Are you ready to fill your kitchen with the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked butter cookies? These aren't just any cookies; they're perfect for holiday baking, special occasions, or simply a delightful afternoon treat. This easy recipe yields buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, ideal for decorating with festive sprinkles, icing, or simply enjoying plain. Let's get started on this delicious journey into homemade cooking!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect texture. Use an electric mixer for best results, but a good old-fashioned hand mixer or even a wooden spoon will do the trick if you're feeling ambitious!
Step 2: Adding Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined before moving to the next step.
Step 3: Incorporating Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
Step 4: Chilling the Dough
This step is essential for easy handling and preventing the cookies from spreading too thin during baking. Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or even up to 2 hours.
Step 5: Rolling and Cutting
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Once the dough is chilled, lightly flour your work surface. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. Place the cookies on ungreased baking sheets.
Step 6: Baking the Cookies
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning. Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven.
Step 7: Cooling and Enjoying
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, you can decorate them with icing, sprinkles, or simply enjoy their delightful buttery flavor.
Tips for the Best Butter Cookies:
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened, not melted. This ensures proper creaming and a tender cookie.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is crucial for easy handling and preventing spreading.
- Proper Baking Time: Keep a close watch on your cookies to prevent burning.
Variations:
- Chocolate Chip Butter Cookies: Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the dough before chilling.
- Spiced Butter Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
- Lemon Butter Cookies: Add the zest of one lemon to the dough along with the vanilla extract.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 80-100
- Fat: Approximately 5-7g
- Sugar: Approximately 5-7g
These delicious butter cookies are perfect for any occasion. They are relatively quick dinner ideas for those busy weeknights, and a wonderful addition to your repertoire of healthy meals and easy recipes. Enjoy the process of homemade cooking and the sweet reward of these delightful treats!