Grandma's Secret Butter Cookies (Printable version)
Tender, buttery cookies that melt in your mouth. A classic treat perfect for tea time or holidays.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
→ Wet Ingredients
03 - 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
04 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
05 - 1 large egg yolk
06 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
→ Optional Finishing
07 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for dusting
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt until well combined.
03 - In a large bowl, beat the butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
04 - Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated.
05 - Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.
06 - Roll tablespoonfuls of dough into balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
07 - Gently press each ball with the tines of a fork or the bottom of a glass to flatten slightly.
08 - Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden. Do not overbake.
09 - Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10 - Dust cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar, if desired.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- The edges turn slightly golden while the centers stay impossibly soft
- They require only pantry staples you probably already have
02 -
- These cookies continue baking on the hot sheet after you pull them from the oven
- Room temperature ingredients combine more evenly than cold ones ever will
03 -
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes if your kitchen is particularly warm or the cookies might spread too much
- Weigh your flour instead of scooping directly from the bag for consistent results every time