French Salted Butter Cookies Recipe

Introduction

French Salted Butter Cookies offer a delightful balance of sweet and savory with a tender, buttery texture. These classic treats are simple to make and perfect for enjoying with your afternoon tea or coffee.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted French butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt (or fleur de sel, if available)
• Additional sea salt for topping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Cream together the softened French butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and sea salt.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
6. Step 6: Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
7. Step 7: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Step 8: Lightly sprinkle the tops of each dough ball with sea salt.
9. Step 9: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden around the edges, and the centers remain soft.
10. Step 10: Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• Use fleur de sel for a more delicate and authentic French taste on top of the cookies.
• Chilling the dough longer can help prevent spreading and maintain the cookie shape.
• For a richer flavor, try browned butter instead of softened butter, but let it cool before mixing.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They can also be frozen for up to three months. To refresh, warm them slightly in a low oven before serving to restore their softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted French butter?

It’s best to use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt in the recipe, especially since sea salt is sprinkled on top. If using salted butter, reduce or omit the added sea salt to avoid over-salting.

Why do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough firms it up, which helps prevent spreading during baking. It also allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a more tender and flavorful cookie.

French Salted Butter Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 80 reviews

These French Salted Butter Cookies are a delightful treat featuring rich, creamy French butter and a perfect balance of sweetness and sea salt. Crispy on the edges and tender in the center, they are ideal for a sophisticated snack or dessert, embodying classic French flavors with simple ingredients.

• Author: Joe
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Butter Mixture

• 1 cup unsalted French butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt (or fleur de sel, if available)

Topping

• Additional sea salt for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened French butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
3. Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract thoroughly until fully combined, adding moisture and flavor to the dough.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and sea salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
5. Combine Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet butter mixture, stirring gently until a soft dough forms without overmixing to maintain tenderness.
6. Chill Dough: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to firm up, making it easier to handle and helping the cookies hold their shape during baking.
7. Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll each into a ball. Place them on the prepared baking sheets with about 2 inches spacing to allow for spreading.
8. Add Salt Topping: Lightly sprinkle the tops of each dough ball with additional sea salt to enhance the flavor contrast.
9. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers remain soft for the perfect texture.
10. Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they finish firming up.

Notes

• If you cannot find French butter, use a high-quality unsalted European-style butter for best results.
• Chilling the dough is important to prevent excessive spreading and to develop flavor.
• Adjust the amount of sea salt topping according to your taste preference for saltiness.
• Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to one week.
• Fleur de sel adds a delicate crunch and gourmet touch but regular sea salt works well.

Keywords: French butter cookies, salted butter cookies, French dessert, buttery cookies, sea salt cookies