These Easy Piped Butter Cookies are a delightful treat with a rich, buttery flavor that melts in your mouth. The process is simple and fun: cream butter and sugar, add flour and flavor, then pipe into beautiful shapes before baking. These crispy, buttery cookies are perfect for any occasion or as a sweet indulgence.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar

• 1 large egg, at room temperature

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 and 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• Optional: Chocolate chips, sprinkles, or sugar pearls for decoration

Directions

1. Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheets:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Set aside.

2. Cream butter and sugar:

   • In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

3. Add egg and vanilla:

   • Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well mixed.

4. Combine dry ingredients:

   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.

5. Prepare dough for piping:

   • Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star or round tip. If the dough is too thick to pipe, add a teaspoon or two of milk to soften it.

6. Pipe the cookies:

   • Pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. Decorate with optional chocolate chips, sprinkles, or sugar pearls if desired.

7. Bake:

   • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Time may vary depending on the size of the cookies, so keep an eye on them.

8. Cool:

   • Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrients

The nutritional values for this recipe can vary depending on portion size, but typically one cookie contains:

• Calories: 80-100 kcal

• Total Fat: 5 g

  • Saturated Fat: 3 g

• Cholesterol: 20-30 mg

• Sodium: 50-70 mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 10-12 g

  • Dietary Fiber: 0 g

  • Sugars: 6-8 g

• Protein: 1 g

These values are approximate and can change based on the size of the cookies and any optional ingredients added.

Why This Recipe Works

The secret to the richness of these butter cookies lies in the simple ingredients. The combination of softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar creates the perfect base for these cookies. Butter is the main flavoring agent, and using unsalted butter ensures that you have complete control over the salt content. The sugar adds the perfect sweetness to balance out the richness of the butter.

The egg and vanilla extract work to bind the dough and infuse it with extra flavor, while the flour and baking powder give the cookies structure and lightness. The result is a cookie with a crisp edge and a tender, buttery center. The dough is easy to handle, making it perfect for piping into beautiful, uniform shapes.

Preparing the Dough: Light and Fluffy

The key to getting the perfect texture for these piped cookies is to start with softened butter. Softened butter will cream much more easily with the sugar, giving the dough a light, fluffy consistency. This step is crucial for ensuring that your cookies have that melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Once the butter and sugar are creamed together until light and fluffy, the egg and vanilla extract are added. The egg helps bind everything together, and the vanilla adds that irresistible flavor. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly mixed.

The dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and salt—are whisked together in a separate bowl before being gradually added to the wet ingredients. This prevents clumps and helps ensure a smooth, uniform dough. You want to mix the dough just until combined, so it’s important not to overmix it.

Piping the Cookies: Fun and Easy

Once the dough is ready, the next step is to pipe it onto your baking sheets. The dough is transferred into a piping bag fitted with a large star or round tip. This allows you to create beautifully shaped cookies. If the dough is too thick to pipe, you can add a teaspoon or two of milk to soften it.

Piping the cookies is the fun part. You can pipe them into circles, rosettes, or any shape you like, depending on the tip you use. Just be sure to leave a bit of space between each cookie (about 2 inches) to allow them to spread slightly as they bake.

If you’re feeling extra festive, this is the perfect time to decorate your cookies with optional chocolate chips, sprinkles, or sugar pearls. These decorations add a fun, colorful touch and make the cookies even more enjoyable.

Baking the Cookies: Perfect Timing

The cookies bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The baking time will depend on the size of the cookies, so keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t over-bake. You want them to be crisp on the edges but still tender in the center.

Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set without falling apart. These cookies are best served once they’ve cooled down to room temperature, allowing the buttery flavor to fully shine.

Serving Suggestions

These piped butter cookies are perfect on their own, but they can also be served as part of a dessert platter or alongside a warm cup of tea or coffee. They are light enough to enjoy as a snack any time of day but rich enough to satisfy your sweet tooth. They’re perfect for holiday baking, special occasions, or just a simple treat to brighten your day.

You can also gift these cookies by placing them in a beautiful tin or jar, making them an easy homemade gift for friends and family. If you’re looking for a way to personalize the cookies further, feel free to experiment with different flavors like almond extract or a dusting of cinnamon for added variety.

Why You’ll Love Easy Piped Butter Cookies

These Easy Piped Butter Cookies are a perfect combination of simplicity and flavor. They have a rich, buttery taste that’s perfectly complemented by the sweetness of the sugar. The fun piping process allows you to get creative with shapes, and the decorations give them a beautiful touch, making them great for any occasion.

Not only are they delicious, but they’re also quick and easy to make. The dough comes together in just a few minutes, and the cookies bake in no time. Plus, there’s minimal cleanup involved, especially if you line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Conclusion

Easy Piped Butter Cookies are a delightful treat that’s both simple and indulgent. With a rich buttery flavor, a light and crisp texture, and a fun piping process, they’re perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re baking them for a special event or just as a sweet indulgence, these cookies are sure to impress. Decorate them with your favorite toppings and serve them with a cup of tea or coffee for the ultimate treat. Try them today for a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth experience!