Mary Elizabeth Vardaman says
We love Great American Cookie Company! Thanks for sharing this! Can’t wait to try this with my kids this weekend after out first week of virtual school is OVER! LOL
Two Pink Peonies says
Cookies always make everything better!
Michelle says
This recipe looks really good! I might just try it out with my daughter 🙂
Marie says
This recipe looks and sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing!