Description
Homemade Danish butter cookies showcase delicate pastry perfection from Denmark. Crisp, buttery rounds create sweet memories with simple ingredients and classic charm you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large egg
- 227 grams (8 oz) unsalted butter (at room temperature)
- 100 grams (3.5 oz) granulated sugar
- 284 grams (10 oz) all-purpose flour
- 1.5 teaspoons (7.5 ml) vanilla extract
- 0.25 teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
- Additional granulated sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent cookie adhesion during baking.
- In a mixing bowl, cream unsalted butter and granulated sugar using medium speed for 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes light and airy, creating a smooth foundation for the cookies.
- Integrate salt, vanilla extract, and egg into the butter-sugar mixture, blending thoroughly for about one minute to ensure uniform distribution of ingredients.
- Gently fold in all-purpose flour at low speed, mixing carefully to avoid developing excess gluten. Use a rubber spatula for final mixing, creating a thick, cohesive dough that holds its shape.
- Load the cookie dough into a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip, carefully forming 2-inch circular shapes on the prepared baking sheets. Delicately sprinkle additional granulated sugar over the piped dough for a crystalline finish.
- Bake one sheet at a time in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, watching for a light golden brown color that indicates perfect doneness and optimal flavor development.
- Remove cookies from the oven and allow complete cooling on the baking sheet. Once cooled, transfer to an airtight container for storage or serve immediately to enjoy their delicate, buttery texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for smoother creaming and better cookie texture, ensuring it’s soft but not melted.
- Avoid overmixing the dough after adding flour to prevent tough, dense cookies that lose their delicate, crumbly Danish cookie character.
- Chill the piped cookie dough for 10-15 minutes before baking to help maintain their intricate star-shaped design and prevent spreading.
- Experiment with flavor variations by adding almond extract, citrus zest, or rolling in crushed nuts for a personalized twist on the classic recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Danish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 168 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 27 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg