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Best Butter Cookies: Classic, Crispy, and Irresistibly Buttery


  • Author: Norah
  • Total Time: 30 minutes (including cooling)
  • Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Classic buttery cookies with a crisp edge and tender center, enhanced by vanilla and a crunchy turbinado sugar topping—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, room temperature

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar

  • 1 large egg yolk

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • ¼ cup turbinado sugar (for sprinkling)


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 bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (~3–5 minutes).

  • Add egg yolk and vanilla extract; mix until combined.

  • Gradually add flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated.

  • Scoop dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place on baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with your palm or bottom of a glass.

  • Sprinkle tops with turbinado sugar for crunch.

  • Bake 12–15 minutes, until edges are golden but centers remain soft.

 

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

Notes

For best texture, use cold butter if dough feels too soft and chill before baking

Turbinado sugar adds a delightful crunch and sparkle to cookies.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days

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

Keywords: butter cookies, classic cookies, vanilla cookies, turbinado sugar, crisp cookies