If classic, irresistible treats hold a special place in your heart, you’re in for a real delight. Butter Cookies feature a luscious melt-in-your-mouth crumb thanks to their high butter content, delivering pure, nostalgic comfort with every bite. Whether you enjoy them plain, dressed up in chocolate, or with playful sprinkles, this recipe is perfect for all occasions and guaranteed to bring a warm smile to your snack plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These Butter Cookies feature a beautifully short ingredient list, but every one is carefully chosen. Each component brings something essential: creamy richness from the butter, structure from the flour, flavor from the vanilla, and just a splash of milk to get the dough just right. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a few baker’s tips for cookie perfection:
- Flour (2 ¼ cups): The base that provides structure and ensures the signature tender bite.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Don’t skip it! Salt enhances the butter’s flavor and balances sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Absolutely essential for flavor and texture. Room temperature butter creams best and gives those cookies their dreamy, soft texture.
- Egg yolks (2, at room temperature): Only yolks here, which add richness and a beautiful golden color without making the dough too cakey.
- Sugar (¾ cup): Sweetens and helps the cookies develop just the right amount of delicate crispness on the outside.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Rounds out the flavor and adds that classic, warm cookie aroma we all crave.
- Milk (1-2 Tablespoons): Adjustable, just enough to make the dough pipeable—add slowly to reach the perfect consistency.
- Optional: Chocolate melting wafers & sprinkles: These are for dipping and decorating, adding a festive or indulgent twist.
How to Make Butter Cookies feature
Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking your flour and salt together in a medium bowl. This quick step ensures the salt is evenly distributed, so every Butter Cookies feature batch has balanced flavor with no salty surprises.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a separate mixing bowl, beat together your softened unsalted butter and sugar. Keep mixing until it looks light and fluffy—the more air you beat in now, the more tender your Butter Cookies feature will be later. This foundational step gives each cookie that classic, delicate texture.
Step 3: Incorporate Egg Yolks
Add in your egg yolks and blend thoroughly, scraping down the bowl’s sides as needed. Egg yolks alone keep things extra-rich but also make the dough more pliable for piping—key for those beautiful swirls that Butter Cookies feature.
Step 4: Blend in Vanilla Extract
Add vanilla extract and beat until just combined. This is the magic moment when the dough starts smelling like the holidays, wrapping your kitchen in a hug!
Step 5: Add Flour Mixture Gradually
Mix in the flour mixture in thirds, blending thoroughly and scraping down the bowl in between additions. Work gently—it’s important to mix until just combined so your Butter Cookies feature remain supremely tender. There should be no streaks of flour remaining.
Step 6: Adjust Dough Consistency
Check the consistency. The dough should be thick, but pipeable. If it feels too stiff, return the dough to the bowl, add a tablespoon of milk, and mix again until it pipes smoothly. This is the secret for perfectly shaped Butter Cookies feature swirls.
Step 7: Pipe and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Fill a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (double-bagging helps avoid breakage) and pipe 1½–2 inch swirls on parchment-lined baking sheets, about two inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are just turning golden brown—keep an eye on them for that perfect finish!
Step 8: Cool and Decorate
Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the tray for five minutes before moving them to a wire rack. If you’re adding the optional chocolate dip, gently melt chocolate wafers in the microwave and dip the cooled cookies, letting any excess drip off before topping with festive sprinkles. Allow the chocolate to set completely before serving for the most beautiful batch of Butter Cookies feature.
How to Serve Butter Cookies feature
Garnishes
Butter Cookies feature endless possibilities when it comes to garnishes. For a show-stopper, dip them halfway in dark or white chocolate, then add a sprinkle of crushed pistachios or colorful confetti sprinkles. Even a dusting of powdered sugar on their own is pure delight and gives them a bakery-style look.
Side Dishes
Serve a plate of Butter Cookies feature alongside a pot of freshly brewed tea, coffee, or hot chocolate for an afternoon treat. For a richer dessert experience, pair them with vanilla bean ice cream or a bowl of berries to complement those buttery notes.
Creative Ways to Present
Make dessert extra special by arranging Butter Cookies feature in gift tins lined with parchment, perfect for sharing during the holidays or special occasions. Try stacking them into cookie towers, sandwiching with buttercream or jam, or creating a cookie tray with other classic favorites for a festive display.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, Butter Cookies feature keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Layer them gently with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain that crisp-tender texture.
Freezing
You can freeze both the baked cookies and the unbaked dough. For cookies, freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a zip-top bag once solid. The dough can be piped onto trays and frozen before baking—just store the frozen shapes in a sealed container and bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time as needed.
Reheating
If your Butter Cookies feature have been stored for a while and lost their snap, pop them on a baking sheet and warm briefly in a 300-degree oven for 2–3 minutes. They’ll taste freshly baked and regain that delightful texture.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Absolutely! Just reduce the added salt in the recipe by half to keep your Butter Cookies feature balanced in flavor.
How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Try using a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Your Butter Cookies feature will still be rich and tender, though the texture may be slightly different—worth experimenting!
Why did my dough come out too stiff?
This can happen if your flour is packed too firmly or if the butter isn’t soft enough. Add milk gradually until your Butter Cookies feature dough is smooth and pipeable; don’t hesitate to adjust as needed.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to two days, or pipe the cookies and freeze them to bake off later. Chilled dough even helps the Butter Cookies feature hold their shape a little better when baked.
What’s the best way to store decorated cookies?
Once the chocolate or icing is completely set, layer your Butter Cookies feature between sheets of parchment in an airtight container. Store in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight for best results.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about the way Butter Cookies feature bring together so many happy memories in every crumb. Whether you enjoy them solo with your coffee or share them with friends and family, I can’t wait for you to bake up a batch and discover why this simple classic has stood the test of time. Happy baking!
PrintButter Cookies feature Recipe
These Butter Cookies are a delightful treat with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a rich buttery flavor. Perfect for any occasion, you can enjoy them plain or elevate them by dipping in chocolate and adding colorful sprinkles.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 36 to 48 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
Optional:
- Chocolate melting wafers
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine flour and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Incorporate Eggs and Flavor: Add egg yolks and mix well. Then, add vanilla extract and combine.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the flour mixture to the batter, mixing thoroughly each time.
- Prepare Dough: Mix until just combined, ensuring there are no visible flour streaks.
- Shape and Bake: Pipe dough onto a baking pan and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden.
- Optional Chocolate Dip: Melt chocolate wafers, dip cooled cookies, add sprinkles, and let dry on a rack.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 94 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 34mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.3g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 24mg
