Description
Sweet, crumbly butter cookies from Italian kitchens promise pure deliciousness in every golden bite. Delicate shortbread-style treats melt quickly, delivering rich buttery comfort that beckons you to savor each heavenly morsel.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) powdered sugar
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Finishing Ingredient:
- Granulated sugar (optional, for coating)
Instructions
- Cream softened butter and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl until the mixture becomes airy and pale, incorporating vanilla extract thoroughly.
- Carefully sift flour, cornstarch, and salt together in a separate bowl to ensure smooth texture and eliminate potential lumps.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, gently mixing until a cohesive, soft dough forms without overmixing.
- Roll the dough into a uniform cylindrical log, tightly wrap with plastic film, and refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes to firm up and enhance flavor development.
- Preheat oven to 325F (160C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for even heat distribution.
- Remove chilled dough log and slice into uniform 1/2-inch thick rounds using a sharp knife, ensuring consistent cookie sizes.
- Arrange cookie slices on prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to allow proper heat circulation.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, monitoring closely until cookie edges turn delicately golden and tops remain pale.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to complete cooling process.
Notes
- Softening butter at room temperature ensures smooth, even mixing and prevents a lumpy dough texture.
- Sifting dry ingredients eliminates clumps and creates a more delicate, tender cookie with consistent texture.
- Chilling the dough helps cookies maintain their shape and develops a richer, more concentrated flavor during baking.
- For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or coconut flour, adjusting liquid content slightly to maintain dough consistency.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 22 mg