Easy butter cookies are made with just 4 simple ingredients and come together in no time. Soft, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, this homemade recipe is perfect for everyday baking. Filled with fruity jam and lightly crisp on the edges, these cookies make a perfect treat with a cup of tea or coffee and deliver delicious results every time.
These Are the Key Ingredients You Need to Make Delicious Cookies
Butter
The star ingredient of this recipe. Butter gives these cookies their rich flavor and soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Using good-quality butter makes a noticeable difference in taste and aroma.
Powdered Sugar
Adds gentle sweetness while keeping the cookie texture light and smooth. Powdered sugar helps create tender cookies with a delicate crumb rather than a crunchy bite.
Egg Yolks
Provide richness and help bind the ingredients together. Egg yolks also contribute to a soft interior and a beautiful golden color after baking.
Flour
Forms the base of the dough and gives structure to the cookies. It ensures the cookies hold their shape while remaining soft and tender.
A Pinch of Salt
A small but essential ingredient that enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness, resulting in a more flavorful cookie.
Jam Filling
Adds a fruity contrast to the buttery cookies. The jam brings color, moisture, and a pleasant sweetness that makes each bite more exciting.
Easy & Soft Butter Cookies For Christmas | Only 4 Ingredients
Equipment
- bowl
- mixer
- baking tray
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- Ingredients – Easy & Soft Butter Cookies
- ⅔ cup Cold Butter (150 g)
- ⅔ cup Powdered sugar – 2/3 cup ( 80 g )
- 2 Egg yolks
- ½ tsp Vanilla extract ( optional )
- a pinch of Salt
- 1¾ cups All-purpose flour (or fine “00” flour) (210 g)
- Jam of choice – for filling
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the butter and powdered sugar. Mix well until fully combined.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture until creamy and smooth.
- Add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Gradually add the flour and mix until a soft, smooth dough forms.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Shape the dough into a cylinder, then cut into equal-sized pieces.
- Roll each piece into a ball and place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving space between cookies.
- Press the center of each cookie gently with your finger to create an indentation.
- Fill each indentation with jam.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 15–20 minutes, until the edges turn lightly golden.
Video
Notes
- Do not overbake; the cookies should stay pale with lightly golden edges.
- Let cookies cool completely before serving so the jam sets properly.
How to Make Butter Cookies – Step by Step
1-Cream the butter and sugar
Start by combining cold butter with powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl. Creaming these together until smooth and creamy ensures your cookies will have a soft and buttery texture that melts in your mouth.
2-Add the egg yolks and vanilla
Incorporate the egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add a touch of vanilla extract if desired. Egg yolks provide richness and help the dough hold together, while vanilla enhances the flavor naturally.
3-Mix in the flour
Gradually add the flour and fold it into the mixture until a soft dough forms. Properly mixing the flour ensures the cookies maintain their shape while staying tender inside.
4-Chill the dough
Place the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Chilling helps make shaping easier and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
5-Shape the cookies
Roll the dough into a log and cut it into equal pieces. Shape each piece into a round ball. You can slightly flatten them or leave them round depending on your preferred look.
6-Create an indentation for the jam
Press a small well in the center of each cookie using your fingertip or the back of a spoon. This step gives space for the jam filling and ensures it stays in place during baking.
7-Fill with jam
Spoon your favorite jam into each indentation. Strawberry, raspberry, apricot, or blueberry jams work wonderfully. The fruity filling adds moisture, flavor, and visual appeal to your cookies.
8-Bake to perfection
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the cookies for 15–20 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Baking just enough ensures a soft interior with slightly crisp edges.
9-Cool and enjoy
Let the cookies cool slightly on the baking tray before transferring to a wire rack. This prevents breaking and allows the jam to set. Serve with tea or coffee and enjoy the buttery, fruity delight.
Storage Tips
Avoid humidity: Keep in a cool, dry place to maintain texture and jam consistency
Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Layering: Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Freezing: Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Pro Tips for Perfect Butter Cookies
Use high-quality butter for richer flavor and softer texture.
Chill the dough for longer if you want firmer cookies that hold their shape.
Use a small spoon or fingertip to make neat jam wells.
Experiment with different jams like strawberry, raspberry, apricot, or blueberry.
Remove cookies from the oven once the edges are lightly golden for perfect softness.
FAQs & Helpful Tips
Yes, but the cookies’ flavor and texture may be slightly different. Butter provides a richer taste and soft texture.
It’s not recommended. Egg yolks give the cookies a tender, golden texture, while whole eggs may make them denser.
Press a small indentation in the center of each cookie with a fingertip or a small spoon. This ensures the jam stays in place while baking.
Yes, but the texture will differ slightly. Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for best results.