Description
Delicate French butter cookies melt hearts with their buttery charm, whisking bakers into a Parisian patisserie. Crisp, golden edges and rich vanilla notes promise sweet moments that connect you to classic French baking traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) granulated sugar (for coating)
- 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar, sifted
Fat and Moisture Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 g) butter, room temperature
Flavor and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 egg yolk, room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) vanilla extract
Instructions
- Whip softened butter and powdered sugar until fluffy and pale, creating a smooth base for the delicate cookie dough.
- Gently incorporate egg yolk and vanilla extract, blending until the mixture becomes uniform and glossy.
- Gradually sift flour into the wet ingredients, carefully folding until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Encase the dough in plastic wrap, allowing it to rest and firm up in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
- Divide the chilled dough into two equal portions, then carefully roll each section into slender 4-inch logs.
- Wrap the logs tightly in plastic wrap and transfer to the freezer for 45 minutes to solidify their shape.
- Remove logs from freezer and roll each one thoroughly in granulated sugar, creating a sparkling exterior.
- Using a sharp knife, slice the logs into thin 3/8-inch rounds, ensuring uniform thickness for even baking.
- Arrange cookie slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to allow for gentle spreading.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 356°F for 15-18 minutes, watching for edges to turn golden brown and centers to set.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool completely on the baking sheet, allowing them to crisp and develop their signature texture.
Notes
- Softening butter at room temperature helps create a smoother, more even dough with less chance of lumps.
- Use high-quality vanilla extract for a richer, more authentic flavor that elevates the entire cookie.
- Chilling the dough twice prevents spreading and helps maintain the delicate, crisp texture that makes these cookies special.
- For gluten-free option, swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 108
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 18 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 13 mg