Learn the basics and perfect the art of making the best-ever butter cookies with this step-by-step guide.
Instructions
1
Mix wet ingredients
2
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy; 2 to 3 minutes. Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined. Test Kitchen Tip: The temperature of your butter matters. Butter that is too cold will yield either a lumpy, less uniform dough or a dough that's tough and overworked. Likewise, using melted butter will also cause butter cookies to be tough and lose the melt-in-your-mouth texture you're striving for.
3
Make the dough
4
In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt. Then, gradually beat the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until fully incorporated.
5
Using a cookie press fitted with a heart disc (or shape of your choice), extrude the dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet at least 1-inch apart.
6
Bake in a preheated 375°F oven until the cookies are set, but not brown; about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove promptly and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
7
Prepare icing
8
In a medium bowl, beat butter, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to reach a spreadable consistency. The icing should be smooth and free of lumps. Next, tint the icing with food coloring, if desired. You can divide the icing into a few smaller bowls if you want multiple colors.
9
Use a small knife or piping bag to decorate the cookies with icing.
