Description
These Old-Fashioned Butter Cookies are a classic treat featuring a rich, buttery flavor with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Made with a combination of unsalted butter and butter-flavored shortening, along with vanilla and a hint of salt, these cookies are perfect for any occasion and can be shaped easily using a cookie press.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup butter-flavored shortening
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (up to 1 cup for sweeter cookies)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon butter emulsion (optional)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Shortening: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and butter-flavored shortening until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating a fluffy base for your cookies.
- Add Sugar and Flavorings: Gradually add the granulated sugar to the creamed fats and mix until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Then, blend in the sea salt, egg yolks, pure vanilla extract, and optional butter emulsion to enhance the rich flavor.
- Incorporate Flour: Slowly add the all-purpose flour into the wet mixture, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels too soft or sticky, chill it briefly to make it easier to handle.
- Shape Dough with Cookie Press: Use a cookie press to shape the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. After shaping, chill the shaped dough on the baking sheets for about one hour to help maintain the cookie shapes during baking.
- Bake and Cool: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For sweeter cookies, increase sugar up to 1 cup.
- Chilling the dough before baking helps maintain cookie shape and texture.
- Butter emulsion is optional but adds extra buttery flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to a week.
