These classic butter cookies are rich, melt-in-your-mouth treats with a perfect balance of buttery flavor and vanilla sweetness. They are simple to make and deliver a light, crisp texture that pairs beautifully with a cup of tea or coffee. The aroma of freshly baked cookies will fill your kitchen, making them an ideal homemade treat for any time of the day. Whether you're looking for a quick snack or a dessert to share, these cookies are sure to impress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe: You’ll love these butter cookies because they are incredibly easy to prepare with basic ingredients, yet the result is rich and flavorful. The dough comes together quickly, and the cookies bake to a beautiful golden perfection. Their buttery taste, combined with the hint of vanilla, makes them hard to resist. They’re perfect for anyone who loves simple, classic cookies that deliver maximum flavor.
Perfect Occasion: These butter cookies are ideal for any occasion—whether you're serving them at a family gathering, enjoying them with friends over coffee, or treating yourself to a quiet moment of indulgence. They also make great homemade gifts during the holidays or for special events. With their light, crisp texture and timeless flavor, these cookies are a hit any time of year.
Decoration Tips: For a decorative touch, you can dip the cookies in melted chocolate or drizzle them with a chocolate glaze. You can also roll the dough into different shapes or use cookie cutters for a more festive presentation. Dusting the cookies with powdered sugar after they cool gives them a classic, elegant look.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 egg yolks
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cold, from the fridge)
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Separate the eggs: Start by separating the egg yolks from the egg whites. Set the whites aside for another use.
- Mix sugar and egg yolks: In a bowl, combine the sugar with the egg yolks and whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes smooth and pale.
- Add the butter: Gradually add the cold butter, straight from the fridge, to the egg mixture. Mix until well combined and smooth.
- Combine with dry ingredients: Add the flour, salt, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Knead the dough until it forms a smooth, cohesive ball. If needed, add a bit more flour to achieve the right consistency.
- Chill the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up.
- Shape the cookies: After the dough has chilled, roll it out and cut into your desired shapes, or simply roll it into balls and flatten with your hands.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the shaped cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes. The cookies are ready when the edges turn a light golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Note:
- Bake using the bottom rack only; avoid over-browning the tops as it will make the cookies too hard.
Enjoy these simple and delicious butter cookies, perfect for any time you crave a homemade treat!