Butter Cookies Recipe
Classic butter cookies with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. These buttery treats are piped into delicate shapes, chilled for firmness, and baked until the edges turn a perfect golden brown. Ideal for holiday baking or anytime you crave a simple, satisfying cookie.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Butter Cookie Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted butter, softened (use high-quality, name brand butter)
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 1 Large egg
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 2 cups All purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1–2 tablespoons Milk (any kind, as needed for consistency)
- Preheat the oven and prepare the baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Set aside this prepared sheet for later use.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl or using a stand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-low speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add egg and vanilla: Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Continue beating on medium-low speed until the batter is smooth and well combined.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the wet mixture. Mix only until the flour is fully incorporated to avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough.
- Adjust consistency with milk: Add milk one tablespoon at a time, just enough to achieve a piping consistency that holds shape but flows smoothly. You may need either 1 or 2 tablespoons depending on your flour and butter.
- Pipe the cookies: Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe small circles onto the prepared baking sheet. For a festive touch, add sprinkles on top if desired.
- Chill the cookies: Place the baking sheets with piped dough into the refrigerator and chill for at least 20 to 30 minutes. This step helps cookies retain their shape during baking.
- Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn a light golden brown.
- Cool completely: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet or a wire rack before serving or storing.
Notes
- Using high-quality, unsalted butter greatly enhances the flavor of these cookies.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding flour to keep the cookies tender.
- Chilling the cookie shapes before baking is crucial to prevent spreading and maintain defined shapes.
- You can add sprinkles or other edible decorations before chilling for a festive look.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Keywords: butter cookies, classic cookies, piped cookies, easy cookie recipe, vanilla cookies, holiday baking