If there’s one cookie recipe I reach for when time is tight and cravings are high, it’s this drop butter cookie recipe. Just a handful of pantry staples, one bowl, and no rolling or chilling. These little golden rounds come out with a soft, tender center and slightly crisp edges the kind of treat that disappears faster than you think. As a chef who has tested countless cookies, I can say these are one of the simplest and most forgiving you’ll ever bake.
Ingredients :
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups sifted all purpose flour
Directions :
1: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them. This prevents sticking and promotes even browning.
2: Cream the Butter
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until pale and fluffy using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed. This takes about 2-3 minutes.
Gradually add sugar and salt while mixing. Continue beating until the mixture becomes creamy and light.
3: Add Wet Ingredients
Crack the egg into a small bowl to ensure no shells slip in.
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat again until fully incorporated.
4: Incorporate the Flour
Sift the flour before adding it keeps the cookies light and prevents lumps.
On low speed, mix in the flour slowly. Stop once just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
5: Drop the Dough
Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto your prepared baking sheets.
Leave about 2 inches between each cookie they’ll spread a bit as they bake.
6: Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
Don’t overbake they continue to firm up on the baking sheet.
7: Cool and Enjoy
Remove cookies and place them on a wire rack to cool fully before serving.
Pro Tips for Better Butter Cookies
Even a simple recipe benefits from a few expert touches. These are the tweaks I rely on to take these cookies from good to irresistible:
Room temperature ingredients: Butter and egg should be fully softened this ensures the dough blends perfectly.
Use unsalted butter: It gives you control over the salt levels and lets the vanilla shine.
Don’t skip sifting: Sifted flour incorporates more easily and creates a lighter texture.
Flavor additions: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg adds depth without overpowering the butter flavor.
