Print

French Butter Cookies Recipe

French Butter Cookies Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 19 reviews

These French Butter Cookies are crisp, buttery, and slightly sweet treats perfect for any occasion. Made with simple ingredients like butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla, the dough is chilled and sliced into perfect rounds before baking to a golden finish. Their delicate texture and classic flavor make them an irresistible snack or dessert accompaniment.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • ½ cup butter, softened to room temperature
  • ½ cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose or cake flour

For Coating

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Cream the Butter and Sugar: Use a spatula to mix the softened butter and sifted powdered sugar together until the mixture becomes pale in color and light in texture, ensuring a smooth, creamy base for the cookies.
  2. Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract thoroughly until fully combined, which adds richness and flavor to the dough.
  3. Sift and Incorporate Flour: Sift the all-purpose or cake flour, then gradually add it to the wet ingredients, mixing gently until a soft dough forms without overworking it.
  4. Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes to firm up and make it easier to handle.
  5. Divide and Shape the Dough: Remove from the refrigerator and divide the dough into two equal parts. Roll each piece into a log approximately 4 inches (10 cm) long and 1 inch (3 cm) in diameter.
  6. Freeze the Dough Logs: Wrap each log separately in plastic wrap and place them in the freezer for 45 minutes so they become firm for slicing.
  7. Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat oven to 356°F (180°C) – use 160°C if using a fan oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
  8. Coat the Dough Logs with Sugar: Remove the logs from the freezer and unwrap. Sprinkle the granulated sugar on a plate and roll each log evenly in the sugar to coat the surface.
  9. Slice the Logs: Cut each sugar-coated log into slices about 3/8 inch (1 cm) thick. Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly to allow for gentle spreading.
  10. Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes until the cookies turn golden around the edges, indicating they are crisp and perfectly done.
  11. Cool the Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes; they will be soft initially but will crisp up as they cool.
  12. Transfer and Store: After the cookies have firmed up on the sheet, transfer them to a cooling rack. Once completely cool, store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Use unsalted butter softened to room temperature for best creaming results and better control over salt levels in the cookies.
  • Sifting powdered sugar helps prevent lumps and ensures a smooth dough texture.
  • Chilling the dough before shaping helps the cookies maintain their shape and improves texture.
  • Rolling the dough into logs and freezing makes slicing easier and yields uniform cookies.
  • Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing to keep them crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: French butter cookies, butter cookies recipe, easy French cookies, crunchy butter cookies, homemade cookies, classic French dessert

Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/french-butter-cookies-recipe/