Homemade Butter Cookies Recipe: Golden, Melt-in-Your-Mouth Joy

Crisp, buttery, and utterly irresistible, these classic butter cookies blend simplicity with pure deliciousness.

The homemade butter cookies recipe brings together just a few pantry staples to create magic in every bite.

Each golden, delicate cookie melts in your mouth with rich, creamy goodness.

Generations of home bakers have cherished this timeless treat that speaks of comfort and warmth.

The delicate edges and tender crumb make these cookies perfect for afternoon tea or a sweet afternoon snack.

With minimal ingredients and straightforward technique, you can master this delightful recipe in no time.

Treat yourself and your loved ones to these heavenly morsels that promise pure baking joy.

Butter Cookies: Timeless Treats

• These butter cookies offer an incredibly straightforward baking experience with minimal ingredients and basic kitchen tools, making them perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Roll the dough in sugar, sprinkle with decorative toppings, or experiment with different extracts to personalize these classic cookies and match your taste preferences.
• Prepare the dough logs in advance, store them in the refrigerator, and slice-and-bake whenever you crave a sweet treat, offering maximum flexibility for busy home bakers.
• With their rich buttery flavor and delicate texture, these cookies are universally loved, making them an excellent choice for family gatherings, potlucks, or casual dessert moments.

Classic Butter Cookie Ingredient List

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and tender texture to the cookies.

• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp, golden cookie texture.

• Large Egg: Helps bind the ingredients together and adds structure to the cookie dough.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, aromatic notes.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the primary structure of the butter cookies and provides a soft, delicate crumb.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.

• Granulated Sugar: Adds extra sweetness and a sparkling finish to the cookie edges.

Tools for Perfect Butter Cookie Batches

• Mixing Bowl: Large bowl for creaming butter and sugar, and combining ingredients.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Essential for beating butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla until fluffy.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise tools for measuring sugar, flour, and vanilla extract.
• Separate Mixing Bowl: Second bowl for whisking dry ingredients.
• Plastic Wrap: Used to wrap and chill dough logs.
• Baking Sheets: Flat pans for baking cookies.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and crisp up.
• Sharp Knife: For slicing chilled dough into even rounds.
• Airtight Container: For storing cooled cookies.

Butter Cookie Baking Steps

Step 1: Whip Butter And Sugar

In a spacious mixing bowl, transform softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar into a fluffy, creamy mixture by beating them together until they become light and airy.

Step 2: Introduce Egg And Vanilla

Gently fold in the large egg and pure vanilla extract into the butter-sugar blend.

Blend thoroughly until all ingredients harmonize smoothly.

Step 3: Prepare Dry Ingredients

Take a separate bowl and whisk flour and salt together, creating a delicate, uniform powder mixture.

Step 4: Create Cookie Dough

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently to form a soft, tender dough.

Mix carefully to avoid overmixing.

Step 5: Form Dough Logs

Divide the dough into two equal portions and carefully shape each section into a smooth cylindrical log, approximately 2 inches wide.

Step 6: Chill Dough

Encase each dough log in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator.

Allow the dough to rest and firm up for at least one hour.

Step 7: Warm The Oven

Set the oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for perfect cookie preparation.

Step 8: Optional Sugar Coating

If desired, roll the chilled dough logs in additional granulated sugar for a sparkling, sweet exterior.

Step 9: Slice Cookies

Cut the dough logs into delicate rounds, approximately 1/4-inch thick.

Arrange these slices on prepared baking sheets with gentle spacing.

Step 10: Bake To Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden color.

Step 11: Cool And Rest

Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest on baking sheets briefly.

Transfer to wire cooling racks to reach room temperature.

Step 12: Store And Preserve

Once completely cooled, transfer cookies to an airtight container to maintain their delightful crispness and flavor.

