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Best Butter Cookies: Classic, Crisp, and Perfectly Buttery


  • Author: Norah
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Classic buttery cookies with a tender crumb and a subtle vanilla flavor, finished with a sparkling sprinkle of turbinado sugar for extra crunch. Perfect with tea or coffee!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • ½ teaspoon baking powder

  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

  • 2 sticks (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar

  • 1 large egg yolk

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • ¼ cup turbinado sugar


Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

  • In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

  • In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

  • Beat in egg yolk and vanilla extract until combined.

  • Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.

  • Scoop dough by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.

  • Flatten each cookie slightly and sprinkle the tops generously with turbinado sugar.

  • Bake 12–15 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.

 

  • Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Notes

Use good-quality butter for best flavor.

Dough can be chilled for 30 minutes if too soft to handle.

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
  • Category: Dessert · Snack · Cookie
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American / Classic

Keywords: butter cookies, vanilla cookies, classic cookies, easy cookies, holiday cookies