Butter Cookies Recipe 🥐
These classic butter cookies are rich, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Perfect for any occasion, they’re easy to make and fun to decorate with a piping bag for beautiful shapes.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose/plain flour
- 185g butter (softened to room temperature)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 cups icing sugar (powdered sugar)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour and salt. Mix well and set aside.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- In a separate bowl, use a mixer to beat the softened butter and icing sugar until the mixture is pale and creamy (about 3–5 minutes).
3. Add the Wet Ingredients:
- Crack in the egg and beat the mixture for about 3 minutes until fully incorporated.
- Add the milk and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
4. Combine the Wet and Dry Mixtures:
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix well after each addition until a soft, smooth dough forms.
5. Prepare the Piping Bag:
- Fit a piping bag with your choice of nozzle shapes. Fill the bag with the cookie dough.
6. Shape the Cookies:
- Pipe the dough onto a greased and parchment-lined baking tray, creating various shapes and designs.
- Once piped, place the baking tray in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes. Chilling ensures the cookies hold their shape while baking.
7. Bake the Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10–15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Success:
- Piping Tip: Use star or flower-shaped nozzles for decorative cookies.
- Chilling is Key: Chilling the dough prevents spreading and helps the cookies maintain their intricate designs.
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
These butter cookies are versatile—you can drizzle them with chocolate, sprinkle with powdered sugar, or enjoy them plain with tea or coffee. They make lovely gifts, too!