Classic Homemade Butter Cookies

📝 Description:

Melt-in-your-mouth and rich with buttery goodness, these Homemade Butter Cookies are a timeless treat. With their crisp edges and tender centers, they’re perfect for holidays, tea time, or simply to enjoy with a cup of coffee. Whether piped, rolled, or pressed into shapes, these cookies are both simple and elegant.

🌍 Origin:

Butter cookies originated in Denmark and are also known as Danish cookies. They’re a staple of European and American baking, cherished for their simplicity and luxurious texture.

🧾 Ingredients Quantity:

For the Cookies:

Unsalted butter (softened) – 1 cup (226g)
Powdered sugar – ⅔ cup (80g)
Granulated sugar – ¼ cup (50g)
Egg – 1 large
Vanilla extract – 2 tsp
All-purpose flour – 2 ¼ cups (280g)
Salt – ¼ tsp

Optional Add-ins (for variations):

Lemon or orange zest – 1 tsp
Almond extract – ¼ tsp
Chocolate chips or drizzle – ½ cup
Sprinkles or colored sugar (for decoration) – as needed

🍽️ Instructions:

1. Preheat & Prep:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Cream Butter and Sugars:

In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).

3. Add Egg and Flavorings:

Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and any optional flavorings (zest or almond extract).

4. Mix Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture until a soft dough forms.

5. Shape Cookies:

For piped cookies: Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip and pipe onto baking sheet.
For rolled cookies: Chill dough 30 minutes, then roll and cut with cookie cutters.
For drop cookies: Scoop dough and flatten slightly with a fork or bottom of a glass.