Description
These Pastel Candy-Centered Butter Cookies are soft, buttery treats perfect for spring celebrations or Easter. Each cookie is topped with a colorful pastel chocolate candy, adding a fun and festive touch. Easy to make with simple ingredients, these classic cookies bake to a light golden edge with a tender center.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Decoration
- 24 pastel chocolate candies (such as M&M’s or similar)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and fully combined, providing flavor and structure.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms and there are no dry spots.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch diameter balls and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookie edges are lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly cooked.
- Add Candies: Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press one pastel chocolate candy into the center of each warm cookie so it adheres as the cookie cools.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- For seasonal variations, substitute pastel candies with red and green candies for a festive Christmas twist.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
