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+ servings
Stacked golden-brown butter cookies lightly dusted with sugar on a rustic wooden surface.

French Butter Cookies

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 37 minutes
Experience the craftsmanship of French cuisine with these exquisite French Butter Cookies. This recipe guarantees a combination of simplicity and elegance, in every bite. Picture perfectly softened butter expertly blended with the sugar resulting in a dough that is not only a pleasure to shape but also an absolute delight to savor. Each cookie is infused with a touch of vanilla. Coated in a sparkling crust of granulated sugar creating a golden brown hue when baked. The result is a balance between crispness and tenderness that simply melts in your mouth. This recipe goes beyond baking cookies; it’s about creating moments of joy and forming a connection to the charming streets of France right within the confines of your own kitchen. Whether you’re indulging in a peaceful afternoon tea or celebrating at a gathering these cookies will undoubtedly bring an air of sophistication and warmth, to any occasion.
18 Servings

Ingredients

  • ½ c butter softened to room temperature
  • ½ c powdered sugar sifted before measuring
  • 1 egg yolk at room temperature
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ⅛ c all-purpose or cake flour
  • ¼ c granulated sugar for coating the shaped dough before baking

Instructions
 

Make the Dough:

  1. Start by mixing the butter and powdered sugar until they become pale and light.
  2. Add in the egg yolk and vanilla extract blending them together.
  3. Sift in the flour. Mix everything until a soft dough forms.

Chill the Dough:

  1. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

Shape the Dough:

  1. Divide the dough into two pieces.
  2. Take each piece. Roll it into a log that's approximately 4 inches long and 1 inch thick.

Freeze the Logs:

  1. Wrap each log with plastic wrap and put them in the freezer for around 45 minutes.

Bake the Cookies:

  1. Preheat your oven to a temperature of 356°F (180°C or 160°C fan).
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  3. Remove the plastic wrap from each log then roll them in granulated sugar.
  4. Slice each log into rounds that are about an inch thick.
  5. Place these slices on your prepared baking sheet then bake them for approximately 15 to 18 minutes until they turn golden brown.

Cooling Process:

  1. Allow your cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after taking them out of the oven.
  2. Transfer them onto a cooling rack to cool down completely.

Storing Instructions:

  1. Once cooled you can store your cookies in an airtight container for, up to five days.

Notes

Turn these French Butter Cookies into a gluten-free treat, with a straightforward changeover. Embrace the approach of baking by switching out the all-purpose flour, for your chosen gluten-free flour blend. A gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum in a 1:1 ratio operates wonders faultlessly substituting the flour while preserving the cookie's prized texture and flavor untouched.
Audrey