Delicious Vanilla Slice and Bake Butter Cookies: A Simple & Sweet Recipe
There’s something incredibly comforting and satisfying about a perfectly baked butter cookie, and these vanilla slice and bake cookies are no exception. They are a truly wonderful shortbread-style cookie, bursting with rich, buttery flavor and an exquisite vanilla essence that will delight your taste buds. Known for their melt-in-your-mouth texture and delightful simplicity, these homemade butter cookies are an all-time favorite for good reason. With just a few basic ingredients and a little patience for chilling, you can create a batch of irresistible treats that everyone will adore. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this easy vanilla cookie recipe is designed for success, promising delicious results every time.
We simply can’t get enough of these delectable vanilla cookies. Crafted with premium vanilla bean paste, they offer an addictively good flavor that stands out. The beauty of these slice and bake butter cookies lies not only in their taste but also in their convenience. You can easily double or triple the recipe, especially during the festive holiday season, because you know they’ll disappear quickly as everyone reaches for them by the handful. They make fantastic gifts, delightful party treats, or simply a sweet indulgence for your family on any given day. Get ready to fall in love with the ultimate vanilla butter cookie experience!
The Magic of Slice and Bake Cookies: Convenience Meets Flavor
Making slice and bake cookies is a brilliant method that combines ease with incredible flavor development. While this technique does involve a crucial chilling period, this waiting time is actually a secret weapon for enhancing your cookies. Allowing the cookie dough to rest and relax in the refrigerator or freezer gives the flavors a chance to meld and deepen, resulting in a more pronounced and awesome taste. The butter solidifies, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, giving them a perfect shape and a wonderfully tender texture. This chilling process also makes the dough much easier to handle when slicing, ensuring consistent cookie size and even baking. Just imagine how wonderfully rich and flavorful these vanilla butter cookies are going to taste after a proper chill!
The “slice and bake” aspect also offers unparalleled convenience. You can prepare the dough in advance, roll it into logs, and then simply slice and bake whenever a craving strikes or unexpected guests arrive. This makes them perfect for busy weeknights, spontaneous dessert needs, or ensuring you always have fresh cookies on hand during holidays. No need to chill, roll out, and cut individual shapes; just slice from a pre-made log and into the oven they go. It’s truly a game-changer for homemade cookie enthusiasts.
Essential Vanilla Butter Cookies Ingredients
Achieving the perfect vanilla butter cookie starts with high-quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is vital for that exquisite taste and texture:
- Butter: You will need 1 cup (which is equivalent to 2 sticks) of unsalted butter, softened to room temperature. Butter is the star of these cookies, providing an incredibly rich flavor and contributing to that desirable melt-in-your-mouth texture. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of your cookies.
- Sugar: Use 1/2 cup of granulated sugar. This provides the essential sweetness and also helps achieve a delightful crispness on the edges of the cookies.
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups of all-purpose flour serve as the structural base of this cookie dough recipe. Ensure it’s spooned and leveled, not scooped directly from the bag, to avoid adding too much flour, which can result in dry, crumbly cookies.
- Baking Powder: A single teaspoon of baking powder is used to give the cookies a slight lift and a tender crumb as they bake, ensuring they puff up nicely without becoming overly cakey.
- Salt: You will need ¼ teaspoon of fine sea salt or table salt. Salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors in these cookies, especially the rich butter and aromatic vanilla.
- Vanilla Bean Paste: For an unparalleled and intense vanilla flavor, 2 teaspoons of vanilla bean paste are recommended. Unlike vanilla extract, paste offers tiny specks of vanilla bean seeds, adding a beautiful visual appeal and a more complex, robust vanilla profile to every bite. If you can’t find paste, high-quality vanilla extract can be substituted, but the paste truly makes a difference.
- Turbinado Sugar: To give our cookies an extra special, gourmet appearance and a delightful textural crunch, use ⅓ cup of turbinado sugar. Also known as “sugar in the raw,” this coarse-textured sugar provides a beautiful sparkle and a satisfying chewiness to the cookie edges.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Slice and Bake Vanilla Butter Cookies
Creating these delightful vanilla butter cookies is a straightforward process. Follow these steps carefully to ensure perfect results:
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer (either a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer), beat them together on medium speed until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ tender texture.
- Add Vanilla: Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the vanilla bean paste. Beat for another 30 seconds until the vanilla is fully incorporated and its fragrant aroma fills the air.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined and a soft, cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Shape the Dough Logs: Divide the dough evenly in half. Place each half onto a separate piece of wax paper or parchment paper. Using your hands, gently shape each portion of dough into a log, about 8 inches long and 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter. Roll the dough tightly in the wax paper, twisting the ends to seal it. This helps maintain the log’s shape during chilling.
- Chill the Dough: Transfer the wrapped dough logs to the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. For quicker results if you’re short on time, you can place them in the freezer for about 30 minutes until firm. Chilling is essential for firming up the butter, which prevents excessive spreading during baking and allows the flavors to deepen.
- Prepare for Baking: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Slice and Sugar Coat: Unwrap one chilled dough log. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the log into ¼-inch thick slices. Take each cookie slice and roll its edges in the turbinado sugar, pressing gently to ensure an even coating on all sides. This adds a beautiful sparkle and a delightful crunch.
- Arrange and Bake: Arrange the sugared cookie slices onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave at least 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for slight spreading.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 22-26 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. The low temperature helps them bake through evenly without browning too quickly.
- Cool and Enjoy: Once baked, transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack immediately to cool completely. This prevents them from becoming soggy and allows them to crisp up perfectly. Once cooled, they are ready to be enjoyed!
VANILLA BUTTER COOKIE RECIPE
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Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened (2 sticks)
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- ⅓ cup turbinado sugar
Instructions
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With an electric mixer, cream the butter with the sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add in vanilla paste.
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Add flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until it forms a dough.
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Divide the dough in half. On a sheet of wax paper, form each half into an 8-inch log. Chill the logs, wrapped in the wax paper, for at least 2 hours or overnight. (If you’re pressed for time, 30 minutes in the freezer works well too!)
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Heat the oven to 300°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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Cut the logs into ¼-inch-thick slices with a sharp knife. Roll the slices in turbinado sugar, pressing it into the dough to coat all sides. Arrange the slices 2 inches apart on baking sheets.
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Bake the cookies on the top rack of the oven for 22-26 minutes.
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Transfer to wire racks to cool. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Expert Tips for Perfect Vanilla Butter Cookies
While this recipe is straightforward, a few tips can elevate your vanilla slice and bake cookies from good to absolutely phenomenal:
- Room Temperature Butter: Ensure your butter is truly at room temperature. It should be soft enough to indent with a finger but not greasy or melted. This allows it to cream properly with the sugar, creating a light and fluffy base.
- Don’t Overmix the Flour: Once you add the flour, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, chewy cookies instead of tender, buttery ones.
- Thorough Chilling is Key: Do not skip or shorten the chilling time for the dough. This is crucial for two reasons: it solidifies the butter, preventing the cookies from spreading excessively in the oven, and it allows the flavors to fully develop, resulting in a richer taste.
- Sharp Knife for Slicing: Use a very sharp knife to cut the chilled cookie logs. A dull knife can drag the dough, distorting the round shape.
- Even Slices: Try to slice the cookies into even thicknesses (¼-inch is ideal). This ensures that all cookies bake uniformly and are done at the same time.
- Parchment Paper: Always line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking, promotes even browning, and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Oven Temperature: A lower baking temperature (300°F) is ideal for these butter cookies. It helps them bake through without becoming too dark too quickly, preserving their delicate flavor and tender crumb.
- Cooling Rack: Transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack as soon as they come out of the oven. This allows air to circulate around them, preventing them from becoming soggy and helping them achieve that perfect crisp exterior.
Customizing Your Slice and Bake Vanilla Cookies
While these vanilla butter cookies are perfect as is, they also serve as a fantastic base for creativity! Here are a few ideas to customize them:
- Sprinkle Fun: Before chilling, roll the dough logs in colorful sprinkles instead of or in addition to turbinado sugar for a festive look.
- Citrus Zest: Add 1-2 teaspoons of finely grated lemon, orange, or lime zest to the butter and sugar mixture for a bright, tangy twist.
- Nutty Crunch: Mix in ½ cup of finely chopped toasted nuts (like pecans, walnuts, or almonds) with the flour for added texture and flavor.
- Chocolate Chips: Fold in ½ cup of mini chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate into the dough along with the flour for a classic chocolatey addition.
- Different Extracts: Experiment with other extracts! Almond extract, peppermint extract (for holidays!), or even a hint of coconut extract can transform the flavor profile.
- Dipping Chocolate: Once cooled, dip half of each baked cookie into melted dark, milk, or white chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt or more turbinado sugar.
Make-Ahead & Storage Instructions
The beauty of slice and bake cookies is their excellent make-ahead potential and versatility in storage:
How long do baked butter cookies last?
Once baked and completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze baked cookies in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Storing Unbaked Dough Logs:
If you prefer to bake fresh cookies on demand, the chilled dough logs are perfect for make-ahead convenience. Keep the dough logs tightly wrapped in wax paper or plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For even longer storage, wrap the logs in an additional layer of aluminum foil (or place in a freezer-safe bag) and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to bake from frozen, simply slice the log (it might be a little harder to cut, so let it sit out for 5-10 minutes if needed) and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vanilla Butter Cookies
Can I use vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean paste?
Yes, you can substitute vanilla extract for vanilla bean paste. Use the same quantity (2 teaspoons). While vanilla bean paste offers a more intense flavor and visual appeal with the tiny black specks, good quality vanilla extract will still yield delicious results.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Excessive spreading is usually due to butter that was too soft when mixing the dough, not chilling the dough long enough, or an oven that wasn’t at the correct temperature (too low). Ensure your butter is room temperature but firm, chill the dough thoroughly, and use an oven thermometer to verify your oven’s temperature.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
While this specific recipe uses all-purpose flour, many bakers have success substituting a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend (which typically contains xanthan gum) for an allergy-friendly version. Results may vary slightly in texture.
Can I freeze the baked cookies?
Absolutely! Once baked and completely cooled, you can freeze these vanilla butter cookies for up to 2-3 months in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Thaw them at room temperature for a quick treat.
Discover Other Great Slice and Bake Style Cookies
If you love the convenience and deliciousness of these vanilla butter cookies, you’ll definitely want to try these other fantastic slice and bake recipes:
- LEMON SLICE & BAKE COOKIES
- CINNAMON ROLL COOKIES
- CHOCOLATE SUGAR COOKIES
- CHOCOLATE CHIP PUFF PASTRY COOKIES
More Vanilla Flavored Cookies To Love
For those who can’t get enough of that classic vanilla flavor, here are some other wonderful vanilla-centric cookie recipes to add to your baking list:
- VANILLA MELTAWAY COOKIES
- VANILLA MERINGUE COOKIES
- PEPPERMINT VANILLA SHORTBREAD COOKIES
- VANILLA CREAM COOKIES
These vanilla slice and bake cookies are truly a perfect treat, consistently well-received and sure to bring smiles. They’re packed with delicious, aromatic flavor in every single buttery-soft cookie, making them an ideal choice for any occasion or simply to brighten your day. Bake a batch today and experience the simple joy of homemade goodness!
On a personal note, it’s always fun to look back at cherished family memories! This photo takes me back to when my baby was still quite little. Isn’t he just adorable?! Now he’s growing like a weed – who wears a size 5 shoe in 2nd grade?! THIS KID! Time really does fly, but moments with delicious homemade cookies make it all the sweeter.
