French Salted Butter Cookies Recipe
French Salted Butter Cookies are classic French treats known for their delicate texture, rich buttery flavor, and a subtle hint of flaky sea salt that perfectly balances sweetness. These melt-in-your-mouth cookies offer a tender crumb with a gentle crunch and a whisper of vanilla, making them an elegant and timeless snack or dessert that pairs beautifully with tea, coffee, or dessert wines.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt (plus more for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, which takes about 3 to 5 minutes, to incorporate air for a lighter texture.
- Add Vanilla: Mix in the pure vanilla extract until fully combined to enhance the cookie’s flavor.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed or folding in gently with a spatula until just combined. The dough should become soft but not sticky.
- Shape and Chill Dough: Shape the dough into a 2-inch diameter log. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up, which helps prevent spreading during baking.
- Slice Dough: After chilling, cut the dough log into 1/4-inch thick rounds using a sharp knife for even slices.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the cookie rounds spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet and lightly sprinkle each with flaky sea salt to add a delicate salty crunch.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges turn pale golden while the centers remain lighter in color.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing the texture to set perfectly.
Notes
- Use softened butter—softened but not melted—to ensure proper creaming and the ideal texture.
- Chill the dough well to prevent spreading and achieve thicker cookies.
- Slice dough evenly with a sharp knife to ensure uniform baking.
- Do not overbake; cookies should remain pale with golden edges to avoid dryness.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks or freeze for up to three months.
- Experiment with dipping cookies in chocolate, adding nuts or citrus zest, or sandwiching with jam or ganache for variations.
Keywords: French salted butter cookies, butter cookies, French cookies, baking cookies, flaky sea salt cookies, classic French dessert, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, vanilla butter cookies
Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/french-salted-butter-cookies-recipe/
