French Butter Cookies

Today, we’re diving into a recipe that captures the essence of French elegance: French Butter Cookies. Picture this: tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with a rich, buttery flavor and a hint of vanilla. They’re the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea or coffee, and they make a beautiful addition to any dessert table.

These cookies are more than just a treat; they’re a celebration of simplicity and quality ingredients. The combination of high-quality butter, sugar, and a touch of vanilla creates a flavor profile that’s both comforting and sophisticated. It’s a cookie that’s perfect for sharing with friends and family, whether you’re hosting a tea party or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon at home.

The beauty of these French Butter Cookies lies in their simplicity. With just a few ingredients and a bit of time, you can create a batch of cookies that look like they came straight from a French patisserie. Plus, the presentation—with their delicate shape and golden hue—makes them a showstopper that’s sure to impress.

So, grab your mixing bowls and let’s get baking! These French Butter Cookies are sure to become a favorite in your dessert rotation, a classic and elegant option that you’ll love.

French Butter Cookies are a classic and elegant treat that’s perfect for any occasion. With a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a rich, buttery flavor, these cookies are as delicious as they are beautiful. Made with just a few simple ingredients, they’re easy to prepare and sure to impress, whether you’re hosting a tea party or enjoying a quiet afternoon at home.

Exciting Story:

Every time I visit a French patisserie, I’m always drawn to the simple elegance of their butter cookies. One day, I decided to recreate them at home. I combined high-quality butter, sugar, and a touch of vanilla to create a dough that was both delicate and flavorful. As I piped the dough into beautiful shapes and baked them to golden perfection, I was transported to a charming café in Paris. The moment I took my first bite, I knew I had captured the essence of French elegance. Since then, these French Butter Cookies have become a staple in my baking repertoire, a treat that brings a touch of sophistication to any gathering.

 

Why These French Butter Cookies Are a Must-Try

These French Butter Cookies are a must-try for several reasons. First, the combination of high-quality butter, sugar, and a touch of vanilla creates a rich and sophisticated flavor profile that’s hard to resist. The tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture makes each bite a delightful experience. Plus, the simplicity of the recipe means you can create a batch of elegant cookies with just a few ingredients and a bit of time. The presentation, with their delicate shape and golden hue, makes them a showstopper that’s sure to impress your guests.

What You Need For French Butter Cookies

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour
• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

How to Make French Butter Cookies

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
3. Add the Egg Yolks and Vanilla: Beat in the egg yolks, one at a time, ensuring each is well incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Add the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Prepare the Dough: Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a plastic bag with a corner snipped off.
6. Pipe the Cookies: Pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheets in small rosettes or desired shapes, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
7. Bake the Cookies: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Dust with Powdered Sugar: Once the cookies are completely cool, dust them lightly with powdered sugar, if desired.
9. Serve: Enjoy your French Butter Cookies with a cup of tea or coffee, savoring every delicate bite.

Tips For French Butter Cookies:

For the best results, make sure to use high-quality butter for a richer flavor. Additionally, consider chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before piping to make it easier to handle.

Substitutions and Variations:

If you prefer a different flavor profile, you can add a teaspoon of almond extract or a pinch of citrus zest to the dough. For a festive touch, try dusting the cookies with colored sugar or sprinkles instead of powdered sugar. You can also experiment with different piping tips to create various shapes and designs.

Make a Healthier Version:

To make these cookies healthier, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. You can also reduce the amount of sugar or use a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. For a lower-fat option, use a combination of butter and Greek yogurt.

Closing For French Butter Cookies:

And there you have it! A classic and elegant treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Don’t forget to let us know how your French Butter Cookies turn out, and consider checking out some of our other recipes for more sweet inspiration.

Frequently Asked Questions For French Butter Cookies:

1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
   • Yes, you can use salted butter, but omit the additional salt in the recipe.
2. How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
   • You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour.
3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
   • Yes, you can prepare the dough a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature before piping.
4. What can I use instead of a piping bag?
   • You can use a plastic bag with a corner snipped off or a cookie press.
5. Can I freeze these cookies?
   • Yes, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.
6. How can I make these cookies healthier?
   • Use whole wheat flour, reduce the amount of sugar, and substitute Greek yogurt for some of the butter.
7. Can I add nuts to the dough?
   • Yes, you can fold in finely chopped nuts like almonds or pistachios for added texture.
8. How long do these cookies keep?
   • These cookies will keep for up to 1 week in an airtight container at room temperature.
9. Can I make these cookies without a mixer?
   • Yes, you can mix the ingredients by hand using a whisk and a sturdy spoon.
10. What can I do with leftover dough?
    • Leftover dough can be rolled into small balls and baked as simple round cookies.
11. Can I make these cookies vegan?
    • Yes, you can use vegan butter and a flax egg or applesauce as an egg substitute.
12. What can I do if I don’t have vanilla extract?
    • You can use a teaspoon of vanilla bean paste or the seeds from a vanilla pod as a substitute.

French Butter Cookies

0 from 0 votes

Recipe by Alexandra Course: All Word Recipes

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Total time

0

minutes

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

• 1 cup 1 (225g) unsalted butter, softened

• 3/4 cup 3/4 (150g) granulated sugar

• 1/4 tsp 1/4 salt

• 2 large 2 egg yolks

• 2 tsp 2 vanilla extract

• 2 1/4 cups 2 1/4 (280g) all-purpose flour

• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Directions

• Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
• Add the Egg Yolks and Vanilla: Beat in the egg yolks, one at a time, ensuring each is well incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract.
• Add the Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix.
• Prepare the Dough: Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a plastic bag with a corner snipped off.
• Pipe the Cookies: Pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheets in small rosettes or desired shapes, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
• Bake the Cookies: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Dust with Powdered Sugar: Once the cookies are completely cool, dust them lightly with powdered sugar, if desired.
• Serve: Enjoy your French Butter Cookies with a cup of tea or coffee, savoring every delicate bite.

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