Butter cookies are a timeless treat known for their rich, buttery flavor and soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. They are simple to make with basic ingredients, making them perfect for holidays, gifts, or enjoying with a warm cup of tea. These cookies hold their shape beautifully, and you can decorate them with chocolate or sprinkles for a festive touch. Chilling the dough before baking ensures they stay elegant and do not spread too much. Piping the dough adds a professional look, while rolling into balls is an easy alternative.
Ingredients for Butter Cookies
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 large egg, room temperature
2–3 teaspoons milk (optional, if needed for consistency)
Optional: melted chocolate or sprinkles for decoration
Instructions to Make Butter Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Whisk together flour and salt in a bowl. Cream softened butter and sugar in a mixer for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add the flour mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. If the dough is too stiff to pipe, add 1 teaspoon of milk at a time. Pipe or shape the dough onto an ungreased baking sheet. Chill the dough for 30–40 minutes. Bake for 12–15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Optionally, dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate and add sprinkles.
Tips for Perfect Butter Cookies
Use room-temperature butter for smooth mixing. Chilling the dough prevents spreading. Use high-quality vanilla extract for better flavor. Store baked cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft for up to a week. These cookies freeze well if baked or unbaked, making them ideal for preparing ahead of time.
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Classic Butter Cookies: Soft, Buttery, and Delicious
- Total Time: 33–35 mins (including chilling)
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
Rich, buttery swirl cookies that melt in your mouth. Elegant, classic, and customizable with chocolate or sprinkles.
Ingredients
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 large egg, room temperature
2–3 teaspoons milk (optional)
Optional: melted chocolate for dipping or drizzling
Optional: sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175 °C).
2. Whisk together flour and salt in a bowl.
3. Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Mix in vanilla extract and egg until smooth.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients and stir until dough forms.
6. If too stiff, add milk one teaspoon at a time.
7. Pipe swirls of dough on an ungreased baking sheet.
8. Refrigerate the piped dough for 30–40 minutes.
9. Bake for 12–15 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
10. Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then move to a wire rack.
11. After cooling, optionally dip in chocolate and add sprinkles.
Notes
Use softened butter at room temperature for best texture.
Chilling the dough helps maintain the swirl shape.
Thin melted chocolate with a bit of coconut oil or butter for smooth dipping.
You can skip decoration — the swirl alone looks beautiful.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature to keep cookies soft.
Freeze baked cookies with parchment between layers for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 13 mins
- Category: Dessert, Cookie
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140 kcal
