Description
These World’s Best Butter Cookies are a classic American dessert recipe that combines rich, creamy butter with a simple dough to create tender, perfectly golden cookies. Easy to make and delightfully buttery, they are perfect for holidays, gifting, or an everyday sweet treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons milk (if needed for dough consistency)
- Optional: sanding sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create the perfect texture for the cookies.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and pure vanilla extract until fully combined, adding moisture and flavor to the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to evenly distribute the salt throughout the dough.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels stiff or dry, add milk one tablespoon at a time to reach the desired consistency.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow room for spreading.
- Flatten and Decorate: Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass or a fork, then optionally sprinkle sanding sugar on top for extra sparkle and sweetness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cookie edges turn lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Use high-quality European-style butter for a richer, creamier flavor.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking helps achieve sharper, more defined edges.
- For a decorative look, pipe the dough using a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip instead of rolling into balls.
