milk cookies

The Ultimate Guide to Making Butter Cookies

Butter cookies, with their golden edges and melt-in-your-mouth texture, are a beloved treat. Here’s a simple yet foolproof recipe to achieve bakery-quality results at home.

Ingredients:

- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened

- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar

- 1/4 cup (50g) powdered sugar

- 1 large egg, room temperature

- 2 tsp vanilla extract

- 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour

- 1/2 tsp salt

- Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips or nuts

Instructions:

1. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes).

2. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing.

4. Chill Dough: Refrigerate for 30 minutes (or up to 1 hour) to firm up, preventing spreading.

5. Shape and Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough into 1-inch balls, place on a baking sheet lined with parchment, and flatten slightly. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden.

6. Cool: Let cookies rest on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Tips: For extra flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or lemon zest. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Enjoy these buttery delights with tea or coffee!