🍪 Classic Butter Cookies Recipe
These cookies are buttery, crisp, and melt in your mouth — perfect for holidays or everyday treats!
⭐ Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough
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1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
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3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
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1 large egg, room temperature
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2 tsp vanilla extract (or 1 tsp vanilla + 1 tsp almond extract)
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2 1/4 cups (270g) all-purpose flour
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1/4 tsp salt
(Optional)
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Sprinkles, melted chocolate, or powdered sugar for decoration
🥣 Instructions
1. Cream the Butter and Sugar
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In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light, creamy, and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
2. Add Egg & Vanilla
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Add the egg and vanilla extract.
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Mix until smooth and well combined.
3. Add Dry Ingredients
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Sift together flour and salt, then add them gradually to the wet mixture.
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Mix on low speed until a soft dough forms.
4. Shape the Cookies
Choose one method:
➤ Piped Butter Cookies
Use a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe swirls or lines onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
➤ Rolled/Pressed Cookies
Chill dough for 20 minutes, then roll into small balls or press with a cookie press.
5. Chill (Important)
Refrigerate shaped cookies for 15–20 minutes to help them keep their shape.
6. Bake
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges turn lightly golden.
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Cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
🍫 Optional Decorating
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Dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate
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Dust with powdered sugar
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Add sprinkles before baking
💡 Tips for Perfect Butter Cookies
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Butter must be soft but not melted.
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Too thick dough? Add 1–2 tsp milk to loosen.
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Too soft for piping? Chill dough 10 minutes.
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Do not overbake — they should stay light-colored.
🎉 Variations
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Lemon Butter Cookies: Add zest of 1 lemon.
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Almond Cookies: Replace vanilla with almond extract.
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Chocolate Butter Cookies: Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to dough.
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Cinnamon Sugar Coated: Roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking.
