Description
Indulge in these Melt-in-Your-Mouth French Salted Butter Cookies, where the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors creates a memorable snack. Made with high-quality unsalted French butter, these cookies boast a rich, buttery flavor complemented by a delicate sprinkle of sea salt. With a tender yet soft crunch texture, this recipe is simple to make and ideal for sharing or enjoying solo with tea or coffee. Versatile with optional additions like chocolate chips, nuts, or citrus zest, these cookies celebrate the elegance of French patisserie at home.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Unsalted French Butter, softened
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt (or Fleur de Sel) for the dough
Optional Variations
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips, semi-sweet or dark
- 1/2 cup Chopped Nuts, pecans or walnuts
- 1 tablespoon Citrus Zest, lemon or orange
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure even baking and prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted French butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, creating a smooth and flavorful base for the cookie dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and sea salt evenly to distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet butter mixture until a cohesive dough forms, taking care not to over-mix to maintain tenderness.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to help the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into tablespoon-sized balls and arrange them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow for spreading.
- Add Salt Topping: Lightly sprinkle additional sea salt on top of each dough ball to introduce a burst of savory flavor upon baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a golden brown while the centers remain soft and tender. Monitor closely to avoid over-baking.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool briefly on the baking sheets to set their shape, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely and maintain texture.
Notes
- These cookies are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For warmer climates, refrigerate cookies in an airtight container for up to two weeks to preserve freshness.
- Freeze unbaked dough balls for up to three months; bake them directly from the freezer adding 1-2 minutes extra baking time.
- Use high-quality unsalted French butter with approximately 82% fat content for optimal flavor and texture.
- Chilling the dough is essential to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
- Optional variations include adding chocolate chips, chopped nuts, citrus zest, herbs, or spices for personalized flavors.
- Reheat cookies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes to restore crispness before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: French salted butter cookies, buttery cookies, sweet and salty cookies, French patisserie recipe, easy cookie recipe, homemade cookies
