Here’s a classic, foolproof recipe for The World’s Best Butter Cookies—rich, melt-in-your-mouth, and full of that pure buttery flavor everyone loves. Simple ingredients, perfect texture, and just the right sweetness.
🍪 World’s Best Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar (for a melt-in-your-mouth texture)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for a slight crisp bite)
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Optional add-ins or toppings:
- Coarse sugar for sprinkling
- Chocolate drizzle or dip
- Lemon or almond extract (in place of or in addition to vanilla)
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugars:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy and light—about 2–3 minutes.
- Add egg yolk and flavoring:
- Beat in the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and salt until fully incorporated.
- Add flour:
- Gradually mix in the flour on low speed or by hand, just until the dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Chill (important!):
- Form the dough into a log or flatten into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days). This helps the cookies keep their shape.
- Shape and bake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness (if using cookie cutters) or slice your log into rounds.
- Place cookies 1 inch apart. Sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are just barely golden.
- Cool & enjoy:
- Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Tips for Success
- Use high-quality butter—this is the star of the show.
- Don’t overbake—aim for pale tops and light golden edges.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or citrus zest for a twist.