Simple Butter Cookies Recipe (2024)

I spent 3 days focused solely on making and testing butter cookies so I could bring you the perfect butter cookies recipe. If you want melt-in-your-mouth cookies that keep their shape, follow my foolproof recipe!

Old-Fashioned Butter Cookie Recipe

​After so much testing and perfecting, I’m excited to share with truly old-fashioned butter cookie recipe with you. I went back to the basics, just using butter, flour, sugar, vanilla and salt to create butter cookie perfection.

During my experimentation, I tried recipes with eggs and egg yolks, but even with chilling the cookies still spread too much. After all of my testing, I finally created the perfect recipe for butter cookies that will keep their shape with delicious, golden brown perfection.

Just the thought of a fresh batch of homemade butter cookies alongside a warm cup of coffee makes my mouth water and gives me a cozy feeling! Growing up, these were some of my favorite Christmas cookies and my newly perfected recipe is now getting rave reviews from my family. Pair them with these vintage chocolate peanut butter cookies for a out stand cookie platter!

What is the difference between a Butter Cookie and a shortbread cookie?

Butter cookies and shortbread cookies are similar, but not the same. The key difference between shortbread and butter cookies is the sugar-to-butter ratio. In general, shortbread cookies contain a higher fat content, while butter cookies tend to contain more sugar. Butter cookies are known for a more tender and crumbly texture, while shortbread cookies are typically denser.

Why You Will Love this Danish Butter Cookies Recipe

Nothing beats a fresh batch of homemade danish butter cookies. Here are a few of the reasons you’ll love these cookies:

• Butter cookies that keep their shape without spreading
• Made with just 6 basic ingredients
• Only 8 easy-to-follow steps
• Can easily be made into festive Christmas cookies or kept simple

Butter Cookies Recipe Ingredients

The list of ingredients for this classic recipe is short and simple. Keep reading for all my best tips and get the full recipe with measurements and instructions in the recipe card below.

• Unsalted butter:softened
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Salt

Chocolate Dip

• Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Sprinkles

Supplies

• Piping bags
• Large Open Star Piping Tip – Wilton 6B

How to make Danish Butter Cookies

During my 3 days of recipe development, I focused on making the steps as simple as possible and still yield buttery cookies that don’t spread and keep the right consistency. When you follow these foolproof steps, you’ll have perfect butter cookies every time. Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.

1. Note:The dough must freeze for 30 minutes before baking.

2. Combine butter and sugar.In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer. It will take a few minutes to come together.
3. Add remaining ingredients.Add in the vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and salt. Use the mixer until a smooth dough forms. This will also take a few minutes. If the dough isn’t clumping together, use your hands to squeeze some of the dough together and continue mixing on low. The dough will be very thick.
4. Fill piping bag.Fit a piping bag with an open star-shaped piping tip (I used a Wilton 6B) and fill it halfway with cookie dough.

5. Pipe cookies.On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, pipe small swirls. Start from the center and spiral outwards in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, depending on your preference, finishing the swirl on top of itself. Leave some space between each swirl, as the cookies will spread just slightly during baking.

6. Freeze dough.Place the dough in the freezer for 30 minutes. This step is required.
7. Bake.Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Take the lined baking sheet straight from the freezer and place in the oven. Bake butter cookies for 15-17 minutes or until they turn lightly golden around the edges. Repeat with the second prepared baking sheet.
8. Optional chocolate dip:Once the cookies have cooled, you can dip them in melted chocolate and add sprinkles if you’d like. Place the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. Start by microwaving the chocolate for 60 seconds at 50% power. Stir and then repeat for another 30-60 seconds on 50% power, continuing this process until the chocolate is melted. Dip one half of the cookie in the chocolate and place it on a silicone mat to set. Add sprinkles if desired.

Simple Butter Cookies Recipe Tips & Tricks

This homemade version of butter cookies rivals any you could get in a store. For best results, follow these tips:

• Properly measure the flour:Follow my tips below to properly measure flour. Too much flour or too little flour can drastically change the texture of your cookies.
• Be sure to chill the dough:Chilling the dough in the freezer for 30 minutes is an important step, skipping it will not yield the same results, and your cookies will be more likely to spread.
• Use a star-shaped piping tip:The best way to make these gorgeous piped cookies is with a star-shaped piped tip. I used a Wilton 6B.

Storing Danish Butter Cookies

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze butter cookies for up to 3 months in a freezer safe bag or airtight container.

Butter Cookie Recipe FAQs

More Cookie Recipes

• Homemade Peanut Butter Cookies
• Classic Jam Thumbprint Cookies
• Almond Joy Cookies
• Small Batch Chocolate Chip Cookies