World’s Best Butter Cookies Crisp, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, World’s Best Butter Cookies | Easy Homemade Cookie Recipe Ingredients 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened ¾ cup (90 g) powdered sugar 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour 1 tsp vanilla extract ¼ tsp salt Optional: zest of 1 lemon or orange for a hint of freshness Instructions Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes). Add vanilla and mix again. Add Dry Ingredients: Sift together flour and salt, then add gradually to the butter mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms. If dough feels too crumbly, add 1–2 tsp of milk. Shape the Cookies: Roll into 1-inch balls and press lightly with a fork, or Pipe into shapes using a star-tipped piping bag for that classic Danish cookie look. Chill (Important!): Place shaped cookies on a baking tray, cover, and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes — this helps them hold shape and bake evenly. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake cookies for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Cool & Enjoy: Let cool on a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar or dip half in melted chocolate for an elegant touch. Tips for Perfect Butter Cookies Always use room-temperature butter — it creams better. Chill the dough before baking for crisp edges. Store in an airtight tin; flavor deepens after a day! Flavor Variations Lemon Butter Cookies: Add lemon zest and 1 tsp lemon juice. Chocolate Dipped: Dip in melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed nuts. Nutty Twist: Add finely chopped almonds or pecans to the dough. Storage Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. They also freeze perfectly for up to 3 months.
