Description
Old Fashioned Butter Cookies are a classic treat cherished for their crisp edges and tender centers. Perfect for the holiday season or any special occasion, these cookies are simple to prepare and feature a rich buttery flavor with a hint of vanilla. This recipe includes instructions for piping elegant swirls or using a cookie scoop, resulting in beautiful, delicious cookies that are ideal for gifting or sharing at cookie exchanges.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
- ¾ cup white granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using a hand or stand mixer with the paddle attachment on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract at high speed until fully combined, scraping down the bowl again to ensure uniform mixing.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the salt and all-purpose flour to the wet mixture, mixing on a low speed until just combined. Then increase to high speed and beat until the dough forms and is cohesive.
- Adjust Dough Consistency: On medium speed, gradually beat in 1½ tablespoons of milk to achieve a creamy, pipe-able (but thick) dough. Add up to 2½ tablespoons if needed to reach the right texture.
- Pipe or Scoop Dough: Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe 1-2 inch swirls onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone mats, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Alternatively, use a cookie scoop to drop dough onto the sheet.
- Chill Dough: Refrigerate the shaped dough on the baking sheets for 30 minutes to firm up; this helps cookies retain their shape during baking.
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (177°C) and arrange the rack in the center position.
- Bake Cookies: Bake chilled cookies for 12-15 minutes until the edges just begin to turn golden brown.
- Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional Chocolate Decoration: Melt chocolate morsels in a microwave-safe bowl using 30-second intervals, stirring after each until smooth. Dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate and sprinkle with toppings if desired. Let set at room temperature for 1 hour or refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Notes
- These butter cookies are a traditional holiday favorite, known for their crunchy yet tender texture.
- The dough chilling step is essential to maintain the piped shape while baking.
- You can customize the cookies by dipping them in chocolate and decorating with sprinkles for festive occasions.
- The recipe makes approximately 24 cookies, perfect for sharing or gifting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 138
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 53 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 27 mg
