Description
These French Butter Cookies for Gifts are rich, buttery, and delicately sweet with a crisp-tender texture. Perfectly paired with tea or coffee, they offer a touch of Parisian charm in every bite, making them ideal for gifting, holidays, or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Butter Mixture
- ½ cup butter, softened to room temperature
- ½ cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Cream butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes, ensuring a smooth and airy mixture.
- Add Flavoring: Add vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to the creamed butter mixture, mixing until fully incorporated for balanced flavor.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour to form a soft dough, being careful not to overmix to maintain tender texture.
- Chill Dough: Shape the dough into a log, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Slice and Arrange Cookies: Slice the chilled dough into ¼-inch rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing each cookie about 1 inch apart.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden, ensuring a crisp-tender finish.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before serving or storing to set their shape and texture.
Notes
- Add lemon zest for a citrus twist.
- Dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate for an elegant finish.
- Use almond extract instead of vanilla for a nutty flavor.
- Sprinkle tops with coarse sugar before baking for added texture.
- Make sandwich cookies with jam or ganache for extra indulgence.