Butter Cookies

There are few things more comforting than the smell of freshly baked butter cookies drifting through the house. That golden aroma has the power to stop conversations, draw kids out of hiding, and make even the most stressed adult suddenly remember how to smile.

If you’re craving that perfect melt-in-your-mouth biscuit – buttery, crisp, and delicately sweet, you’ve just found your go-to recipe. This post will walk you through how to make homemade butter cookies that rival any bakery, using simple ingredients.

Why Everyone Loves Butter Cookies

When it comes to biscuits, it’s the ingredient that does the heavy lifting. The right amount of butter gives biscuits their signature crumbly texture, rich flavor, and that glorious golden edge that makes you reach for “just one more.”

Here’s why this easy biscuit recipe wins hearts everywhere:

• Rich buttery flavor – pure comfort in every bite.
• Light, crumbly texture – crisp on the edges, soft inside.
• Quick and simple – only six ingredients and one bowl.
• Perfect with tea or coffee – or milk if you’re feeling nostalgic.
• Freezer-friendly – bake now or save some dough for later.

These classic butter cookies are elegant enough for a holiday cookie platter, yet simple enough to bake on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Ingredients for Butter Cookies

The beauty of these butter cookies lies in their simplicity. You don’t need a long list of fancy ingredients – just a few everyday staples that work together to create magic. Here’s what you’ll need and why each one is essential.

Unsalted butter: Butter is the star of this recipe, no surprises there! It gives these biscuits their rich flavor, crumbly texture, and that irresistible golden color. Always use unsalted butter, as it lets you control the salt level and ensures a pure, creamy taste. For the best flavor, use high-quality real butter. Try to avoid using margarine if you can, it lacks the fat content and flavor that make biscuits truly buttery.

Icing sugar: Icing sugar dissolves quickly and ensures a smooth dough without graininess. Unlike granulated sugar, it won’t create crunchy crystals, giving your biscuits that melt-in-your-mouth feel. Remember to sift your icing sugar before mixing to prevent lumps.

All Purpose Flour: Flour forms the structure and body of your biscuits. It provides the foundation that holds all that buttery goodness together. All-purpose flour (also called plain flour) gives the right balance as it is strong enough to hold shape. Ensure that you always sift your flour! It removes lumps and aerates it, resulting in lighter, softer biscuits that bake evenly.

Cornstarch (Maizena): Cornstarch softens the gluten in the flour, creating a light, crumbly texture reminiscent of shortbread. It’s the secret ingredient that makes these biscuits delicate yet buttery.

Vegetable Oil (Sunflower Oil): Vegetable oil keeps the biscuits moist while complementing the butter. It also helps with easy handling of the dough. Sunflower oil is neutral in flavor and won’t overpower the butter. Avoid strong oils like olive oil.

Vanilla Extract: Vanilla adds a gentle warmth and aroma that rounds out the flavor of your buttery biscuits. Use pure vanilla extract or vanilla paste if you can. Imitation vanilla works in a pinch, but the real thing gives a much richer, more authentic flavor.

Optional Add-Ins for Extra Personality

While the classic recipe is perfection on its own, feel free to experiment:

• Nuts: Adds brightness and a refreshing twist.
• Almond extract: Adds a warm, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with butter.
• Chocolate drizzle: Dip or drizzle your baked biscuits with melted chocolate for a bakery-style finish.

Tip: Choose just one flavor enhancement per batch to let each shine. Sometimes less is more when it comes to balance.

Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions

Follow these easy steps to bake perfect butter cookies every single time.

Step 1: Preheat and prepare.
Start by preheating your oven to 170°C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or simply use a non-stick baking tray. This ensures your biscuits bake evenly and don’t stick, and it saves you from scrubbing trays later (you’re welcome).

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and icing sugar together until smooth, light, and creamy. Creaming incorporates air into the butter, giving your biscuits a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Smooth icing sugar ensures no graininess. Use a spatula to scrape the sides occasionally for even mixing.

Step 3: Add Cornstarch (Maizena).
Mix in the cornstarch until fully combined with the butter and sugar mixture. Cornstarch softens the dough, giving your biscuits a delicate, shortbread-like texture. This is the secret to that melt-in-your-mouth crumb.

Step 4: Add Vegetable Oil and Vanilla.
Stir in sunflower oil and vanilla extract until smooth. Oil adds extra moisture, while vanilla enhances aroma and depth of flavor.

Step 5: Fold in Flour.
Sift all-purpose flour and gently fold it into the wet mixture until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Sifting prevents lumps, and gentle folding avoids overworking the dough, keeping biscuits soft.

Step 6: Add Optional Mix-Ins.
If desired, fold in chocolate chips or chopped nuts gently at this stage. Adding mix-ins now ensures even distribution without affecting the dough structure.

Step 7: Shape the Biscuits.
Roll the dough into small balls or use cookie cutters/piping for shapes.

Tip 1: Chill the dough in plastic wrap for 25-30 minutes in the freezer as they will be easier to shape before baking them. These is really helpful especially if you are residing in a location that has really hot temperatures.

Tip 2: To roll out the dough evenly, place it between two sheets of wax paper and use a rolling pin to flatten it. For consistent thickness, I place two metal straws on either side of the dough and roll the rolling pin over them, they act as guides to ensure the dough is perfectly even every time.

Step 8: Bake.
Bake in the preheated oven for +\- 12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. The centers should remain soft. Ensure to monitor the biscuits whilst they are baking to avoid them from browning too much.

Step 9: Cool.
Transfer biscuits to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10: Serve or Store.
Enjoy warm, or store in an airtight container for up to a week. Optionally, drizzle with chocolate, dust with icing sugar, or sandwich with jam or buttercream.

Serving Ideas

These homemade butter cookies are versatile. You can serve them plain or dress them up for special occasions.

Try these variations:

• Chocolate-dipped biscuits: Dip half in melted dark or white chocolate, then sprinkle with crushed nuts or sea salt.
• Buttercream sandwiches: Spread vanilla or lemon buttercream between two biscuits.
• Jam drops: Press your thumb into each dough ball before baking and fill with raspberry jam.
• Holiday twist: Add cinnamon or nutmeg for a festive flavor.

And of course, they’re perfect for dunking in a hot cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate.

Pro Pastry Tips for Success

These small tweaks make all the difference:

1. Measure accurately. Baking is science — precision matters.
2. Don’t rush the creaming stage. It builds structure and flavor.
3. Chill the dough. It improves texture and keeps biscuits neat.
4. Bake one tray at a time. Even heat = perfect results.
5. Let biscuits cool fully before storing to maintain crispness.

Store them in an airtight tin for up to a week, or freeze the unbaked dough for up to three months.

How to Store and Freeze Butter Cookies

Freshly baked biscuits will stay crisp for about 7 days in an airtight container at room temperature. If your kitchen is warm, pop them in the fridge.

To freeze:

• Shape the dough and place pieces on a tray.
• Freeze for 1 hour, then transfer to a freezer bag.
• Bake straight from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to your baking time.

This trick means you can enjoy freshly baked biscuits anytime, even on a Monday morning.

In a world obsessed with fancy desserts and viral food trends, butter cookies remind us that simple is still spectacular. They’re nostalgic, comforting, and unfailingly delicious.

Whether you’re baking for family, hosting a tea party, or just in need of a quiet moment with something sweet, these biscuits deliver pure joy.