These are the world's best sugar cookies! They are soft, chewy, keep well, and have a simple and pure flavor that keeps hands reaching for just one more.
Preheat oven to 375. Lightly grease (or line with parchment) two baking sheets. I just spray them with cooking spray.Place butter, brown and white sugar, butter, corn syrup, vanilla, lemon extract (if using), baking powder, baking soda, salt, and egg in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until well blended. Add in flour and beat until well incorporated.
Pour a few tablespoons of each color of decorating sugar into shallow dish. Stir to combine colors. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls (a tablespoon cookie scoop works well here) into sugar, rolling the balls to coat them. Place on prepared baking sheets, about two inches apart.
Bake cookies for ten minutes until the edges are just barely beginning to brown, they'll look soft. If you bake these cookies too long, they'll be crunchy rather than chewy.
Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to rack to cool completely.