Crunchy Golden French Butter Cookies Recipe: A Baking Delight

Buttery, delicate, and utterly irresistible, these classic French butter cookies dance with a delightful French butter cookies recipe that captures the essence of Parisian pastry charm.

Every golden-edged morsel promises a rich, melt-in-your-mouth experience straight from traditional French kitchens.

Crafted with simple ingredients, these cookies embody elegance in their purest form.

The delicate texture whispers of careful preparation and time-honored techniques.

Each bite transports you to a quaint café along the cobblestone streets of France.

Bakers seeking an authentic taste of French culinary tradition will find pure joy in these crisp, delectable treats.

Get ready to transform your kitchen into a slice of French pastry paradise.

Mix Buttery Dough for That Crisp Finish

• Whip Up the Base

Blend softened butter and sugar until super creamy and airy. Add egg yolk and vanilla, mixing until everything looks smooth and silky.

• Create Cookie Dough

Gradually fold flour into the mixture, working gently until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix – you want a tender texture.

• Chill and Rest

Shape dough into a flat circle, wrap in plastic, and let it relax in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This helps the flavors meld and makes rolling easier.

• Prepare for Baking

Heat oven to 350F. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

• Roll and Cut

On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to create your favorite shapes. Transfer delicate rounds onto prepared baking sheets.

• Optional Golden Touch

Brush cookie tops with egg wash for a beautiful shine and golden color.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide cookies into the oven and bake 12-15 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden brown. Let them cool briefly on the baking sheet before moving to a wire rack.

Tips for Even Browning and Rich Flavor

• Brush cookies with beaten egg yolk for a stunning, professional-looking sheen that makes your French butter cookies shine.
• Prepare dough up to 3 days in advance and store wrapped in refrigerator, allowing easy baking when unexpected guests arrive or sweet cravings hit.
• Swap traditional wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend to create delectable cookies suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Experiment with zesty additions like orange zest, lavender, or ground cardamom to elevate the classic butter cookie with subtle, sophisticated undertones.
• Keep cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture and prevent sticking.

Serve With Coffee or on Cookie Platters

• Cozy Tea-Time Companions: Pair these delicate French butter cookies with a steaming cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea for a classic afternoon treat.
• Sweet Dessert Plate Elegance: Arrange cookies on a decorative platter with fresh berries, a light dusting of powdered sugar, and a few mint leaves for an elegant presentation.
• Gifting Delights: Package the cookies in a beautiful vintage tin or clear cellophane bag tied with a ribbon, making them a charming homemade gift for friends and family during holidays or special occasions.
• Ice Cream Sandwich: Create a decadent dessert by sandwiching a small scoop of vanilla bean or lavender ice cream between two cookies for a delightful summer indulgence.

Store in Tins to Keep Fresh

• Store cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 7 days, keeping them crisp and delectable. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap unbaked cookie dough in plastic film, then aluminum foil. Freeze for 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before rolling and baking for fresh-tasting treats.
• Prepare dough up to 3 days before baking and refrigerate. This technique allows flavor development and convenient scheduling for busy home bakers.
• Add a small piece of bread to cookie storage container to maintain softness and prevent excessive dryness. Replace bread slice every few days to keep cookies perfect.

FAQs

• Are French Butter Cookies difficult to make?

No, they’re quite simple. You just need basic ingredients like butter, sugar, flour, and an egg yolk. The process involves creaming butter, mixing ingredients, chilling the dough, and baking.

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or eliminate the additional salt in the recipe. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the saltiness, but salted butter works fine if that’s what you have.

• How thin should I roll the dough?

Roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. This ensures even baking and the classic delicate texture of French butter cookies. Use a rolling pin and lightly floured surface for best results.

• What's the key to getting a perfect texture?

Chilling the dough is crucial. It prevents spreading during baking and helps the cookies maintain their shape. Refrigerate for at least an hour before cutting and baking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 24

French Butter Cookie Ingredient Breakdown

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and essential texture for classic French cookies.
• Sugar: Creates sweetness and helps develop golden, crisp edges during baking.
• Egg Yolk: Adds moisture, richness, and helps bind the cookie dough together.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic undertones.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structural foundation of the delicate, crumbly cookie.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies the butter's natural flavor profile.

• Egg Yolk (For Wash): Creates beautiful golden sheen and glossy appearance on cookie surface.
• Water (For Wash): Helps egg yolk spread evenly and achieve perfect golden color.

Tools That Shape and Bake These Classic Treats

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for achieving light, fluffy butter and sugar mixture.
• Rolling pin: Helps roll out dough evenly to desired thickness.
• Cookie cutter: Creates uniform, round shapes for classic French butter cookies.
• Baking sheets: Provides even heat distribution for perfectly golden cookies.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and ensures easy cookie removal.
• Pastry brush: Used for applying egg wash to give cookies a beautiful golden shine.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and maintain crisp texture.
• Plastic wrap: Used for chilling and storing dough.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.

Crispy French Butter Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Classic French butter cookies (sablés) embody Brittany’s rich culinary heritage. Crisp, buttery rounds melt delightfully, inviting you to savor France’s sweet simplicity.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (470 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (230 g or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp water (for egg wash)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Creaming: Vigorously whip softened butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, creating an aerated foundation for the delicate cookies.
2. Flavor Integration: Blend egg yolk and vanilla essence into the butter mixture, ensuring a smooth and homogeneous texture that promises rich, aromatic undertones.
3. Dough Formation: Gently fold flour and salt into the wet ingredients, carefully working the mixture until a uniform, pliable dough emerges without over-mixing.
4. Chilling Phase: Shape the dough into a compact disk, wrap securely in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour to enhance flavor development and improve texture.
5. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating an optimal surface for even baking.
6. Shaping: Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to a uniform quarter-inch thickness, ensuring consistent cookie texture and appearance.
7. Cutting and Glazing: Cut precise cookie shapes, arrange on prepared baking sheets with ample spacing, and delicately brush with egg yolk for a glossy, golden-brown finish.
8. Baking Process: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for pale golden edges that indicate perfect doneness and delicate crisp texture.
9. Cooling and Serving: Transfer cookies to a wire rack immediately after removing from the oven, allowing complete cooling to achieve optimal crispness and flavor development.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened but not melted, creating the perfect creamy texture for light, airy cookies.
• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerating dough allows gluten to relax and prevents spreading, resulting in crisp, beautiful cookie shapes.
• Egg Wash Magic: Brushing with egg yolk creates a stunning golden sheen and adds a professional bakery-like finish to the cookies.
• Precise Thickness Counts: Roll dough to exactly 1/4 inch for consistent baking and achieving the classic French butter cookie texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg