Butter Cookies Recipe | Easy Christmas Cookie Delight

There’s something magical about baking butter cookies when winter lights twinkle outside. The air smells of sugar and vanilla, and the warm oven hums like a promise of comfort. These golden cookies, with crisp edges and soft centers, melt in your mouth and pair beautifully with hot cocoa or coffee. Best of all, the dough comes together easily — no chilling, no fuss, just simple holiday joy.

Why You’ll Love These Butter Cookies

These butter cookies shine for their rich flavor, soft texture, and simplicity. With just a few pantry staples, you get cookies that taste bakery-quality yet feel homemade. They hold their piped shape perfectly, making them ideal for gifting or decorating. You can keep them classic or dress them up with chocolate and sprinkles for a festive touch. Also, they’re easy for beginners — no fancy steps, just buttery bliss in every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Unsalted butter (1 cup / 226 g): Softened for smooth mixing; European butter adds depth and richness.
• Granulated sugar (¾ cup / 150 g): Brings sweetness and a light crunch.
• Egg yolk (1 large): Adds richness and helps bind the dough.
• Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Essential for that cozy bakery aroma.
• Salt (¼ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and highlights butter flavor.
• All-purpose flour (2 cups + 2 tablespoons / 265 g): Gives structure while keeping the crumb tender.
• Optional: Dark chocolate chips (1 cup / 170 g), vegetable shortening (½ teaspoon), and colorful sprinkles for dipping and decorating.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Butter Cookies

Step 1 – Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C). Then, cream butter and sugar together until smooth and fluffy. This step traps air, giving your cookies a light, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Take your time here — the mix should look pale and creamy before moving on.

Step 2 – Add the Egg Yolk, Vanilla, and Salt

Next, mix in the egg yolk, vanilla, and salt. The egg yolk brings tenderness, while vanilla fills your kitchen with that nostalgic holiday scent. Stir until everything looks fully combined and silky.

Step 3 – Add the Flour

Gradually add flour to avoid lumps and overmixing. Blend until the dough just comes together. It should be soft but not sticky. If it feels too thick to pipe, your butter may have been too cold or the flour over-measured,don’t worry, a quick fix comes later.

Step 4 – Pipe and Bake

Spoon half the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip (like Ateco 827). Pipe swirls or rings onto an ungreased baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden. Then, let them cool on the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a rack.

Step 5 – Cool and Optional Chocolate Dip

While the cookies cool, melt chocolate chips and shortening together in the microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring until smooth. Dip each cooled cookie halfway into the chocolate, shake off the excess, and add sprinkles if you like. Let them set on parchment, or chill for 15 minutes if you’re in a hurry.

Pro Tips for Perfect Butter Cookies

Use butter that’s soft but not melted — it should give slightly when pressed. Creaming it well is key for that tender crumb. Always measure flour with a spoon-and-level method to avoid adding too much. Also, pipe only half the dough at once to make handling easier. If the dough feels stiff, warm it briefly with your hands or add a splash of milk, though this can slightly mellow the flavor. And if piping feels tricky, scoop and flatten with a fork instead — still delicious!

Storage and Shelf Life

Once baked and cooled, store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and crisp for up to 2–3 weeks. Chocolate-dipped cookies should be kept in a cool place or refrigerated in warm climates. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to two months; just layer them between parchment sheets.

Butter Cookies vs. Sugar Cookies

Butter cookies contain more butter, giving them a delicate crumb and richer flavor. They’re often piped into shapes instead of rolled and cut. Sugar cookies, on the other hand, are sturdier and made for cut-out designs and frosting. Shortbread is similar but has no egg, creating a crumbly, melt-away texture rather than the tender chew of butter cookies.

Common Butter Cookie Questions

Serving and Presentation Ideas

Serve these golden cookies on a holiday platter with Chocolate Crinkle Cookies for Classic Christmas Treats or pair them with peppermint cocoa. For gifting, arrange them in tins lined with parchment or stack them in cellophane bags tied with ribbon. Dipped half in chocolate, they look especially festive. You can even dust them with powdered sugar for a snowy effect.

More Such Recipes

• Chewy Pumpkin Cookies for Cozy Fall and Winter Baking
• Peppermint Bark Brownies for Holiday Dessert Platters
• 4th of July Crinkle Cookies with Festive Colors
• Snickerdoodle Cookies Recipe for Holiday Cookie Exchanges
• Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars with Easy Decorating
• Pistachio Pudding Cookies for a Colorful Holiday Twist

Conclusion

These butter cookies are everything a Christmas treat should be — simple, buttery, and beautiful. They fill your home with warmth and nostalgia, the kind that lingers long after the last bite. Bake a batch for your family, gift a few to friends, and share the comfort that only homemade cookies can bring. And for more festive inspiration, visit Kai Recipes on Pinterest or join the community on Facebook.

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