French Butter Cookies Recipe
Description:
Everything a butter cookie should be and cute as a button. Before baking, four holes are made in these cookies so they look like big buttons. Unlike most other recipes, this one uses brown sugar and a fancy edge made of turbinado sugar. They melt in your mouth.
Quick Facts:
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Servings: 60 cookies
- Calories per Serving: 56.7
- Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Review Count: 2
- Category: Dessert
- Keywords: Cookie & Brownie, Sweet, Weeknight, < 4 Hours
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | Butter |
| 2/3 cup | Light brown sugar |
| 1 | Egg |
| 1 tsp | Vanilla extract |
| 2 1/2 cups | Flour |
| 1/2 tsp | Salt |
| – | Turbinado sugar (for rolling) |
| – | Granulated sugar (for rolling) |
Instructions:
-
Cream Butter and Brown Sugar:
- In a large bowl or using an electric mixer equipped with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter and light brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes on high speed.
-
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Add Egg and Vanilla:
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
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Incorporate Flour and Salt:
- Gradually add the flour and salt to the mixture. Mix on low speed until the flour is fully incorporated. The dough should come together nicely.
-
Chill the Dough:
- Divide the dough into three equal parts. Roll each part into 1 1/2-inch diameter logs. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until firm, for at least 1 hour or overnight for best results.
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Preheat the Oven:
- When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
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Roll in Sugar:
- Roll the chilled logs in either turbinado sugar or granulated sugar, ensuring an even coating.
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Slice the Cookies:
- Using a sharp knife, slice the logs into 1/4-inch thick cookies. Place them on the prepared cookie sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.
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Create Button Design:
- To give these cookies their distinctive button-like appearance, use a skewer or toothpick to make four decorative holes in each cookie. This will make them resemble large buttons.
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Bake to Perfection:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown color.
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Cool and Enjoy:
- Once baked, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. They will firm up as they cool.
Serving and Storing:
These French Butter Cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They also freeze well, so you can make a batch ahead of time and enjoy them whenever you like!
Recipe Notes:
- For a variation, you can add a sprinkle of sea salt on top of the cookies before baking to enhance the sweet-salty contrast.
- If you prefer a smoother edge on your cookies, you can skip rolling them in sugar and simply slice and bake.
- These cookies make a delightful gift when placed in a decorative tin or wrapped in cellophane with a festive ribbon.
These French Butter Cookies are a delightful treat that combines the richness of butter with the sweetness of brown sugar and the perfect hint of vanilla. The unique button design adds a touch of whimsy, making them not only delicious but also adorable to look at. Whether you’re baking these for a special occasion or simply to satisfy a sweet craving, they are sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection! 🍪✨
