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French Butter Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 52 reviews

French Butter Cookies are a classic, tender, and buttery treat perfect for baking at home. These delicate cookies combine rich unsalted butter with sugar and vanilla, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture that pairs wonderfully with tea or coffee. Easy to prepare with simple pantry ingredients, these cookies are sliced from a chilled dough log and baked until their edges are lightly golden.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ⅔ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • Pinch of salt

For Topping (Optional)

  • Extra sugar for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer or sturdy spoon to cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture in the cookies.
  2. Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract thoroughly to incorporate moisture and flavor into the dough.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt into the butter mixture, mixing gently until a soft dough forms without overworking it to maintain tenderness.
  4. Refrigerate Dough: Shape the dough into a log, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour. This chilling step firms the dough, making it easier to slice and helping the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
  5. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  6. Slice and Arrange Cookies: Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and slice it into ¼-inch thick rounds. Place the slices spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Optionally, sprinkle extra sugar on top of each cookie for added sweetness and a slight crunch.
  7. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes or until the edges turn a light golden brown, indicating they are perfectly baked but still tender inside.
  8. Cool and Serve: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage and helps the cookies set perfectly.

Notes

  • For best results, ensure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the ideal dough consistency.
  • Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep the cookies tender and crumbly.
  • Chilling the dough is essential; skipping this step may cause the cookies to spread too much during baking.
  • Sprinkling sugar on top before baking adds a subtle crunch and a touch of extra sweetness.
  • Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
  • These cookies can also be dipped in melted chocolate for a decadent variation.

Keywords: French butter cookies, butter cookies recipe, classic French cookies, easy baking, vanilla cookies, homemade cookies

Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/french-butter-cookies-recipe/