Description
Classic butter cookies from Denmark sparkle with simplicity and pure flavor. Rich ingredients combine effortlessly to create delicate, melt-in-your-mouth treats you will savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (240 ml) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar (or powdered sugar for a softer texture)
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar (for dusting)
- ½ cup (60 g) chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Position the oven rack to the center and warm to 350F (175C), then line a baking sheet with parchment paper for effortless cookie removal.
- Butter Fusion: Whip butter and sugar together until the mixture transforms into a fluffy, pale cream with a silky smooth consistency, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
- Dough Crafting: Incorporate flour into the butter mixture, gently folding until a cohesive dough emerges. If the texture seems too crumbly, introduce a minimal amount of milk to achieve the ideal pliable consistency.
- Shaping Technique: Craft uniform dough balls using a tablespoon, positioning them strategically on the prepared baking sheet with adequate spacing to allow for gentle spreading during baking.
- Decorative Imprinting: Gently press a fork across each dough ball, creating an elegant crosshatch pattern that not only enhances visual appeal but also promotes even heat distribution during baking.
- Baking Precision: Transfer the cookie-laden sheet into the preheated oven, monitoring for 10-12 minutes until the edges acquire a delicate golden hue, signaling perfect doneness.
- Cooling Protocol: Let the freshly baked cookies rest momentarily on the baking sheet to stabilize, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture development.
- Serving Suggestion: Present the cookies in their classic form or elevate with a light snowfall of powdered sugar, adding a touch of refined sweetness to the simple yet delightful treat.
Notes
- Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better cookie texture, avoiding cold or melted butter that can affect dough consistency.
- Gentle Mixing Technique: Mix flour gently to prevent gluten development, which could make cookies tough instead of delicately crisp and tender.
- Spacing Is Critical: Leave enough space between cookie dough balls (about 2 inches) to allow proper spreading and prevent cookies from merging during baking.
- Cooling Protocol: Let cookies rest on baking sheet briefly to set structure, then transfer to wire rack to prevent soggy bottoms and maintain crisp edges.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 144
- Sugar: 4.8 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 10.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 6.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15.9 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.3 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg