Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Optional: 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or cream
- Optional finishes: melted chocolate for drizzling, sprinkles, or coarse sugar
Instructions
- Cream the softened butter with powdered sugar until light and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth and well combined.
- Whisk flour and salt in a separate bowl. Add to the butter mixture on low speed just until combined.
- Check the consistency: squeeze a little dough through the piping tip. If it’s too stiff to pipe, mix in milk or cream, 1 teaspoon at a time.
- Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Pipe tight swirls onto a parchment-lined sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Chill the tray for 15 to 20 minutes to help the swirls keep their shape.
- Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then move to a rack. Optional: dip or drizzle with melted chocolate, or sprinkle with sugar while warm.
Notes
For best results, use high-fat European-style butter and chill the piped dough before baking to maintain shape.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: butter cookies, baking, dessert, cookie swirls, holiday cookies