German Butter Cookies
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These German Butter Cookies are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth soft, sugar cookies. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just getting started, these treats are sure to become a family favorite.
What are German Butter Cookies?
For me, these cookies come with a story. German butter cookies have been passed down in my family for generations. This is one that came from my Great Grandmother who immigrated from Germany when she was just 16.
Our family has been making these German butter cookies from her recipe every Christmas ever since.
These cookies are so soft and buttery, they really do just melt in your mouth. We love making these cookies because they don’t require any fancy frosting, just add some sprinkles for sparkle and color.
Related Recipe: Homemade Sugar Cookies
How to Make Butter Cookies
These butter cookies are super easy to make, come together quick and take just a few minutes to decorate and cook.
To start, use an electric mixer to cream together the butter and sugar. The butter and sugar will cream together smoother if the butter is soft.
To quickly bring cold butter to room temperature, grate with a cheese grater and let sit for 1-2 minutes.
After the butter and sugar are creamed, add in the vanilla and room temperature eggs and mix until well combined.
Whisk in the dry ingredients using a wire mesh strainer and then use the electric mixer to combine until a soft dough is formed.
The dough can be wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated for 30 minutes before rolling out, but is not necessary.
Roll the dough out onto a lightly floured surface with a rolling pin until the dough is 1/4-1/2 inch thick, depending on desired thickness.
Use a variety of cookie cutters to cut out the cookies. Pick up the scraps and continue rolling out and cutting the cookies until all the dough is used.
Next, place the cut out cookies onto a baking sheet, you can also line the baking sheet with parchment paper.
Brush the cookies with egg white and go to town decorating with all your favorite colored sprinkles.
Yes, the sprinkles go on the cookies before they are baked.
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. They should still be soft and not completely browned to keep them nice and soft.
How to Store German Butter Cookies
These cookies can be stored on the counter in an air tight container for up to 3 days.
They can also be made ahead and stored in an air tight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Other Cookie Recipes We Love:
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German Butter Cookies Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 4 eggs room temperature
- 4 1/4 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 egg white
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325℉.
- Cream together butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer.
- Add vanilla and eggs and mix well.
- Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon into the butter mixture and mix until a soft dough is formed.
- Roll out half of the cookie dough on a lightly floured surface until it is about 1/4 inch thick.
- Cut out into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Continue to pick up scraps and roll out dough until all the dough is used.
- Place the cut out cookies onto a baking sheet. Brush the cookies with egg white and sprinkle with decorations.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack.
Video
Notes
- Nutrition facts are just an estimate
- Store cookies on the counter in an air tight container for up to 3 days.
