Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup or 226 g), softened to the right consistency for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated Sugar (2/3 cup or 140 g), sweetness that balances the rich, buttery goodness.
- Salt (1/4 tsp), a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors.
- Large Egg Yolks (2), adding richness and a velvety texture to the dough.
- Vanilla Extract (1 1/2 tsp), aromatic essence for that classic vanilla flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 cups or 283 g), the foundation of the cookie, ensuring perfect consistency.
- Milk (2–4 tsp), adjust for desired pipe-ability, keeping the dough thick for ideal results.
- Chocolate or Candy Melts (Optional), to elevate your cookies with a decadent touch of chocolate.
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to a toasty 350 degrees, creating the perfect environment for baking perfection.
- Creamy Butter Bliss: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, blend together softened butter, granulated sugar, and a pinch of salt until heavenly combined.
- Yolk and Vanilla Dance: Introduce the large egg yolks and vanilla extract to the creamy mixture, creating a symphony of flavors.
- Flour Power: Gradually add all-purpose flour, mixing until the dough reaches a delightful crumbly consistency.
- Milk Magic: Pour in 2 tsp of milk initially, adjusting as needed for a pipe-able consistency. Be cautious not to overdo it to prevent excessive spreading.
- Piping Perfection: Transfer the divine dough into a 16-inch piping bag with a large open star tip, ensuring a consistent and appealing shape.
- Baking Ballet: Pipe the dough onto ungreased baking sheets and bake one sheet at a time until the bottoms turn a golden brown, typically 12 – 16 minutes of baking perfection.
- Cool Elegance: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before gracefully transferring them to a wire rack for complete coolness. Store these delights in an airtight container to preserve their freshness.
Tips
- Using Salted Butter: You can use salted butter and adjust the additional salt accordingly, although unsalted butter is recommended.
- Preventing Excessive Spreading: Chilling the dough for 30 minutes on the baking sheet before baking helps maintain the shape and thickness of the cookies.
- Skipping Optional Chocolate or Candy Melts: The cookies are delightful on their own, but the chocolatey addition adds an extra layer of indulgence.
- Freezing Cookie Dough: Yes, you can freeze the dough for future baking. Ensure it’s well-wrapped to maintain its freshness.
- Choosing the Piping Tip: Stick to a larger open star tip for this thick batter to achieve the best results.
Enjoy your baking adventure, and may these vanilla butter cookies bring joy to every bite!
