Butter cookies are a classic favorite, and for good reason – they’re easy to make, delicious, and perfect for any occasion. In this article, we’ll show you how to make the best butter cookies with crisp piped ridges, using a simple recipe that’s sure to become a staple in your household.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This butter cookie recipe is a game-changer. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll be able to whip up a batch of delicious cookies in no time. Plus, the addition of crisp piped ridges takes these cookies to the next level, making them perfect for special occasions or everyday treats.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
To make these butter cookies, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla bean paste
You can substitute the granulated sugar with powdered sugar for a tender and slightly sandy texture. However, keep in mind that using powdered sugar will give your cookies a different texture than using granulated sugar.
The unsalted butter is a crucial ingredient in this recipe, as it provides a rich and creamy flavor. If you only have salted butter on hand, you can use it, but be sure to omit the additional salt called for in the recipe.
The all-purpose flour is also essential, as it provides structure and texture to the cookies. You can substitute it with bread flour or cake flour, but keep in mind that the cookies may have a slightly different texture.
Step-by-Step Instructions
To make these butter cookies, follow these steps:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream the butter and sugars until pale and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the flour, salt, and mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
4. Beat in the egg and vanilla bean paste until smooth.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill.
6. Once chilled, scoop the dough into balls, about 1 tablespoon each. Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
7. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
8. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
For more delicious cookie recipes, check out our Christmas Crack recipe, which is perfect for the holiday season. You can also try our Christmas Crack Recipe for a sweet and salty treat.
Expert Chef Tips & Troubleshooting
To prevent your butter cookies from spreading too much during baking, make sure to chill the dough thoroughly. This step helps the cookies retain their shape. Additionally, ensuring the butter is at a cool room temperature rather than melted will help. If you’re still experiencing issues, try baking the cookies at a slightly lower temperature, such as 325°F (165°C), to prevent the butter from melting too quickly.
When it comes to storing and reheating your butter cookies, it’s essential to follow safe food storage practices. You can store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, consider freezing the cookies. You can either freeze the raw dough discs and bake them as needed, or freeze the baked cookies. When freezing baked cookies, it’s best to place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container to prevent them from sticking together.
Storage, Make-Ahead & Reheating
To maintain the freshness of your butter cookies, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, consider freezing the cookies. You can either freeze the raw dough discs and bake them as needed, or freeze the baked cookies. When freezing baked cookies, it’s best to place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container to prevent them from sticking together.
It’s also important to follow safe minimum internal temperatures when baking and storing your cookies. This will ensure that your cookies are safe to eat and retain their quality.
Serving Suggestions
These butter cookies are perfect for serving at any time of day. You can enjoy them on their own or paired with a cup of coffee or tea. They’re also a great addition to a lunchbox or as a snack for a road trip.
If you’re looking for a way to make your butter cookies more special, consider adding a few drops of food coloring to the dough to create a fun and colorful cookie. You can also try adding a sprinkle of sea salt or a drizzle of honey on top of the cookies before baking for an extra touch of flavor.
Butter Cookies with Crisp Piped Ridges
Equipment
- Stand mixer
- Piping bag
- Large star tip
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
Butter and sugars
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Dry ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and sugars until pale and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the flour, salt, and mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla bean paste until smooth.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill.
- Once chilled, scoop the dough into balls, about 1 tablespoon each. Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
- Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Calories: 100
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Potassium: 20mg
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 6g
- Vitamin A: 0 IU
- Vitamin C: 0mg
- Calcium: 2mg
- Iron: 1mg
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent my butter cookies from spreading too much during baking?
To prevent butter cookies from spreading too much, it’s crucial to chill the dough thoroughly. This step helps the cookies retain their shape. Additionally, ensuring the butter is at a cool room temperature rather than melted will help. If you’re still experiencing issues, try baking the cookies at a slightly lower temperature, such as 325°F (165°C), to prevent the butter from melting too quickly.
Can I use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar in my butter cookie recipe?
Yes, you can use powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar in your butter cookie recipe. However, keep in mind that powdered sugar will give your cookies a tender and slightly sandy texture, whereas granulated sugar will result in a crisper cookie. The choice between the two sugars depends on your personal preference for the texture of your butter cookies.
How do I store butter cookies to maintain their freshness?
To maintain the freshness of your butter cookies, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, consider freezing the cookies. You can either freeze the raw dough discs and bake them as needed, or freeze the baked cookies. When freezing baked cookies, it’s best to place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container to prevent them from sticking together.
What is the best way to achieve the classic “S” shape or “Rosette” shape in my butter cookies?
To achieve the classic “S” shape or “Rosette” shape in your butter cookies, it’s essential to use a piping technique. You will need a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe the dough in a continuous, flowing motion to create the desired shape. It might take a little practice to get the hang of it, but the result will be well worth the effort. Consider watching a video tutorial or looking at step-by-step photos to help guide you through the process.
