Description
These World’s Best Butter Cookies are the ultimate classic treat, featuring a rich buttery flavor and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfectly simple and irresistibly delicious, they’re an ideal holiday cookie or anytime snack, customizable with a dusting of powdered sugar, sprinkles, or a chocolate drizzle.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Decorations
- Sanding sugar
- Sprinkles
- Chocolate for dipping or drizzling
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 bowl, use a mixer or whisk to cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, which will help create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Flavor: Mix in the vanilla extract thoroughly to infuse the dough with a warm, sweet aroma.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter mixture, stirring just until the dough forms. Avoid overmixing; the dough should be soft but not sticky.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop or roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Flatten each ball slightly using the bottom of a glass, your palm, or decorating tools like a fork or cookie stamp for a classic look.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn a light golden color, signaling they are perfectly baked.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, preserving their delicate texture.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the cookies if desired by dusting with powdered sugar, dipping or drizzling in melted chocolate, or rolling them in colorful sprinkles for a festive touch.
Notes
- These cookies have a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture due to their high butter content.
- For an added flavor twist, try adding a splash of almond extract or some lemon zest to the dough.
- The dough can be chilled and sliced for a classic slice-and-bake style cookie or rolled out and cut into shapes for cut-out cookies.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, European-Inspired
