French Butter Cookies Recipe

Introduction

French Butter Cookies are delicate, buttery treats with a crisp texture and subtle sweetness. These classic cookies are easy to make and perfect for enjoying with tea or coffee. With a simple ingredient list, you can bake a batch of irresistible cookies right at home.

Ingredients

• 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, sifted
• ¼ cup granulated sugar (for coating before baking)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cream the butter and powdered sugar. Use a spatula to mix them until the mixture turns pale in color and light in texture.
2. Step 2: Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
3. Step 3: Sift the flour and gradually add it to the mixture. Stir to form a soft dough.
4. Step 4: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
5. Step 5: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and divide it into two pieces.
6. Step 6: Roll each piece into a log shape about 4 inches (10 cm) long and 1 inch (3 cm) in diameter.
7. Step 7: Wrap each log separately in plastic wrap and freeze for 45 minutes.
8. Step 8: Preheat the oven to 356°F (180°C) or 160°C for fan ovens. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
9. Step 9: Remove the dough logs from the freezer and unwrap them.
10. Step 10: Spread the ¼ cup granulated sugar on a tray or plate and roll each dough log in the sugar to coat evenly.
11. Step 11: Slice each log into 3/8 inch (1 cm) thick pieces and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet.
12. Step 12: Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the cookies turn golden.
13. Step 13: Remove from the oven and leave the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up and crisp.
14. Step 14: Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack once they are firm and crisp enough.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, try using European-style butter with higher fat content.
• Adding a pinch of salt can enhance the sweetness and balance flavors.
• Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with cake flour for a softer texture.
• Roll the cookie slices in cinnamon sugar instead of plain sugar for a warm twist.

Storage

Store the fully cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them crisp, avoid storing in humid environments. If desired, reheat gently in a low oven for a few minutes to restore crispness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit any added salt in the recipe to avoid the cookies becoming too salty.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

They should be golden around the edges and slightly soft in the center when taken out of the oven. They will firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.

French Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 58 reviews

French Butter Cookies are delicate, melt-in-your-mouth treats made with rich butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. These tender cookies are rolled in granulated sugar before baking to add a subtle crunch and sweet coating. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, they are perfect for an elegant tea time snack or a homemade gift.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

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

Coating

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Instructions

1. Cream Butter and Sugar: Use a spatula to mix the softened butter and sifted powdered sugar until the mixture turns pale in color and light in texture.
2. Add Egg Yolk and Vanilla: Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined.
3. Sift and Incorporate Flour: Sift the flour into the butter mixture and mix gently to form a soft dough.
4. Chill Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes to firm up.
5. Divide and Shape Dough: Remove chilled dough and divide it into two pieces. Roll each piece into a log about 4 inches (10 cm) long and 1 inch (3 cm) in diameter.
6. Freeze Logs: Wrap each log separately in plastic wrap and freeze for 45 minutes to make slicing easier.
7. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 356°F (180°C), or 160°C if using a fan oven.
8. Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
9. Coat Logs in Sugar: Remove the frozen logs from the freezer and unwrap them. Sprinkle ¼ cup granulated sugar on a tray or plate, then roll each log in the sugar to coat evenly.
10. Slice Dough: Cut each rolled log into slices approximately 3/8 inch (1 cm) thick and arrange them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
11. Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes until they turn golden brown.
12. Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and leave them on the baking sheet for 5 minutes; they will be soft initially but will crisp as they cool.
13. Transfer and Store: After 5 minutes, transfer the cookies to a cooling rack until completely cool. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Use room temperature butter for easy creaming and better texture.
• Sifting powdered sugar and flour helps avoid lumps and creates a smoother dough.
• Chilling and freezing the dough logs make slicing neat, even cookies easier.
• You can substitute cake flour for all-purpose flour for a lighter texture.
• Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crispness.

Keywords: French butter cookies, butter cookies, easy cookie recipe, homemade cookies, classic cookies, sugar-coated cookies