Description
These classic Christmas Butter Cookies are rich, buttery, and tender with a delicate vanilla flavor. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they are easy to make and bake into golden, fork-flattened delights that melt in your mouth. Ideal for sharing or gifting during the festive season.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up while you prepare the dough, ensuring even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar. In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and white sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and fluffy, creating a light base for your cookies.
- Add Egg and Vanilla. Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, mixing thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Mix Dry Ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to distribute them evenly before gradually stirring this into the wet ingredients to form a smooth dough.
- Form Dough Balls. Roll the dough into small, even-sized balls and arrange them spaced apart on ungreased cookie sheets to allow room for spreading.
- Flatten Dough Balls. Use a fork to gently press down each ball, creating a patterned, flat surface that helps them bake evenly.
- Bake Cookies. Place the cookie sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the cookies are set.
- Cool Cookies. Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely, allowing them to firm up and maintain their shape.
Notes
- Use softened butter, not melted, for the ideal texture in cookies.
- Do not grease the cookie sheets, as the butter in the dough prevents sticking and helps achieve a crisp base.
- Flatten the cookies evenly to ensure uniform baking and a classic fork pattern.
- For a festive touch, sprinkle colored sugar or cinnamon sugar before baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
