Tender and delicious butter cookies perfect for holidays or everyday treats
These Buttery Swirl Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth delights that pair wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea. Whether you enjoy them plain or use them as a base for decorating holiday cookies, these classic butter cookies are incredibly versatile. Similar to spritz cookies, they are piped into elegant swirl shapes and can be customized to suit any festivity or special occasion.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Butter: As the star ingredient in this butter cookies recipe, you’ll need 1 cup (2 sticks / 227 grams) of unsalted butter. The perfect ratio of butter to all-purpose flour ensures a solid and reliable cookie dough.
Sugar: Granulated sugar is creamed with the butter until light and fluffy, giving the cookies their delightful sweetness.
Eggs: Only the egg yolks are used in this recipe, which helps make the dough easier to work with and contributes to the tender texture of these homemade butter cookies.
Milk: Adding milk a tablespoon at a time makes the dough pliable yet still slightly sticky, perfect for piping into shapes.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! To prepare the dough in advance:
- Refrigerate: Wrap the cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Pipe the cookie dough onto a lined baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Transfer the frozen dough shapes to a freezer-safe bag, label it with the date and baking instructions, and store for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, you can place them directly in the oven—just add a couple of minutes to the baking time.
Can I Make Butter Cookies Without a Piping Bag?
Yes, you can! If you don’t have a piping bag, simply spoon dollops of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. While they won’t have the classic swirl shape of piped butter cookies, they’ll still taste delicious and can be decorated as you like. This method makes for easy butter cookies that everyone can enjoy.
How to Store Butter Cookies
- At Room Temperature: Once baked, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 1 week.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Although they may last longer, the quality and taste are best within this time frame.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 230 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature (slightly cool)
- 2/3 cup (130 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2-3 tablespoons whole milk, room temperature
Instructions
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer on medium speed to cream together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Egg Yolks and Vanilla:
Mix in the egg yolks and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and kosher salt.
Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Adjust Dough Consistency:
Add whole milk to the dough, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough is thick, sticky, and well combined.
Prepare for Piping:
Due to the thick consistency, use a heavy-duty piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Alternatively, use the double-bag method by placing the dough into a piping bag without a tip, then inserting that bag into another piping bag fitted with the star tip.
Pipe the Cookies:
Pipe the dough onto the lined baking sheet in circular swirl patterns, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) between each cookie.
Bake:
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown.
Cool:
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Let the cookies cool completely before decorating or serving.
Enjoy making these classic homemade butter cookies, perfect for holidays or any time you crave a tender, buttery treat. This easy butter cookies recipe is sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire!
