Description
These Soft Butter Cookies are tender, melt-in-your-mouth treats with a delicate buttery flavor and a crisp, golden edge. Perfectly piped into rosettes, they provide a delightful texture with a buttery richness enhanced by just a hint of vanilla. Whether enjoyed plain or topped with fruit jam or melted chocolate, these cookies make an irresistible addition to any dessert table.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons milk, plus more if needed
Optional Toppings
- Fruit jam
- Melted chocolate
Instructions
- Preheat oven: 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 sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will help create a tender texture in the cookies.
- Add egg yolks and vanilla: Mix in the egg yolks and vanilla extract until fully combined, enhancing the flavor and richness of the dough.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing on low speed until large crumbles form, ensuring the flour is well distributed without overmixing.
- Add milk and adjust dough consistency: Stir in 2 tablespoons of milk and continue mixing until the dough is sticky and smooth, resembling thick buttercream. Add a little more milk if the dough feels too dry.
- Prepare piping bag: Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip; this will create the signature rosette shape for the cookies.
- Pipe cookies: Pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheets in rosette shapes, spacing them apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Chill if needed: If the dough feels too soft or the room is warm, chill the piped cookies briefly to help maintain their shape during baking.
- Bake cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 13 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating that the cookies are cooked through but still soft inside.
- Cool completely: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet completely before removing or decorating, which helps them set and retain their shape.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect creamy texture when creaming with sugar.
- Piping the dough with an open star tip gives the cookies a beautiful decorative look, but you can use a round tip if preferred.
- Chilling the dough slightly can prevent spreading and help shape retention during baking.
- Add more milk a teaspoon at a time if the dough is too dry and crumbly to pipe smoothly.
- These cookies pair wonderfully with a small dollop of fruit jam or a drizzle of melted chocolate for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
