How To Make Bakery-Style Butter Cookies With Just A Few Steps

Nothing compares to the charm of a classic butter cookie – tender, delicate, and rich with that unmistakable melt-in-your-mouth sweetness.

These cookies may look simple, but their appeal lies in the way they strike the perfect balance between softness and crisp edges.

With just a handful of pantry ingredients and a few straightforward steps, you can recreate the kind of bakery-style treat that disappears from the plate faster than you can bake the next batch.

Ingredients

1 cup (230 g) softened butter

2/3 cup (85 g) powdered sugar

2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, added in two batches

Additional 2–3 tablespoons flour, only if dough is too soft

Whip The Dough Into A Soft, Creamy Base

Place the softened butter in a large mixing bowl and add the powdered sugar.

Beat the mixture until it becomes light, fluffy, and creamy – this step gives the cookies their delicate texture.

Add the flour in two batches, mixing gently after each addition until the dough comes together.

If the dough feels too soft or sticky, sprinkle in an extra 2 to 3 tablespoons of flour and mix again just until smooth.

Method One

Shape the dough into a flat disk, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about 1 hour.

Once chilled, roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface and cut it into your desired shapes.

Transfer each cookie to a baking tray.

Gather and re-roll the scraps to cut out additional cookies.

Method Two

Roll the dough into a log, wrap it in plastic, and freeze for 30 minutes to firm it up.

Remove the wrap, slice the dough into 1/4-inch thick rounds, and place them on a baking tray.

If the slices feel too soft at this stage, refrigerate them for an additional 30 minutes before baking.

Bake And Cool

Bake the cookies at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes, watching for the edges to turn a soft, pale golden color.

That subtle tint is the sign that the centers will stay tender while the outside firms up just enough.

Once they come out of the oven, let the cookies rest right on the tray; they’re delicate while warm and will finish setting as they cool.

When they’ve reached room temperature, enjoy their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture – the kind of simple, comforting cookie that feels perfect with tea, coffee, or a quiet afternoon break.