French Butter Cookies
These classic French butter cookies, or ‘sablés,’ are crisp on the edges, tender in the center, and full of rich, buttery flavor. Easy enough for beginners, they bring a touch of Parisian bakery magic to your home kitchen.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Optional: Turbinado sugar for sprinkling
- Optional: 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon or orange zest
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, until pale, fluffy, and creamy.
- Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract (and zest, if using). Beat until fully combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing on low or folding with a spatula just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat or roll out to about 1/4-inch thickness. If too soft, chill for 10-15 minutes. Cut out cookies with a 2-inch round cutter or glass, re-rolling scraps as needed.
- Arrange cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart. Sprinkle with granulated or turbinado sugar if desired. Optionally, press a fork in a criss-cross pattern on each cookie.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 12-15 minutes, until edges are just golden.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For best flavor, use high-quality European-style butter. Chilling the dough for 10-15 minutes helps cookies hold their shape. Add citrus zest for a bright twist, or dip cooled cookies in chocolate for a special treat. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (about 30g)
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 13
- Fiber: 0.3
- Protein: 1.5
Keywords: French butter cookies, sablé, easy butter cookies, homemade biscuits, French cookies, classic cookies, Parisian bakery, tea cookies, holiday cookies, buttery cookies