There’s nothing quite like a batch of Butter Cookies to bring holiday cheer to your kitchen. These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are deliciously simple and perfect for decorating with sprinkles, icing, or colored sugar. Great for holiday gatherings, gifting, or simply enjoying with family, these cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat. Let’s dive into this classic recipe and create some holiday magic!
Butter Cookies Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: About 30 cookies (depending on size)
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or almond extract for extra flavor)
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Holiday sprinkles or colored sugar for decoration
Instructions:
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until the dough forms. The dough will be soft and smooth.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, wrap each half in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape when baking.
- Shape the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters to cut out shapes, and place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
- Decorate: Sprinkle the cookies with holiday sprinkles, colored sugar, or leave them plain if you’d like to decorate with icing after baking.
- Bake: Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden. Keep an eye on them, as butter cookies can brown quickly. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Decorate and Serve: Once cooled, you can add additional decorations like icing or melted chocolate for even more festive flair. Enjoy these classic butter cookies with family and friends!
Tips for the Best Festive Butter Cookies
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough prevents spreading and helps the cookies maintain their shape.
- Use Quality Butter: Butter is the main flavor, so using high-quality butter makes a big difference in taste.
- Get Creative with Toppings: Decorate with sprinkles, colored sugar, icing, or even dip in chocolate for extra holiday magic!
Serving and Storing
These festive butter cookies make fantastic holiday gifts, and they’re perfect for cookie exchanges! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for up to a month .