Butter Cookies Recipe
If there’s ever been a treat that perfectly balances pure, nostalgic comfort and irresistible, melt-in-your-mouth elegance, it’s Butter Cookies. Each golden, delicate bite provides that classic crumbly texture and rich, buttery flavor we all crave. Perfect for holiday gifting, tea-time indulgence, or just a sweet pick-me-up alongside your morning coffee, these cookies invite you to slow down and savor the moment. You’ll be surprised at how just a handful of humble ingredients transform into something so memorable, making this a recipe worth coming back to again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Butter Cookies lies in their simplicity—every ingredient has a purpose, contributing to that signature taste and melt-in-your-mouth feel. Use the best you can get, because with so few components, each one shines!
- Unsalted butter: The star of the show! Make sure it’s softened for easy mixing; this provides the rich, creamy flavor and tender texture we all love.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies while also helping with that light, crisp snap at the edges.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and adds a touch of richness to the dough.
- Vanilla extract: Boosts the aroma and rounds out the flavor, giving the cookies their classic warmth.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your dough, providing structure so the cookies hold their shape beautifully.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the other flavors and keeps things from tasting flat.
How to Make Butter Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step ensures your Butter Cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, making cleanup a breeze. Getting organized from the start makes the whole process so much smoother!
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. You’ll want to beat until the mixture is pale, smooth, and a little fluffy—about 2-3 minutes. This is key for producing those airy, tender cookies, so don’t rush it!
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in your egg and vanilla extract next. The egg adds lift and chewiness, while the vanilla infuses the dough with that signature cookie-shop aroma. Mix until everything’s fully incorporated and silky-smooth.
Step 4: Incorporate the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add in your flour and salt, mixing on low speed or by hand until just combined. The dough will start to come together and pull away from the bowl—stop mixing as soon as there are no floury streaks. Overmixing here can toughen the cookies, so gentle is the name of the game.
Step 5: Shape Your Cookies
Decide if you’re piping or rolling! For those gorgeous bakery-style swirls, spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe onto your prepared sheet. Prefer cut-out shapes? Chill the dough for about 30 minutes, then roll it out and cut into whatever designs make you smile.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pop your trays in the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cookie edges are just turning lightly golden. Resist overbaking—Butter Cookies are at their best when they’re delicately colored and tender throughout. Once done, let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Butter Cookies
Garnishes
A little flourish goes a long way! Once your Butter Cookies have cooled, you can dip an edge or half in melted chocolate, then sprinkle with chopped nuts or festive sprinkles. Or, try a simple dusting of powdered sugar for a snowy effect—it’s classic, pretty, and a little indulgent.
Side Dishes
While Butter Cookies are delightful solo, they’re also wonderful alongside a cup of coffee, strong black tea, or even a tall glass of cold milk. For special occasions, serve them with fruit compote or a dish of vanilla ice cream—the combo is pure joy.
Creative Ways to Present
Channel your inner host: stack the cookies in glass jars tied with a ribbon for gifting, or pile them high on a vintage platter for afternoon tea. Get playful by packing an assortment of piped shapes and sizes for cookie boxes. Butter Cookies are endlessly dressy or casual, depending on your mood!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any extra Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to a week. They make an easy grab-and-go snack—so don’t be surprised if they disappear faster than you expect!
Freezing
Both the baked cookies and the unbaked dough freeze well. For dough, wrap tightly in plastic and freeze for up to three months; thaw in the fridge before shaping. Baked cookies can also be frozen—with sheets of parchment between layers—then thawed at room temp for instant homemade treats.
Reheating
To refresh cookies that have lost a bit of crispness, pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 3-5 minutes. They’ll emerge as if freshly baked, warm and fragrant, ready to enjoy all over again.
FAQs
Why do I have to use unsalted butter?
Unsalted butter allows you to control the exact amount of salt in your recipe, ensuring the flavor of your Butter Cookies is perfectly balanced. Salted butter can also vary in salt content from brand to brand, which could make your cookies taste different each time.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to two days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Allow it to come to room temperature for easier piping or rolling before baking.
How do I make the cookies extra crispy?
For a crisper cookie, simply bake your Butter Cookies a minute or two longer—just until the edges are deeper golden. Also, rolling the dough thinner will give you that satisfying snap when you bite in!
Can I add flavors or mix-ins?
Definitely! While classic Butter Cookies are hard to beat, you can experiment with lemon zest, almond extract, or a handful of mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts for a twist on tradition.
Do Butter Cookies spread while baking?
They spread only slightly if shaped correctly; piping creates definition while rolling and cutting gives sharp edges. Make sure not to over-soften the butter or crowd the baking sheet, and you’ll get beautifully shaped cookies every time.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly something magical about pulling a tray of buttery, golden cookies from the oven—it never gets old. Give these Butter Cookies a try, and you just might find they become your new go-to treat for every occasion. I can’t wait for you to experience the pure joy of their simplicity and flavor!
Print
Butter Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These classic butter cookies are a must-have for any baking repertoire. With a rich buttery flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, they are perfect for holiday treats or anytime indulgence.
Ingredients
Butter Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Mix in Flour: Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing just until a soft dough forms.
- Shape Cookies: Pipe swirls or preferred shapes onto the prepared baking sheet or roll and cut into shapes.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool on sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a festive touch, dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate or sprinkle with colored sugar before baking.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Danish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
