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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

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