Butter Cookies Recipe

Buttery, crumbly, and gleaming with just a touch of golden color, Butter Cookies are the sort of classic treat that instantly transport you to childhood kitchens and happy holiday memories. They’re delightfully simple, yet somehow taste like much more than the sum of their parts. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just for a cozy afternoon nibble, these cookies bring both elegance and heartwarming comfort to the table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

With just a handful of humble pantry staples, you can create Butter Cookies that taste straight from a bakery! Each ingredient brings its own special magic, from richness and fragrance to that perfect, tender bite everyone loves.

• Butter: This is the soul of the cookie—choose a good-quality, unsalted butter for the richest flavor and dreamy, tender texture.
• Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness and a gentle, melt-in-your-mouth crumb that granulated sugar just can’t replicate.
• Vanilla bean or extract: Seeds scraped from a vanilla bean give incredible aroma, but vanilla extract will also do the trick and deepen the flavor.
• Egg: The binding power behind your dough—room temperature is best for a smooth, cohesive texture.
• All-purpose flour: The foundation that holds everything together, giving Butter Cookies their classic shape and light bite.

How to Make Butter Cookies

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by beating your softened butter with the powdered sugar in a mixing bowl. Let it whip up until the mixture turns fluffy and pale—this is what creates those signature airy, delicate cookies. Invest a little patience here; the more air you whip in, the lighter your Butter Cookies will be!

Step 2: Add Vanilla and Egg

Once the butter and sugar mixture is creamy, add the seeds from half a vanilla bean—or a splash of vanilla extract—alongside one large egg. Mix just until the batter becomes smooth and homogenous, infusing the dough with wonderful vanilla fragrance and lending extra richness.

Step 3: Incorporate the Flour

Next, sprinkle in the all-purpose flour bit by bit. Use a spatula or a mixer on low speed to gently combine. Take care not to overwork the dough—it should be soft and pliable, not tough. This step is where the transformation happens and all those simple ingredients come together to form your Butter Cookies dough.

Step 4: Shape the Cookies

Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped tip for those classic, swirled Butter Cookies. Don’t have a piping bag? No worries—just roll the dough into small balls and flatten them gently with your fingers or use cookie cutters for playful shapes.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Arrange your cookies on a baking tray and pop them into the fridge for about 20 minutes. This helps the cookies keep their beautiful shape in the oven and gives you perfectly crisp edges with every bite.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide your tray into a preheated 355°F (180°C) oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Watch closely—the edges should be just turning golden, but the centers remain pale. These few minutes decide whether your Butter Cookies will be tender or tough, so don’t wander too far!

Step 7: Cool Completely

Give your cookies time to cool fully on a wire rack before tasting. Straight from the oven, they’ll be a bit fragile, but patience rewards you with that signature snap and the most captivating aroma wafting through your kitchen.

How to Serve Butter Cookies

Garnishes

To make each Butter Cookie really shine, sprinkle them with a touch of extra powdered sugar right before serving or drizzle a little dark chocolate for a fancy finish. Even simple decorations like a candied cherry half or a dusting of edible glitter turn these cookies into festive showstoppers!

Side Dishes

Butter Cookies pair beautifully with a cup of tea, a creamy latte, or even a tall glass of cold milk. For a more decadent pairing, consider setting them alongside a bowl of fresh berries, fruit compote, or a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re gifting or entertaining, stack the cookies in a tall jar with a ribbon, box them in pretty parchment, or arrange in layers for a cookie tower centerpiece. They also make adorable place cards at dinner parties—write names in chocolate or icing and let guests nibble their way into dessert!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Butter Cookies keep best in an airtight tin or sealed container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and crisp for up to a week—just make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight and away from moisture, so they maintain their perfect texture.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy Butter Cookies beyond the first week, freezing is a fantastic option. Cool baked cookies completely, layer them with parchment in a freezer container, and freeze for up to three months. You can also freeze unbaked shaped dough, so homemade cookies are just minutes away whenever the craving hits.

Reheating

Bringing Butter Cookies back to life is as easy as a few minutes in a low oven (about 300°F/150°C). Spread them out on a tray and warm for 3 to 5 minutes—this crisps them up and revives their freshly-baked taste. Let them cool slightly before enjoying.

FAQs

Why did my Butter Cookies turn out tough instead of tender?

Over-mixing can develop gluten in the dough, which makes Butter Cookies chewier than they should be. Mix the flour in gently and only until combined—the dough should stay soft and light.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can use salted butter in a pinch! Just skip any added salt the recipe might call for and know that the flavor will be just a bit saltier, which some people love for contrast.

What is the best way to pipe the dough if I don’t have a piping bag?

If you don’t own a piping bag, try using a sturdy plastic storage bag with the tip cut off or simply roll the dough into small balls and shape as you like. The cookies will taste just as delicious regardless of their shape.

Can I add other flavors to these Butter Cookies?

Absolutely! Citrus zest, almond extract, or a sprinkle of cinnamon blend beautifully into the dough. Get creative with your favorite flavorings, but keep the proportions the same for best results.

How can I make these gluten-free?

You can substitute a high-quality, cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Expect the texture to be a bit more delicate, but the rich, buttery flavor shines through just the same.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as baking a batch of Butter Cookies from scratch and sharing them with people you love. Whether you’re an old hand in the kitchen or trying these for the first time, I hope this recipe brings joy, warmth, and the irresistible aroma of freshly baked cookies into your home.

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