Homemade Butter Cookies: 5-Step Delicious, Easy Recipe

1. Why You’ll Love This Recipe
2. Ingrédients
3. How to Make Homemade Butter Cookies: A 5-Step Guide
4. Tips for the Best Homemade Butter Cookies
5. Butter Cookie Variations: Spice It Up!
6. Serving Your Delicious Cookies

There’s a special kind of magic in the aroma of freshly baked cookies, and nothing captures that magic quite like this recipe for homemade butter cookies. These aren’t just any cookies; they are melt-in-your-mouth tender, rich with buttery flavor, and incredibly simple to make. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, this guide will walk you through creating the most delightful and impressive treats right in your own kitchen.

This easy cookie recipe is perfect for any occasion, from a quiet afternoon with a cup of tea to a festive holiday platter. The dough is wonderfully versatile, making it a fantastic base for all sorts of creative decorating. Get ready to fall in love with your new go-to dessert recipe!

1. Why You’ll Love This Homemade Butter Cookies Recipe

What makes this particular recipe stand out? It’s all about simplicity and pure, unadulterated flavor. We use minimal, high-quality ingredients to let the star of the show—the butter—truly shine. You don’t need any special equipment, just a bowl and a mixer (or a wooden spoon and some elbow grease!).

These cookies have the perfect texture: crisp, golden edges that give way to a soft, tender center. They are sturdy enough for decorating but delicate enough to feel like a truly special treat. This is the kind of baking recipe that creates memories. See others recipes here .

2. Ingrédients

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You likely have most, if not all, of these ingredients in your pantry right now. For the best flavor, using high-quality butter is key. To understand more about how different types of butter affect baking, check out this excellent guide from King Arthur Baking.

Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (226g), softened to room temperature. This is crucial for a smooth, creamy dough.
Granulated Sugar: 2/3 cup (133g). Provides sweetness and helps create that tender texture.
Large Egg: 1, at room temperature. This acts as a binder for the dough.
Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons. Use pure vanilla extract for the best, richest flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: 2 ½ cups (300g), spooned and leveled.
Salt: ¼ teaspoon. Balances the sweetness and enhances the butter flavor.
Optional: Coarse sanding sugar for sprinkling on top before baking.

3. How to Make Homemade Butter Cookies: A 5-Step Guide

Follow these five simple steps to achieve perfectly baked, delicious homemade butter cookies every single time. The process is straightforward and rewarding!

3.1. Step 1: Creaming Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed. Continue for about 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy. This step incorporates air, which is essential for a light cookie texture.

3.2. Step 2: Adding the Egg and Vanilla

Add the room temperature egg and pure vanilla extract to the creamed butter mixture. Beat on medium speed until everything is fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure all ingredients are incorporated evenly.

3.3. Step 3: Incorporating the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies.

3.4. Step 4: Shaping and Chilling the Dough

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a disk. You can either roll it out and use cookie cutters or form it into a log to slice later. For a classic look, use a cookie press. Once shaped, it is very important to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven and deepens the flavor.

3.5. Step 5: Baking to Golden Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the chilled, shaped cookies about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. If desired, sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Tips for the Best Homemade Butter Cookies

Want to elevate your cookie game? Here are a few professional tips to ensure your homemade butter cookies are absolutely perfect.

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened butter and a room temperature egg will emulsify better, creating a smoother, more uniform dough.
Don’t Skip the Chill Time: Chilling the dough is a non-negotiable step. It solidifies the fat, which means your cookies will hold their shape beautifully instead of spreading into thin crisps.
Measure Flour Correctly: Instead of scooping flour directly from the bag, use a spoon to fluff it up and then spoon it into your measuring cup. Level it off with a straight edge. This prevents packing too much flour, which can make cookies dry.
Watch the Oven: Ovens can vary. Keep an eye on your cookies during the last few minutes of baking. You’re looking for just a hint of golden color on the edges for the perfect texture.

5. Butter Cookie Variations: Spice It Up!

This easy cookie recipe is a fantastic canvas for your creativity. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Citrus Zest: Add 1 tablespoon of finely grated lemon or orange zest to the butter and sugar mixture for a bright, fresh flavor.
Almond Flavor: Swap out 1 teaspoon of vanilla for ½ teaspoon of almond extract for a nutty, marzipan-like taste.
Chocolate Dipped: Once cooled, dip half of each cookie in melted dark, milk, or white chocolate. Add sprinkles for a festive touch!
Spiced Cookies: Add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon or cardamom to the dry ingredients for a warm, cozy flavor perfect for fall or Christmas cookies.

6. Serving Your Delicious Cookies

These delightful homemade butter cookies are perfect on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with other treats. Enjoy them with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk. They make a fantastic addition to any dessert table or holiday cookie exchange. You can also crumble them over ice cream for a decadent topping.

Foire Aux Questions

How do I store these homemade butter cookies?

To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you’ve decorated them with a simple icing, make sure it is fully set before storing. Avoid storing crisp cookies with soft cookies, as the moisture from the soft ones can make the crisp ones lose their texture.

Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time and freeze it?

Absolutely! This dough freezes beautifully. You can freeze it in a disk wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. Alternatively, you can shape the dough into a log, wrap it, and freeze. When you’re ready to bake, simply slice the log into cookies—no need to thaw completely, though you may need to add a minute or two to the baking time.

Why did my butter cookies spread too much?

The most common reason for cookies spreading too much is that the dough wasn’t chilled long enough. Chilling the dough solidifies the butter, which helps the cookies hold their shape while baking. Another reason could be that your butter was too soft—it should be at room temperature but not melty. Finally, make sure to use a cool baking sheet for each batch; a hot sheet will start melting the butter before the cookies even get into the oven.