French Salted Butter Cookies Recipe
French Salted Butter Cookies are a delightful treat featuring rich, creamy French butter combined with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt, creating the perfect balance of sweet and savory. These crisp-on-the-outside yet tender-on-the-inside cookies are easy to make and ideal for pairing with tea or coffee.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Butter Mixture
- 1 cup unsalted French butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt (or fleur de sel, if available)
Topping
- Additional sea salt for topping
- Prepare Your Workspace: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened French butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring even sweetness and a tender texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the large egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture by beating until thoroughly combined, creating a smooth, homogenous batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and sea salt to evenly distribute the leavening and salt.
- Mix Together: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring continuously until a soft dough forms, taking care not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up, which helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a tablespoon, scoop portions of dough and roll them into balls. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Add Topping Salt: Lightly sprinkle the tops of each dough ball with a pinch of sea salt to enhance the flavor with a subtle burst of saltiness.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn golden while the centers remain soft and tender.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely, preventing breakage.
- Enjoy: Serve your freshly baked French Salted Butter Cookies with a warm cup of tea or coffee for the perfect indulgent treat.
Notes
- Using high-quality French butter is key for authentic flavor and texture.
- Chilling the dough ensures the cookies keep their shape and improves texture.
- Adjust the sea salt topping to taste for a more or less pronounced salty contrast.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For a richer flavor, consider using fleur de sel as the finishing salt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1.3g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: French butter cookies, salted butter cookies, French cookies, homemade cookies, butter cookies recipe, sea salt cookies