Butter Cookie Recipe – Easy Homemade Buttery Cookies (One Bowl)
If you’re searching for the perfect butter cookie recipe, this easy one-bowl method is exactly what you need. These homemade butter cookies are rich, tender, and full of delicious buttery flavor with a crisp edge and soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Best of all, they require simple pantry ingredients and minimal preparation, making them perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike.
This guide will show you how to make a simple butter cookies recipe that’s quick, versatile, and customizable. Whether you want classic homemade cookies, a crispy butter cookies recipe, or a traditional old fashioned butter cookie recipe, this step-by-step tutorial covers everything.
🍪 Why You’ll Love This Butter Cookie Recipe
Butter cookies are a timeless treat loved around the world for their delicate texture and rich flavor. Here’s why this recipe stands out:
- Uses one bowl for easy cleanup
- Requires simple pantry ingredients
- Rich buttery taste
- Perfectly crisp edges and tender center
- Easy to customize with flavors or shapes
- Works great as a butter cookie recipe for cookie press
- Can be adapted into 3 ingredient butter cookies or 4 ingredient butter cookies
These cookies are perfect for holidays, tea time, dessert platters, or everyday treats.
🧈 Ingredients for Easy Homemade Butter Cookies
This simple butter cookies recipe uses basic ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional Additions
- Almond extract for traditional flavor
- Chocolate chips or dip
- Sprinkles or sugar coating
- Lemon or orange zest
👉 Want fewer ingredients? This recipe easily becomes 4 ingredient butter cookies by removing salt or vanilla. You can even make 3 ingredient butter cookies using only butter, sugar, and flour.
👩🍳 How to Make Butter Cookies (One Bowl Method)
This method is quick, simple, and beginner-friendly.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, mix softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step creates the soft texture and helps achieve the perfect recipe for butter cookies that melt in your mouth.
Step 3: Add Flavoring
Mix in vanilla extract and salt until well combined.
Step 4: Add Flour
Gradually add flour and mix until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
You can shape butter cookies in several ways:
- Roll into balls and flatten
- Use cookie cutters
- Pipe using a pastry bag
- Use a cookie press for decorative shapes
This dough works perfectly as a butter cookie recipe for cookie press.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 12–15 minutes or until edges turn lightly golden.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Let cookies cool on a rack before serving. They will firm up and develop a delicate texture.
✨ Tips for Perfect Butter Cookies Every Time
✔ Use High-Quality Butter
Butter is the star ingredient, so choose high-quality butter for the best flavor.
✔ Don’t Overmix the Dough
Overmixing develops gluten and makes cookies tough.
✔ Chill Dough if Needed
If the dough becomes too soft, chill it for 20–30 minutes.
✔ Bake Until Light Golden
For soft cookies, bake lightly. For a crispy butter cookies recipe, bake slightly longer.
🍪 How to Get Different Butter Cookie Textures
One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can adjust the texture.
Soft and Tender Cookies
- Use room temperature butter
- Avoid overbaking
- Store in airtight container
Crispy Butter Cookies Recipe Style
- Roll dough thinner
- Bake longer until golden
- Use slightly more sugar for crisp edges
Recipe for Butter Cookies That Melt in Your Mouth
- Cream butter thoroughly
- Use real butter, not margarine
- Bake just until edges set
🏡 Old Fashioned Butter Cookie Recipe Variation
For a traditional homemade taste, try this old fashioned butter cookie recipe style:
- Add ½ teaspoon almond extract
- Shape cookies using a fork pattern
- Sprinkle sugar on top before baking
This gives the cookies a classic bakery-style flavor and appearance.
🇩🇰 Danish Butter Cookies Recipe Style
To create a danish butter cookies recipe variation:
- Pipe dough into rings or swirls
- Chill shaped cookies before baking
- Bake until lightly golden
These cookies are crisp, delicate, and similar to classic holiday butter cookies.
⭐ 3 Ingredient Butter Cookies (Ultra Simple Version)
For the easiest version possible, try 3 ingredient butter cookies.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
Mix, shape, and bake using the same instructions. These cookies are simple, delicious, and perfect for quick baking.
⭐ 4 Ingredient Butter Cookies (Balanced Version)
For extra flavor while keeping things simple, make 4 ingredient butter cookies by adding vanilla extract to the 3-ingredient version. This creates a richer and more aromatic cookie.
🎄 Perfect Butter Cookie Recipe for Cookie Press
This dough has the ideal consistency for decorative cookies.
Tips for Cookie Press Success:
- Chill dough slightly
- Use ungreased baking sheets
- Press evenly
- Bake immediately
This butter cookie recipe for cookie press is perfect for holidays, celebrations, and gift boxes.
🍫 Flavor Variations You Can Try
Chocolate Butter Cookies
Dip baked cookies in melted chocolate.
Lemon Butter Cookies
Add lemon zest for a fresh citrus flavor.
Almond Butter Cookies
Replace vanilla with almond extract.
Holiday Butter Cookies
Add colored sugar or sprinkles.
🧊 Storage and Freezing Tips
Room Temperature Storage
Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Freeze Cookie Dough
Freeze dough for up to 3 months. Thaw before baking.
Freeze Baked Cookies
Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
Proper storage helps maintain the texture and flavor.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my butter cookies spreading too much?
Your butter may be too soft. Chill the dough before baking.
How do I make cookies more buttery?
Use high-quality butter and avoid reducing fat.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, use a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, just reduce or omit added salt.
❤️ Why This Is the Best Butter Cookie Recipe
This recipe combines simplicity, versatility, and incredible flavor. Whether you want a simple butter cookies recipe, classic homemade cookies, or an elegant danish butter cookies recipe, this one-bowl method delivers consistent results every time.
You can make soft cookies, crispy cookies, decorative cookies, or quick 3 ingredient butter cookies depending on your needs. The recipe is beginner-friendly, adaptable, and perfect for any occasion.
⭐ Final Thoughts
This Butter Cookie Recipe – Easy Homemade Buttery Cookies (One Bowl) is a must-have for every home baker. With simple ingredients, quick preparation, and endless variations, these cookies are perfect for everyday treats, holidays, or special occasions.
From a traditional old fashioned butter cookie recipe to a modern crispy butter cookies recipe, this versatile dough gives you endless possibilities. Once you try this recipe, it will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen.
Enjoy your homemade buttery cookies! 🍪
Ingredients
MAIN INGREDIENTS
1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
Optional Additions / Variations:
Almond extract for traditional flavor (old fashioned butter cookie recipe)
Chocolate chips or dip
Sprinkles or colored sugar
Lemon or orange zest
For simpler versions:
3 ingredient butter cookies: butter, sugar, flour
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Mix in vanilla extract and salt until fully incorporated.
Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
Shape the cookies:
Roll into balls and flatten slightly
Use cookie cutters or a pastry bag
Use a cookie press (butter cookie recipe for cookie press)
Bake for 12–15 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
Let cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
Soft cookies: Bake just until edges set, do not overbake.
Crispy cookies: Bake a bit longer for a golden edge (crispy butter cookies recipe).
Melt-in-your-mouth: Use high-quality butter and don’t overmix (recipe for butter cookies that melt in your mouth).
Old fashioned style: Add almond extract and shape cookies with a fork.
Danish style: Pipe cookies into swirls or rings for a danish butter cookies recipe.
Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Freeze dough for up to 3 months.
