Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
Coarse sugar or colored sugar, for sprinkling
Instructions
1-Make the dough: Soften butter, cream with sugar until fluffy, mix in vanilla, salt, egg yolk, then gently stir in flour; chill dough 1-2 hours.
2-Cut out the dough: Roll chilled dough between parchment to 1/8 inch thick, cut with floured cutters, place on lined sheet; chill if soft. Alternatively, shape into log and slice.
3-Bake the cookies: Sprinkle with coarse sugar, bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until edges are barely golden, cool on sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack. Decorate if desired.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🧈 Use high-quality European-style butter with at least 80% butterfat for the richest flavor and best texture.
❄️ Chill the dough for at least 1 to 2 hours — this is non-negotiable for preventing spread and keeping cut-out shapes clean and defined.
⚖️ Measure flour using the spoon-and-level method or a kitchen scale; too much flour makes dry, dense cookies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg