Description
This simple butter cookies recipe yields the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies with crisp, golden edges and a soft, chewy center. They are addictively delicious and so easy to whip up with just a few pantry staples. Get ready to find your new go-to recipe for any occasion—or for a simple Tuesday afternoon when you need a little something sweet.
Ingredients
Units
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- 1 cup Unsalted Butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Whole Milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is very light, pale, and fluffy.
- Mix in Vanilla: Add the vanilla extract and mix until just combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Form the Dough: On low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk (begin and end with dry). Mix only until a soft dough forms.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Create the Pattern: Dip the tines of a fork in granulated sugar or flour. Gently press the fork onto each ball of dough, first in one direction and then the opposite, to create a crisscross pattern.
- Bake: Bake on the center rack for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn a light golden brown. The centers should still look soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- The Creaming Step is Key: The most important step for a light, tender cookie is to beat the butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes until it’s very light and fluffy. This incorporates air into the dough.
- Don’t Overmix: When adding the flour mixture, mix only until the last streaks of flour disappear. Overworking the dough can result in tough cookies.
- Prevent Sticking: Dipping the fork in sugar or flour is a simple trick that prevents it from sticking to the soft cookie dough, creating a clean, beautiful pattern every time.
- Slightly Underbake for Softness: The secret to a soft butter cookie is to pull it from the oven when the edges are just golden and the centers still look soft. They will continue to set on the hot baking sheet.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 95 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 25 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
