Description
These classic Christmas Butter Cookies are buttery, tender, and perfect for holiday celebrations. Made with simple ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, and vanilla, these cookies are piped into elegant swirls and baked to a light golden perfection. They can be decorated with melted chocolate and festive sprinkles to add a delightful holiday touch.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 egg yolks
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons milk (optional)
Optional Decoration
- Melted chocolate
- Festive sprinkles
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set this mixture aside to incorporate later.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes and ensures a tender cookie.
- Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla: Beat in the egg yolks and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender. If the dough feels too stiff, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to loosen it slightly.
- Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Form Cookies: Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe 1½-inch swirls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking.
- Cool and Decorate: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, dip them in melted chocolate and sprinkle with festive sprinkles for a beautiful holiday presentation.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and better texture.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, you can shape the dough into balls and flatten slightly before baking.
- The optional milk helps if the dough is too dry or crumbly for piping.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Decorate with white or dark chocolate for a different flavor profile.
- To make the cookies extra festive, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough.
