Introduction
French butter cookies, also known as Sablés Bretons, are a classic treat from the Brittany region of France, known for its rich, high-quality butter. These cookies are simple yet decadent, with a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a rich buttery flavor. Sablés, which means “sand” in French, refers to their crumbly, sandy texture, which makes them utterly irresistible.
These cookies are perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee, and they make an elegant addition to any dessert platter. Despite their simplicity, French butter cookies offer an indulgent, gourmet experience with just a few basic ingredients. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is straightforward and will have you enjoying homemade, bakery-quality cookies in no time.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: Coarse sugar or granulated sugar for sprinkling on top
Preparation:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process usually takes about 3-4 minutes using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed.
Step 2: Add the Egg Yolks and Vanilla
Once the butter and sugar are creamed, add in the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and continue mixing until everything is fully incorporated.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating on low speed until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing, as this can affect the delicate texture of the cookies.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Form the dough into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough helps to firm up the butter, making it easier to roll out and helping the cookies retain their shape during baking.
Step 5: Preheat the Oven
While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 6: Roll and Cut the Dough
Once the dough is firm, remove it from the refrigerator and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter (or any preferred shape) to cut out the cookies. Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each one.
Step 7: Add a Finishing Touch (Optional)
If desired, sprinkle a bit of coarse sugar or granulated sugar on top of each cookie for an extra touch of sweetness and crunch. This is optional but adds a delightful texture.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye on them, as you don’t want them to brown too much. Once done, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cooking Notes:
- Quality of Butter: Since these cookies rely heavily on butter for their flavor, using the highest quality unsalted butter you can find is key. European-style butter, with its higher fat content, works particularly well for these cookies.
- Texture: For a more traditional texture, do not overmix the dough. The less you work the dough, the more tender and crumbly the cookies will be.
- Storage: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week, maintaining their crisp texture. They also freeze well for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions:
French butter cookies are delicious on their own, but they can also be served with a variety of accompaniments. Pair them with a cup of Earl Grey tea, a cappuccino, or even a glass of dessert wine for an elegant treat. They also make a lovely base for dessert sandwiches when filled with fruit preserves or chocolate ganache.
For a more festive presentation, dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate and sprinkle with chopped nuts, sea salt, or sprinkles.
Tips:
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the step of chilling the dough, as it helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too much while baking.
- Even Rolling: To ensure even baking, try to roll the dough out to a uniform thickness. If necessary, use rolling pin rings or guides to get consistent thickness across all the cookies.
- Flavor Variations: To add a twist to your traditional French butter cookies, try adding a hint of citrus zest (such as lemon or orange) to the dough, or a pinch of finely ground lavender for a floral note.
- Don’t Overbake: These cookies are meant to be lightly golden. Overbaking will result in a drier, less tender cookie, so keep an eye on them as they approach the 10-minute mark.
Prep Time:
15 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)
Cooking Time:
10-12 minutes per batch
Total Time:
1 hour 30 minutes
Nutritional Information (per cookie, based on 24 cookies):
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 1.5g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Sugar: 5g
Conclusion
These French butter cookies, or Sablés Bretons, offer a buttery, crumbly delight that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re baking them for an afternoon treat or gifting them during the holidays, they’re sure to impress with their rich flavor and perfect texture. With only a handful of ingredients, these cookies are incredibly easy to make, yet they deliver a truly indulgent result. Serve them as part of a dessert platter, enjoy them with a warm drink, or give them as a beautiful homemade gift.
Print
French Butter Cookies (Sablés Bretons)
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: Coarse sugar or granulated sugar for sprinkling on top
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process usually takes about 3-4 minutes using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed.
Step 2: Add the Egg Yolks and Vanilla
Once the butter and sugar are creamed, add in the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and continue mixing until everything is fully incorporated.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating on low speed until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing, as this can affect the delicate texture of the cookies.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Form the dough into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough helps to firm up the butter, making it easier to roll out and helping the cookies retain their shape during baking.
Step 5: Preheat the Oven
While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 6: Roll and Cut the Dough
Once the dough is firm, remove it from the refrigerator and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter (or any preferred shape) to cut out the cookies. Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each one.
Step 7: Add a Finishing Touch (Optional)
If desired, sprinkle a bit of coarse sugar or granulated sugar on top of each cookie for an extra touch of sweetness and crunch. This is optional but adds a delightful texture.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye on them, as you don’t want them to brown too much. Once done, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Nutrition
- Calories: 120
- Sodium: 50mg
- Protein: 1.5g