There’s something truly special about the simplicity of butter cookies. They’re crisp on the edges, melt-in-your-mouth tender, and packed with that rich, buttery flavor that keeps you coming back for more. Whether you’re making them for a holiday treat, an afternoon snack, or just because you deserve something sweet, these cookies are a game-changer. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll never go back to store-bought again!
Why You’ll Love Perfect Butter Cookies
Versatile These cookies are perfect for any occasion! Serve them with coffee, pack them in lunchboxes, or gift them during the holidays.
Budget-Friendly Made with just a few pantry staples—no fancy ingredients required!
Quick and Easy No complicated steps, no chilling time, just mix, shape, and bake. You’ll have warm, buttery cookies in no time.
Customizable Add a sprinkle of sugar on top, dip them in chocolate, or shape them however you like—these cookies can be made just the way you love them.
Crowd-Pleasing Buttery, slightly crisp, and perfectly sweet—everyone from kids to grandparents will adore these cookies.
Ingredients
Ingredients in Perfect Butter Cookies
These cookies are made with simple ingredients, but each one plays a crucial role in creating that perfect texture and flavor.
Butter The heart of this recipe! Use high-quality unsalted butter for the best taste and texture. It gives these cookies their rich, melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
Sugar Granulated sugar adds just the right amount of sweetness and helps create a slight crispness on the edges.
Egg Adds structure and helps bind everything together while keeping the cookies soft and tender.
Flour All-purpose flour works best, giving the cookies their classic, delicate texture.
Vanilla Extract A touch of vanilla enhances the buttery flavor, making these cookies even more irresistible.
Salt Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and bring out the rich flavors.
(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create this flavorful masterpiece:
Preheat Your Equipment Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Cream the Butter and Sugar In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is key to getting that perfect texture, so don’t rush it!
Add the Egg and Vanilla Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. This adds moisture and flavor to the dough.
Incorporate the Dry Ingredients Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
Shape the Cookies Roll the dough into small balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. For a classic look, gently press each cookie with a fork to create a crisscross pattern.
Bake to Perfection Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just lightly golden. The centers may look slightly soft, but they’ll firm up as they cool.
Cool and Enjoy Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Then, grab one (or two!) and enjoy their buttery goodness.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories per serving: Approx. 120 calories per cookie
(Note: These are estimates and can vary based on ingredient brands.)
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Total Time: 20-22 minutes
How to Serve Perfect Butter Cookies
These cookies are delightful on their own, but here are a few ways to enjoy them even more:
- With Tea or Coffee The perfect companion to your morning or afternoon drink.
- Dipped in Chocolate Melt some chocolate and dip half of each cookie for an extra indulgent treat.
- With Ice Cream Crumble them over vanilla ice cream for a delicious crunch.
- Holiday Style Dust them with powdered sugar or decorate with sprinkles for a festive touch.
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:
- Use Room Temperature Butter It should be soft but not melted for the best creaming consistency.
- Don’t Overmix Overworking the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until everything is combined.
- For Extra Flavor Add a pinch of cinnamon or almond extract for a fun twist.
- Make Them Fancy Pipe the dough using a star tip for bakery-style butter cookies.
- Storage Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
FAQ’s
1. Can I use salted butter? Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty cookies.
2. Can I freeze the dough? Absolutely! Shape the dough into a log, wrap it in plastic, and freeze. Slice and bake whenever you’re ready.
3. Can I make these without eggs? Yes! Replace the egg with 2 tablespoons of milk or a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water).
4. How do I make them crispier? Bake them a minute or two longer for extra crunch.
5. Can I add chocolate chips or nuts? Yes! Mix in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even dried fruit for a twist.
6. Why are my cookies too soft? They might need more baking time or a little extra flour. Make sure your butter isn’t too soft.
7. How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much? Chill the dough for 15 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape.
8. Can I use a cookie press for these? Yes! This dough works great for pressed butter cookies—just make sure it’s not too soft.
9. How long do these cookies stay fresh? About a week in an airtight container, but they’re best within the first few days.
10. Can I gift these cookies? Definitely! Package them in a cute tin or wrap them in parchment paper with a ribbon for a lovely homemade gift.
Conclusion
These Perfect Butter Cookies are everything you want in a classic cookie—rich, buttery, slightly crisp, and totally irresistible. Whether you enjoy them plain, dipped in chocolate, or with a warm cup of tea, they’re sure to become a favorite in your home. Bake a batch today and taste the magic for yourself!
Print
Perfect Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus at least 1 hour for chilling)
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes per batch
- Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: About 24 cookies (depending on the size of your cookie cutters) 1x
- Category: Dessert / Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American / European
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightfully crisp on the edges and tender in the center, these classic butter cookies are perfect for any occasion. Enjoy them with tea, coffee, or as a sweet treat any time of day.
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 1/4 cups
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (softened)
- Granulated Sugar: 3/4 cup
- Egg: 1 large
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Mix Egg & Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Chill Dough: Form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This step helps firm the dough, making it easier to roll out and cut.
- Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra crisp cookies, you can bake for an additional minute, but be cautious not to overbake as they can become too hard.
- Ensure that the butter is soft (room temperature) for proper creaming.
- The chilled dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it convenient to bake in batches.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg