Description
Delight in these classic Christmas Butter Cookies, featuring a rich, buttery flavor and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfectly piped into elegant swirls, these festive treats are easy to bake and can be beautifully decorated with melted chocolate and sprinkles for holiday cheer.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large egg yolks
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp milk (optional)
Optional Decorations
- Melted chocolate
- Festive sprinkles
Instructions
- Mix flour and salt: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour and salt until well combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add egg yolks and vanilla; mix well: Incorporate the egg yolks and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture. Continue beating until the ingredients are fully combined and smooth.
- Stir in flour mixture until just combined: Gradually add the flour and salt mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C): Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Pipe 1½-inch swirls on a parchment-lined pan: Using a piping bag fitted with a star tip or your preferred nozzle, pipe 1½-inch diameter swirls of dough evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn lightly golden brown.
- Cool, dip in melted chocolate, and sprinkle: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, optionally dip cookies into melted chocolate and decorate with festive sprinkles to add a holiday touch.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the butter is softened to room temperature before creaming.
- If dough feels too stiff, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk to help achieve the right consistency for piping.
- Use a piping bag with a star tip for classic cookie swirls.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- These cookies freeze well; thaw before decorating.
