Best Worlds Best Butter Cookies Recipes

BUTTER COOKIES

Butter Cookies image

This great butter cookie recipe is a favorite of my nephews, who love the creamy frosting. -Ruth Griggs, South Hill, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Desserts

Time 35m

Yield about 6-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 4 tablespoons 2% milk
Red food coloring, optional

Steps:

Preheat oven to 375°. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture., Using a cookie press fitted with a heart disk, press dough 1 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake until set but not brown, 6-8 minutes. Cool on wire racks., For frosting, beat butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to reach a spreading consistency. If desired, tint with food coloring. Decorate cookies as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 157 calories, Fat 7g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 24mg cholesterol, Sodium 99mg sodium, Carbohydrate 22g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

THE BEST BUTTER COOKIES

The Best Butter Cookies image

Your search is over -- this perfect butter cookie will stay in your recipe box for years. It's crisp, yet tender and perfect for tea for two or cookies for Santa. Plus, you have the choice to make drop cookies or a slice-and-bake version!

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories dessert

Time 45m

Yield 36 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour (see Cook's Note)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 sticks (16 tablespoons) good-quality unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup turbinado sugar

Steps:

Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add the butter and granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on high speed for a full 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl halfway through the mixing; the butter should be very light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat on medium speed until well combined. Add half the dry ingredients and beat on low speed to combine. Scrape down the mixing bowl before adding the remaining dry ingredients and beat to combine. Refrigerate for 1 hour in the bowl for drop cookies, or form into a 1-inch log for slice-and-bake cookies.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the turbinado sugar in a small bowl. For drop cookies, scoop the cookie dough with a 1 tablespoon-size cookie scoop and then dip the tops of the cookie dough balls into the sugar. Place onto the prepared baking sheet.
For slice-and-bake cookies, cut the log into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Press the tops into the sugar and place on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the cookies until slightly puffed and lightly golden on the bottom, about 15 minutes.