Easy Butter Cookies

These easy butter cookies are one of my top holiday traditions and my go-to bake when a craving for something delicate and melt-in-your-mouth strikes. Their crisp edges and buttery centers feel like a warm hug with every bite. If you want a treat that is simple yet full of old-fashioned charm these cookies deliver every time.

The first time I piped these for a winter party the compliments kept coming and people could not believe they were homemade. Now these cookies disappear so quickly I have to stash a few away to enjoy with my afternoon coffee.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: Use high quality real butter for rich flavor and that classic melt-in-the-mouth texture. Softened butter ensures the cookie dough blends perfectly and pipes beautifully
• Granulated sugar: Invest in superfine sugar if possible for even mixing. This gives cookies their light crispness
• Large egg yolk: Adds tenderness and color plus helps bind everything without making the dough cakey
• Vanilla extract: Real vanilla deepens the flavor. Choose pure extract over imitation for the best results
• Salt: Enhances the buttery notes and balances the sweetness. Use a fine sea salt for even distribution
• All purpose flour: Stick with unbleached flour for a delicate crumb. Spoon and level for accurate measuring
• Dark chocolate chips: Adds a hint of bittersweet contrast if you choose to dip the cookies. Use a chocolate you genuinely love to eat on its own
• Vegetable shortening: Just a small amount helps the chocolate melt silky smooth and set with a glossy finish

Instructions

Prepare the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit 190 degrees Celsius about 15 minutes before you want to bake. Starting with a fully heated oven ensures your cookies bake evenly and keep their shape

Cream the Butter and Sugar:

In a large bowl beat softened butter and sugar together until ultra creamy and fluffy about two to three minutes. This step builds the foundation for that tender bite so be patient and scrape the bowl as needed

Mix in Yolks and Flavorings:

Add the large egg yolk vanilla extract and salt to the butter mixture. Beat until the mixture is smooth and no streaks remain. This will make your dough rich and aromatic

Incorporate the Flour:

On low speed gradually add the flour by spoonfuls so it does not puff everywhere. Mix until just combined and a thick soft dough is formed. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies delicate

Pipe the Cookies:

Fill a sturdy piping bag fitted with a star tip with half the dough. Pipe classic swirls or rosettes onto an ungreased cookie sheet spacing them about an inch apart. Do not worry about perfection every one will look a little different

Bake to Perfection:

Bake for ten to twelve minutes until the edges are just starting to turn golden but the centers still look pale. If you want evenly colored cookies rotate the tray halfway through baking

Cool and Finish:

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for ten minutes. They will be too fragile right out of the oven but will firm up as they rest. After that move carefully to a wire rack until fully cooled

Optional Chocolate Dip:

If you want to add a chocolate finish melt the dark chocolate chips with a touch of vegetable shortening in short bursts in the microwave. Dip one half of each cooled cookie into the chocolate let any excess drip off then place on parchment so the coating can set

It is hard to pick a favorite ingredient but the real butter is essential I always splurge on the best brand I can find because that simple ingredient transforms these cookies into something unforgettable. Every year my little one insists on helping with the piping and our lopsided shapes always make us laugh around the table.

Storage Tips

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature and they stay crisp for about a week. To keep them even longer slip a piece of parchment between layers or tuck in a slice of bread which helps maintain their delicate texture. Butter cookies can also be frozen either before or after baking for up to two months

Ingredient Substitutions

If you are short on butter try using a highfat European style margarine but the flavor will be more neutral. For a glutenfree batch seek out a one to one glutenfree flour blend made for baking. If chocolate is not your thing a dusting of powdered sugar still looks beautiful

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cookies with afternoon tea or coffee for an old fashioned treat. They dress up any dessert tray and look especially pretty when half dipped in chocolate or decorated with festive sprinkles. For an elegant end to a meal pair them with fresh berries and whipped cream

Cultural Spotlight

Butter cookies are a Danish classic often enjoyed during Christmas though they fit into cookie tins year round in so many families. Their simple ingredients and irresistibly crumbly texture are what make them a favorite for gifting across generations

Seasonal Adaptations

Add a sprinkle of citrus zest for a bright springtime twist Switch vanilla for almond extract for a deeper nutty flavor Press colored sugar or crushed nuts onto cookies before baking for festive flair

Success Stories

I have given these cookies in homemade gift boxes for years and people always ask for the recipe They hold up well for shipping and little ones love helping with every step from mixing to dipping For many friends this is their most requested holiday cookie

Freezer Meal Conversion

Shape the piped dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until firm then transfer to an airtight container. When ready to bake just arrange straight from the freezer and add a minute or two to the baking time. You can also freeze fully baked cookies with parchment between each layer

Whether baked for a quiet afternoon or to share, these butter cookies promise melt-in-your-mouth joy every time. Enjoy their classic flavor and charming shape any time of year.

Recipe FAQs

→ Why use unsalted butter for these cookies?

Unsalted butter lets you control the salt level and enhances the pure, buttery flavor in these cookies.

→ How do I achieve the perfect texture?

Creaming butter and sugar thoroughly creates a tender, light crumb while proper flour blending prevents toughness.

→ What shapes can I make with the dough?

The dough is great for piping into swirls, or you can roll and cut it for simple rounds.

→ Can I add a chocolate coating?

Melt chocolate chips with a touch of shortening, then dip the cooled cookies halfway for added flavor and texture.

→ How should I store these cookies?

Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to retain their crispness.