Tips for Buttery Cookie Goodness

• Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to achieve the ideal fluffy texture without melting.
• Stop mixing as soon as dry ingredients are incorporated to keep cookies tender and prevent tough, dense results.
• Refrigerating dough helps cookies maintain shape and creates beautifully crisp, clean-cut edges during baking.
• Roll logs in sparkling or coarse sugar before slicing for extra crunch and a delightful decorative touch.
• Layer cookies between parchment paper in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to a week at room temperature.

Butter Cookie Variations for Every Taste

• Gluten-Free Butter Cookies: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
• Chocolate Chip Butter Cookies: Fold in mini chocolate chips into the dough before chilling for a classic sweet upgrade.
• Lemon Butter Cookies: Add fresh lemon zest and replace vanilla extract with lemon extract for a bright, citrusy flavor profile.
• Coconut Butter Cookies: Mix shredded coconut into the dough and roll cookies in toasted coconut flakes before baking for tropical touch.

Butter Cookie Serving Traditions

• Cookie Craving Companions: Pair these buttery delights with a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea for a classic afternoon treat.
• Sweet Sprinkle Magic: Dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle melted chocolate on top for an elegant finishing touch.
• Festive Gift Idea: Package these cookies in cute mason jars or decorative tins with ribbons for a homemade holiday present that feels personal and delicious.
• Dessert Plate Perfection: Serve alongside fresh berries or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream to create a simple yet impressive dessert platter.

Butter Cookie Storage Simplified

• Seal butter cookies in an airtight container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep fresh for up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing taste or texture.
• Store cookies in a sealed container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat. Maintain freshness for 5-6 days.
• Warm cookies briefly in a preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore crisp edges and soft center. Allow cookies to cool before serving.

FAQs

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

While you can use salted butter, it’s best to stick with unsalted butter to control the salt content. If using salted butter, reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe.

• How do I know if I've creamed the butter and sugar correctly?

The mixture should look light, fluffy, and pale in color. It should increase in volume and appear almost white, which takes about 3-4 minutes of mixing.

• What's the best way to slice the dough evenly?

Use a sharp knife and try to make consistent cuts around 1/4-inch thick. For more precise slices, you can use a ruler or rotate the log as you cut to maintain an even thickness.

Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Danish butter cookies deliver a nostalgic taste of Copenhagen’s sweet traditions. Simple ingredients create delicate, melt-in-mouth treats that connect you with classic European baking pleasures.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups (318 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Additional Ingredients:

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Additional granulated sugar for rolling (optional)

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously cream softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture transforms into a pale, airy consistency.
2. Incorporate the large egg and pure vanilla extract into the butter-sugar blend, whisking until thoroughly integrated and smooth.
3. Separately, sift together all-purpose flour and salt, ensuring a uniform dry ingredient mixture.
4. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, gently combining until a cohesive, soft dough emerges without overworking the texture.
5. Carefully partition the dough into two equal portions, meticulously shaping each into cylindrical logs approximately 2 inches in diameter.
6. Encase each log completely in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 60-90 minutes, allowing the dough to firm and develop robust flavor.
7. Position the oven rack in the center and heat to 350F (175C), simultaneously lining baking sheets with parchment paper.
8. Optional: Roll the chilled dough logs in additional granulated sugar for a sparkling, sweet exterior.
9. Using a sharp knife, slice the logs into delicate 1/4-inch rounds, positioning them evenly across prepared baking sheets with slight separation.
10. Bake for 10-12 minutes, monitoring until cookie edges acquire a delicate golden-brown hue.
11. Immediately transfer baking sheets from oven and permit cookies to rest briefly before relocating to wire cooling racks.
12. Once completely cooled, preserve cookies in an hermetic container to maintain their crisp, buttery texture.

Notes

• Softened butter ensures smooth mixing and prevents dense cookies, so let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting.
• Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing spreading and maintaining the cookies’ shape during baking, creating a more refined texture.
• Rolling the logs in sugar before slicing adds a delightful crispy exterior and extra sweetness to the classic butter cookie.
• For gluten-free adaptation, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 20 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg