Description
Classic Danish butter cookies bring pure joy to sweet-seeking palates with their delicate, golden crunch. Rich buttery flavors melt in your mouth, whisking you straight to a charming Copenhagen bakery where simple ingredients create extraordinary happiness.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) unsalted butter
- 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cream butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until smooth and fluffy using a mixer or whisk. Ensure the mixture becomes light and airy.
- Incorporate egg yolk into the creamed mixture, beating until fully blended. Scrape bowl sides to ensure even mixing.
- Gently fold all-purpose flour into the butter mixture, mixing minimally to prevent tough cookie texture. Stop when dough just begins to come together.
- Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until smooth and consistent. Aim for a firm yet pliable consistency.
- Form dough into a cylindrical log approximately 2 inches in diameter. Tightly wrap in plastic film and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or freeze for future use. Chilling helps maintain cookie shape and enhances flavor profile.
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure uniform baking.
- Cut chilled dough log into thin 1/8-inch rounds. Arrange slices on prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart to allow proper expansion during baking.
- Bake for 16-18 minutes until cookie edges turn delicately golden. Monitor closely during final baking minutes to avoid over-browning.
- Remove from oven and let cookies rest on baking sheet for several minutes. Transfer to wire rack for complete cooling. Serve at room temperature with beverage of choice.
Notes
- Softening butter at room temperature ensures smooth, creamy mixing without overworking the dough.
- Chilling the dough develops deeper flavor and prevents cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Use high-quality unsalted butter for the richest, most pure butter cookie taste and better control of salt content.
- Slice cookies uniformly to guarantee even baking and consistent texture across the entire batch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 130 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 43 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg