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Classic Vanilla Butter Cookies

clock-icon150 minutes
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Pixicook editorial team

A timeless favorite, these vanilla butter cookies are tender and buttery with a hint of vanilla and optional lemon zest.

Ingredients for Classic Vanilla Butter Cookies

units in
USchevron
serves
48 peoplechevron

Unsalted Butter, softened

0.25 sticks

Sugar

cups

Vanilla Extract

teaspoons

Salt

teaspoons

Lemon Zest, optional

teaspoons

Egg, room temperature

each

Milk

teaspoons

Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

cups

How to Make Classic Vanilla Butter Cookies

1. Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

2. Cream Butter and Sugar

Begin by creaming together the softened butter and sugar using a mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy.

3. Add Wet Ingredients

Add the vanilla extract, salt, and lemon zest if you're using it. Crack in the egg, which should be at room temperature, and pour in the milk. Beat everything together until well combined.

4. Incorporate Flour

Gradually add the flour, stirring gently until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing to ensure the cookies remain tender.

5. Shape and Chill Dough

Divide the dough and shape it into logs with a diameter of about 1.5 inches. Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and chill them in the refrigerator for about 2 hours.

6. Slice and Bake

Once the dough is chilled, unwrap the logs and slice them into rounds about 0.25 inch thick. Place the slices on lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Transfer the cookies to the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes, or until they are golden at the edges.

7. Cool and Enjoy

Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack and enjoy the classic buttery, vanilla flavor.

Variations

Brown Butter

Instead of using regular softened butter, brown the butter until it's nutty and fragrant. Allow it to cool and solidify slightly before using. This will add a toffee-like flavor to your cookies.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Add chocolate chips to the core vanilla butter cookie dough. You can use milk, white, or dark chocolate chips, or a combination of them.

Cocoa Powder

Replace a small portion of the flour with unsweetened cocoa powder (start with 2 tablespoons) for a chocolatey version of the classic cookie.

Salted Caramel Cookies

Incorporate bits of caramel into the dough and finish with a light sprinkle of sea salt before baking.

Citrus Zest

Add the zest of one lemon or orange to the dough for a bright, citrusy flavor. This pairs wonderfully with the vanilla and gives the cookies a refreshing twist.

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