French Salted Butter Cookies Recipe

There is something truly magical about French Salted Butter Cookies that makes them an irresistible treat. These cookies perfectly balance the rich, creamy taste of authentic French butter with the subtle crunch of sea salt, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s both simple and sophisticated. Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon or impressing guests with a homemade delight, French Salted Butter Cookies stand out for their buttery texture and delicate sweetness touched by just the right hint of saltiness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of French Salted Butter Cookies lies in their simplicity. Each ingredient is carefully chosen to contribute to the cookie’s tender crumb, buttery flavor, and that signature salty finish. Using high-quality ingredients will make all the difference, especially when it comes to the butter and sea salt.

• Unsalted French butter: The star of the show, providing rich creaminess and depth of flavor.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that perfect crisp edge.
• Egg: Binds the dough for structure while keeping the cookies tender.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the aroma and adds a subtle warmth to each bite.
• All-purpose flour: The base that gives the cookies their structure without overpowering.
• Baking powder: Provides a gentle lift and soft texture.
• Sea salt or fleur de sel: The final touch that elevates the buttery sweetness with its delicate crunch.
• Additional sea salt for topping: A sprinkle on top for that irresistible salty crunch with every bite.

How to Make French Salted Butter Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple prep sets you up for success, making sure your cookies bake evenly and slide off perfectly when done.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened French butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key to incorporating air into the dough, which helps create a tender, delicate cookie texture.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, mix in the egg and vanilla extract until everything is fully combined. The egg acts as a binder, while the vanilla adds that signature sweet warmth that turns good cookies into extraordinary ones.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and sea salt. Mixing these ingredients well ensures that the salt and leavening agent are evenly distributed, giving your cookies consistent flavor and texture.

Step 5: Mix Together

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, stirring continuously to form a smooth, cohesive dough. This slow addition prevents clumps and guarantees a lovely, even consistency throughout.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Cover your dough with plastic wrap and pop it into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Chilling the dough not only solidifies the butter for a better shape but also enhances the flavors as the ingredients meld together.

Step 7: Shape the Cookies

Once chilled, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into neat little balls. Place each on your prepared baking sheets, spacing them at least 2 inches apart to ensure even baking.

Step 8: Add Topping Salt

Lightly sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over each dough ball. This extra step amplifies the salty-sweet dynamic that makes French Salted Butter Cookies so indulgently good.

Step 9: Bake

Slide your trays into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Watch for golden edges with soft centers—the hallmark of perfectly baked French Salted Butter Cookies.

Step 10: Cool

Let the cookies rest for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. This brief cooling period helps them finish baking gently and retain that tender crumb.

Step 11: Enjoy

Whether it’s with a cup of tea, coffee, or simply on their own, French Salted Butter Cookies are a delightful treat that’s impossible to resist. Fresh, buttery, and perfectly salted—they truly embody simple elegance in baking.

How to Serve French Salted Butter Cookies

Garnishes

While these cookies are perfect on their own, adding a light dusting of powdered sugar or a tiny drizzle of melted dark chocolate can take them up a notch. Fresh herbs like a sprig of rosemary or lavender alongside can also complement the buttery-salty flavor beautifully.

Side Dishes

French Salted Butter Cookies pair wonderfully with hot beverages like black tea, espresso, or a rich hot chocolate. They also make a charming companion to fresh fruit slices, especially tart berries or crisp apple wedges, balancing the cookies’ sweetness with refreshing acidity.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking these cookies into charming towers tied with twine for gifts or parties. Another fun idea is sandwiching a thin layer of homemade caramel or chocolate ganache between two cookies for an indulgent twist everyone will love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your French Salted Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and maintain their delightful texture for up to a week, making them perfect for enjoying over several days or sharing with friends.

Freezing

If you want to keep these cookies longer, freezing the dough before baking or freezing baked cookies is a smart option. Dough balls freeze especially well and can be baked fresh whenever you crave that buttery goodness.

Reheating

To bring out that freshly baked warmth, gently reheat cookies in a low oven for a few minutes or microwave them for brief 10-15 second bursts. This helps soften the centers and revive the flavor and aroma beautifully.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted French butter?

It is best to use unsalted French butter to control the amount of salt in the recipe. Using salted butter may make the cookies too salty since sea salt is also added separately.

What’s the difference between sea salt and fleur de sel?

Fleur de sel is a premium, delicate sea salt hand-harvested from salt marshes, offering a softer texture and more nuanced flavor, ideal for topping these cookies.

Can I substitute a different type of flour?

All-purpose flour works best for structure and texture, but you can experiment with pastry flour for a lighter bite, keeping in mind the dough’s consistency may change.

How do I make the cookies more crisp?

Baking a bit longer and allowing the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack will enhance crispness. Also, thinner cookie dough portions result in a crisper final cookie.

Are French Salted Butter Cookies suitable for freezing after baking?

Yes, once baked and fully cooled, you can freeze the cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.

Final Thoughts

French Salted Butter Cookies are a timeless treat that brings a bit of French charm right into your kitchen. With their irresistibly rich butter flavor and that perfect sprinkle of sea salt, these cookies are a must-try for anyone who loves baking simple yet impressive goodies. Once you make a batch, you’ll find yourself coming back for more, eager to share these golden delights with friends and family. Happy baking!

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