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4.67 from 136 votes
A top-down view of my Danish butter cookies in a tin.
Festive Danish Butter Cookies Recipe
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
 

My Festive Danish Butter Cookies recipe is for shortbread cookies that are light, simple, buttery with a vanilla flavor, and they just melt in your mouth.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Danish
Servings: 35 cookies
Author: Gemma Stafford
Ingredients
  • 1 cup (8oz/225g) butter, softened
  • ½ cup (4oz/115g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups (10oz/284g) all-purpose flour
  • Granulated or sanding sugar, for sprinkling
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

  2. With an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, and salt until pale and fluffy.

  3. Add the vanilla extract and the egg, and beat until combined.

  4. Gradually add the flour until just thoroughly combined.

  5. Scoop dough into a pastry bag fitted with a large open star tip and pipe 2-inch (5cm) circles onto the prepared baking sheets and sprinkle with the granulated or sanding sugar.

  6. Bake for about 15 minutes, rotating pans halfway through, until the edges are light golden brown. Let cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

  7. These cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 2 months. Defrost at room temperature for an hour.