Prepare to embark on a delectable journey through the world of traditional German baking with these exquisite Feines Buttergebaeck (Fancy Butter Cookies)! If you've ever dreamed of creating bakery-worthy treats that literally melt on your tongue, you're in for a spectacular culinary adventure. These delicate, buttery treasures are not just cookies – they're a slice of German baking tradition that will transport your taste buds straight to a cozy European kitchen.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 27 mins
Cuisine: German
Serves: 36 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Remove butter from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to soften at room temperature. Ensure it's soft but not melted.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer. Beat until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale yellow, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Incorporate vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow ingredients to blend and dough to firm up.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Remove dough from refrigerator and roll out on a lightly floured surface to approximately 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes, placing them about 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden but centers remain pale.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Optional: Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar or decorate with simple icing if desired.
Tips
- Temperature is Key: Ensure your butter is truly at room temperature - soft enough to cream easily but not melted. This creates the perfect cookie texture.
- Don't Overmix: When combining dry and wet ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense cookies.
- Chill the Dough: The 30-minute refrigeration is crucial. It helps the flavors meld and prevents cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Uniform Thickness: Use a rolling pin with guide rings or wooden dowels to ensure an even 1/4 inch thickness for consistent baking.
- Baking Precision: Watch your cookies carefully. The edges should be just lightly golden – overdoing it can make them dry and crumbly.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow cookies to cool completely before storing or decorating to maintain their delicate texture.
- Storage Tip: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer preservation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 110kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 27mg
