Description
These classic Butter Cookies are buttery, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Made with simple ingredients like unsalted butter, sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla extract, they are piped or shaped into beautiful swirls and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for festive occasions or an everyday treat, these cookies offer a rich, sweet flavor with a delicate crumb that pairs wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- â…” cup (133 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 2-3 tbsp whole milk, room temperature
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for your cookie dough.
- Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg yolks and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined to give the dough a rich flavor and smooth texture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and kosher salt while mixing on low speed, ensuring all dry ingredients are just blended into the dough without overmixing.
- Adjust Dough Consistency: If the dough feels too stiff, slowly add whole milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough becomes pliable but remains slightly sticky, perfect for piping or shaping.
- Prepare Baking Sheet and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a piping bag fitted with a star tip, pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheet in your desired shapes such as swirls or rosettes. Alternatively, scoop tablespoon-sized portions and lightly press them to flatten if no piping bag is available.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn a light golden color, indicating doneness.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they maintain their shape and texture.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature ingredients to ensure even mixing and a smooth dough.
- If you want crispier cookies, bake for an extra 1-2 minutes, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- You can substitute whole milk with half-and-half for a richer dough if desired.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- These cookies can also be decorated with icing or dipped in chocolate after cooling for an extra special treat.
