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Classic Melt-in-Your-Mouth Butter Cookies Recipe

Classic Melt-in-Your-Mouth Butter Cookies

Tender, shortbread-like butter cookies made with confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, flour, and cornstarch. They are pale, delicate, buttery, and perfect with tea or coffee.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup (226 g) Unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) Confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (180 g) All-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) Cornstarch
Optional Ingredient
  • 1/4 teaspoon Fine salt

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Beat the softened butter and confectioners’ sugar for 2–3 minutes, until smooth, light, and creamy. Beat in the vanilla extract.
  3. Whisk or sift together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and optional salt. Add the dry ingredients gradually to the butter mixture, mixing only until a soft dough forms.
  4. Shape the dough into small balls, using about 1 tablespoon of dough for each cookie. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheets and flatten lightly with a fork, or pipe the dough with a sturdy star tip if it is soft enough.
  5. If the shaped dough feels too soft, chill the cookies for 20–30 minutes before baking.
  6. Bake for 10–15 minutes, until the edges are set and just barely golden. Keep the centers pale.
  7. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for several minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack. They will firm as they cool.

Notes

Do not overbake; excessive browning makes these cookies drier and less tender. Sift or thoroughly whisk the dry ingredients, and avoid overmixing once the flour is added. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container.