Best 3 The Best Butter Cookies Recipes

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Indulge in the delightful world of buttery cookies, where every bite is a symphony of rich flavor and delicate texture. Embark on a culinary journey with our collection of the best butter cookie recipes, each offering a unique twist on this timeless classic. From the simplicity of traditional butter cookies to the elegance of Viennese Crescents, discover an array of irresistible treats that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting your baking adventure, these recipes provide clear and easy-to-follow instructions, ensuring success in your kitchen. Get ready to fill your home with the sweet aroma of freshly baked butter cookies and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

THE BEST BUTTER COOKIES



The Best Butter Cookies image

Your search is over -- this perfect butter cookie will stay in your recipe box for years. It's crisp, yet tender and perfect for tea for two or cookies for Santa. Plus, you have the choice to make drop cookies or a slice-and-bake version!

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 45m

Yield 36 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 sticks (16 tablespoons) good-quality unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup turbinado sugar

Steps:

  • Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add the butter and granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on high speed for a full 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl halfway through the mixing; the butter should be very light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat on medium speed until well combined. Add half the dry ingredients and beat on low speed to combine. Scrape down the mixing bowl before adding the remaining dry ingredients and beat to combine. Refrigerate for 1 hour in the bowl for drop cookies, or form into a 1-inch log for slice-and-bake cookies.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Place the turbinado sugar in a small bowl. For drop cookies, scoop the cookie dough with a 1 tablespoon-size cookie scoop and then dip the tops of the cookie dough balls into the sugar. Place onto the prepared baking sheet.
  • For slice-and-bake cookies, cut the log into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Press the tops into the sugar and place on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake the cookies until slightly puffed and lightly golden on the bottom, about 15 minutes.

BEST BUTTER COOKIES



Best Butter Cookies image

With this convenient recipe, you get four different kinds of cookies from just one batch of dough. The cutouts, peppermint balls, spicy fruit balls and chocolate slices are enough to fill up a Christmas treat tray. -Dawn Fagerstrom, Warren, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 30m

Yield 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 21

2 cups butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS FOR CUTOUTS:
Sprinkles, jimmies or colored sugar, optional
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS FOR PEPPERMINT BALLS:
1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
Red colored sugar, optional
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS FOR SPICY FRUIT BALLS:
1/2 cup dried currants
1/2 cup chopped mixed candied fruit
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Confectioners' sugar, optional
ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS FOR CHOCOLATE SLICES:
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. , Divide dough into four 1-1/2 cup portions; mix and shape for each variety as follows. Yield: 4 portions (1-1/2 cups each)., To prepare Cutouts: Using one portion dough, divide into two balls; roll each ball directly on an ungreased baking sheet to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured cookie cutter, leaving at least 1 in. between cookies. Remove excess dough and reroll scraps if desired. Decorate with sprinkles, jimmies or colored sugar if desired. Bake at 375° for 6-7 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool for 1 minute before removing from pans to wire racks. Yield: 2 dozen., To prepare Peppermint Balls: In a large bowl, combine one portion dough, peppermint candies and peppermint extract. Shape into 1-in. balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Sprinkle with red colored sugar if desired. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until set. Cool for 1 minute before removing from pans to wire racks. Yield: 2 dozen., To prepare Spicy Fruit Balls: In a large bowl, combine one portion dough, currants, fruit and cinnamon. Shape into 1-in. balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until set. Cool for 1 minute then roll in confectioners' sugar if desired. Cool on wire racks. Yield: 2 dozen., To prepare Chocolate Slices: In a microwave, melt chocolate; stir until smooth. In a small bowl, mix melted chocolate into one portion cookie dough. Shape into a 1-1/2-in.-thick log; roll in nuts. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm. Unwrap and cut into 1/8-in. slices. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool for 1 minute before removing from pans to wire racks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 63 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 13mg cholesterol, Sodium 38mg sodium, Carbohydrate 7g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

WORLD'S BEST BUTTER COOKIES



World's Best Butter Cookies image

I tested 8 different butter cookie recipes, looking for the "perfect" butter cookie. It had to be buttery, a little crumbly (like shortbread), and not too sweet. This is the winner. I think these are the Worlds Best Butter Cookie, courtesy of Chef Alice Medrich.

Provided by P48422

Categories     Dessert

Time 33m

Yield 48 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 6

8 ounces unsalted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 large egg yolk
2 cups all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • Beat the butter, sugar, salt and vanilla together until smooth and creamy.
  • Mix in the egg yolk until well incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl at least once.
  • Add the flour and mix just until incorporated.
  • Scrape onto a lightly floured board and knead a few times, just until the dough smooths out.
  • Turn onto a sheet of plastic wrap and roll into a log, wrap up and refrigerate for several hours or freeze.
  • Before baking, preheat the oven to 325°F.
  • Line your baking sheets with parchment.
  • Slice the dough into slices about 1/8" thick and place them on the sheets about an inch apart (they won't be spreading very much, but they need air room around each cookie).
  • Bake until JUST beginning to turn golden around the edges, about 16-18 minutes.
  • Note: you can do many things with these cookies.
  • You could roll the dough out and cut shapes.
  • You could slice them even thinner and sandwich them with chocolate or jam or lemon curd.
  • You could make them and then dip them half into chocolate.
  • You could just make them and eat them, which is my favorite.
  • Whatever you do, they will be delicious.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 66.5, Fat 4, SaturatedFat 2.5, Cholesterol 14, Sodium 12.9, Carbohydrate 7.1, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 3.1, Protein 0.6

Tips for Making the Best Butter Cookies:

  • Use high-quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the cookies will be. Look for unsalted butter, pure vanilla extract, and all-purpose flour.
  • Chill the dough before baking. This will help the cookies hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much.
  • Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the cookies tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake the cookies at the right temperature. The cookies should be baked at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to brown.
  • Let the cookies cool completely before frosting. This will help the frosting set properly.

Conclusion:

These butter cookies are a classic for a reason. They're simple to make, delicious, and perfect for any occasion. With a few simple tips, you can make the best butter cookies that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a sweet treat, give these cookies a try. You won't be disappointed!

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