Old Fashioned Butter Cookies

Old Fashioned Butter Cookies are a Christmas favorite. These crisp yet tender buttery cookies are easy to make and are perfect for holiday gifting or bringing to a cookie exchange.

Traditional butter cookies are a holiday classic.

This recipe works because:

• It's simple and easy to follow, and the cookies turn out rich and delicious every time, just like the ones you'd find in grandma’s kitchen.

We like to say they're like shortbread cookies with a softer texture.

The buttery vanilla flavor is perfect for any occasion—from Christmas parties to birthday celebrations.

Christmas cookies are a holiday season staple. We love making decorated Christmas Cookies and Snowball Cookies as a family tradition. 

Jump to:

• Ingredient Notes
• Variations
• Step-By-Step Instructions
• Piping Tip to Use
• Butter cookie recipe tips and tricks
• Recipe FAQs
• Gifting ideas
• More Christmas Cookie Recipes
• Printable Recipe

Ingredient Notes

Here are the simple ingredients you'll need to make baked old-fashioned butter cookies:

• unsalted butter - we like to use unsalted butter so we can control the amount of salt in the finished recipe. You’ll need to soften this to room temperature.
• white granulated sugar - these cookies are sweet, but not too sweet, which makes them the perfect holiday cookie.
• pure vanilla extract - as one of the main flavors of the cookies, we like pure vanilla extract (versus imitation) since it provides the best flavor.
• large egg - the egg adds structure, stability, and flavor. Make sure to take the egg out of the refrigerator prior to making the recipe to get it to room temperature.
• all-purpose flour - so that the dough is the right density, make sure to spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it with a knife. Scooping out the flour with the measuring cup compacts the flour and skews the final measurement.
• salt - the salt offsets the sugar and rounds out the flavor.
• milk - the milk thins the recipe just a bit, so it's easy to pipe. It doesn't matter what type of milk you use. Whole milk or low-fat milk is fine.

Find the full printable recipe card below.

Also, note that you will need to refrigerate the dough after it's piped into cookies for 30 minutes, so factor this into your overall timing.

Optional toppings:

• Good quality semi-sweet chocolate morsels, white chocolate morsels, or candy melts.
• Festive sprinkles.

Variations

• Butterscotch Butter Cookies - follow the main recipe, but substitute ½ cup packed brown sugar for the granulated sugar. 
• Lemon Butter Cookies - follow the main recipe, adding 1½ teaspoons finely grated lemon zest to the creamed butter and sugar. 

Step-By-Step Instructions

These yummy cookies are such a treat during the holidays and so easy to make!

Prep

Make space in your refrigerator to chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes on a baking sheet before baking them.

Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Or leave them unlined. No need to grease the pans.

Step 1 - Cream the butter and sugar

Add the softened butter and granulated sugar to a large bowl and cream them together with a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment at medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy—about 2 minutes. Scrap down the bowl.

Step 2 - Add egg and vanilla

Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix at high speed until well combined. Scrape down the bowl.

Step 3 - Add flour, salt, and milk

Add the salt and flour to the bowl, mixing on a low speed until the dough comes together. Turn up to high speed and beat until completely combined.

On medium speed, beat in 1½ tablespoons of milk. You want a dough that’s creamy and pipe-able (but still thick). NOTE: It may take up to 2 or 2.5 tablespoons of milk to get the right consistency.

Step 4 - Pipe Cookies

Place the dough in a piping bag fitted with a large star tip and pipe 1-2 inch swirls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or use a Silpat baking mat. Keep them about 2 inches apart.

Alternatively, you can use a cookie scoop to place the cookie dough on the baking sheet. 

Place the baking sheet in the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes

Step 5 - Bake

In the meantime, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. or 177 degrees C. Place the oven rack in the center position. Bake cookies for 12-15 minutes in your preheated oven until the edges turn almost golden brown.

PRO TIP: If you are making smaller cookies, they will be done in 10-12 minutes.

Erin

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Optional Chocolate Topping: Place chocolate morsels in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Melt in 30-second increments in the microwave, stirring after each increment until completely melted. Dip the cooled cookies in chocolate and top with sprinkles, if using. Allow the chocolate to set completely at room temperature for about 1 hour or in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

Piping Tip to Use

Since this dough is thick, it's best to use a ½-inch opening for your piping tip. Yes, that's big, but it's the easiest to pipe the dough. Here are some recommendations:

Wilton 8B Piping Tip
Ateco #849 Piping Tip
Ateco #826 Piping Tip

Butter cookie recipe tips and tricks

• Use better-quality unsalted butter for the best results. We always say the better the quality of the ingredients, the better the end result!
• Make sure you place the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes; otherwise, it will spread too much. 
• Using a cookie scoop to make drop cookies is an excellent option if you don’t have a piping bag or a cookie press. You will still need to place the dough in the refrigerator before baking. You may want to flatter the coolies slightly to give them a nice shape.

PRO TIP: Store different flavored cookies separately so the stronger flavors don't overpower the milder ones.

Ritika

Recipe FAQs

Gifting ideas

• You can place your Old-Fashioned Butter Cookies in a cookie tin or a cellphone bag tied with a ribbon to gift to friends and loved ones. 

Another holiday gift idea is Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies in a jar.

More Christmas Cookie Recipes

Add these tasty treats to your cookie tray and get in the holiday spirit! However, Butter Cookies are one of those vintage recipes you'll make again and again.

Let us know what you think!

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Printable Recipe