Easy & Dreamy Button Cookies Recipe for Sweet Success

Ever since my grandmother shared her secret button cookies recipe, baking has become a delightful childhood memory.

Soft, buttery rounds remind me of lazy afternoons in her sunny kitchen.

Delicate and playful, these sweet treats look just like vintage clothing buttons.

Crisp edges and tender centers make them irresistible for afternoon snacking.

Minimal ingredients and simple steps mean you can whip up a batch in minutes.

Little hands love helping shape and decorate these whimsical cookies.

A sprinkle of sugar or colorful decorations turns them into edible art.

One bite will transport you back to cherished moments of comfort and joy.

Cookie Tips for Better Texture and Design

• Precision Cutting: Use a sharp, clean round cutter for perfect button-shaped cookies with smooth edges.
• Moisture Magic: Add milk sparingly to prevent dough from becoming too wet, maintaining ideal cookie texture.
• Hole Technique: Press straw or piping nozzle gently and twist to create clean, uniform button holes without cracking the dough.
• Temperature Control: Watch cookies closely during baking to prevent over-browning, ensuring delicate golden edges.
• Creative Decorating: Dust with powdered sugar or use food-safe markers to draw decorative details for a personalized touch.

Why Button Cookies Are So Cute and Tasty

• Create adorable cookies using simple pantry staples like butter, flour, and powdered sugar, making this recipe budget-friendly and accessible.
• Engage children in a fun baking activity by letting them help create button-shaped cookies and punch holes, turning cooking into a playful learning experience.
• Serve these charming cookies as standalone treats or get creative by connecting them with thread for a whimsical, edible button display that delights both kids and adults.

Ingredients for Classic Button Cookies

Main Ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of the cookie, providing a tender and crisp base. Preferably use fresh, sifted flour for smoother texture.
• Cornstarch: Adds extra tenderness and helps create a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Helps prevent tough cookies.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates a soft, buttery cookie. Room temperature butter works best for smooth mixing.
• Powdered Sugar: Gives a delicate sweetness and helps create a smooth, soft cookie texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor to the cookies. Pure vanilla gives the best taste.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookie.
• Milk: Optional moisture addition to help bind the dough if it feels too dry.

How to Shape and Bake Button Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Adjust oven temperature to 350F (175C). Cover baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Whip The Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, cream butter and powdered sugar until smooth and airy. Blend in vanilla extract until fully combined.

Step 3: Mix Dry Components

• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Cornstarch

Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until soft dough develops. If mixture seems crumbly, splash a touch of milk to help bind.

Step 4: Shape Delicate Circles

Roll dough flat to paper-thin consistency. Select small circular cutter (roughly 1-2 inches wide) and punch out cookie shapes.

Step 5: Create Button Details

Use drinking straw or piping tool tip to punch 2-4 tiny holes in cookie center, mimicking authentic button appearance.

Step 6: Bake To Golden Perfection

Transfer cookie circles onto prepared baking sheet. Slide into preheated oven and cook for 10-12 minutes until edges turn light golden brown.

Step 7: Cool And Present

Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack. Optional: Connect cookies with delicate thread for playful button aesthetic.

Save and Store Button Cookies the Right Way

• Store button cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for 2-3 months without losing quality.
• Remove from freezer and let cookies sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain crispness.
• If cookies become slightly soft, crisp them up by placing in a 300F oven for 3-5 minutes. Cool completely before enjoying.

What to Pair with Button Cookies

• Warm, spiced chai complements the delicate butter cookie flavor, creating a cozy comfort drink experience.
• Creamy, smooth vanilla bean ice cream provides a luxurious contrast to the crisp, delicate button cookies.
• Elegant tea with floral notes enhances the subtle sweetness and buttery texture of these delicate button cookies.
• Rich, golden caramel with a hint of salt adds depth and complexity to the simple, classic butter cookie profile.

Different Takes on Button Cookie Designs

• Gluten-Free Button Cookies: Replace wheat flour with a blend of almond and rice flour to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains the delicate texture.
• Chocolate Button Cookies: Mix cocoa powder into the dough for a rich, dark chocolate version that adds depth and a hint of bittersweet flavor.
• Lemon Zest Button Cookies: Incorporate fresh lemon zest and a splash of lemon juice to brighten the recipe with a citrusy, refreshing note that complements the buttery base.
• Vegan Button Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil, use powdered maple sugar, and substitute cornstarch with arrowroot powder to create a plant-based alternative that's equally tender and delicious.

Got Questions About Button Cookies?

• What ingredients give Button Cookies their unique texture?

Cornstarch and powdered sugar create a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes these cookies incredibly soft and tender.

• How do I prevent the dough from sticking while rolling?

Lightly dust your work surface and rolling pin with flour to prevent the dough from sticking and make rolling easier.

• Can I decorate these Button Cookies?

Yes! You can dust them with powdered sugar, dip half in melted chocolate, or use colored royal icing to create decorative designs that resemble actual buttons.

• Why do I need to make holes in the cookies?

The holes make the cookies look like real buttons and also help them bake more evenly by allowing heat to circulate through the center of each cookie.

Button Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Button cookies bring whimsy and charm to your dessert table, offering delightful bite-sized treats that spark joy with their playful design. Sweet, buttery, and adorably shaped like classic buttons, these little delicacies will charm guests and make snack time feel like a delightful celebration.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (2 sticks / 226 grams) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (60 grams) powdered sugar

Flavor and Texture Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon milk (if needed)

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Instructions

1. Arrange the oven rack in the middle position and heat to 350F (175C). Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie placement.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale. Incorporate vanilla extract, blending thoroughly.
3. Gently fold in flour, salt, and cornstarch, mixing until a cohesive yet tender dough emerges. If the texture appears crumbly, introduce a small splash of milk to enhance binding.
4. Carefully roll the dough to a delicate 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Utilize a petite circular cutter to craft uniform cookie shapes.
5. Transform each cookie into a charming button by puncturing 2-3 precise holes using a slender straw or decorative piping tool’s tip.
6. Arrange the button-shaped cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring slight separation between each piece. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges acquire a gentle golden hue.
7. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for several minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire cooling rack. Optional: Thread cookies together for a whimsical presentation that mimics vintage button clusters.

Notes

• Experiment with different flour types like almond or gluten-free flour to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising the delicate texture.
• Create flavor variations by adding lemon zest, lavender, or cocoa powder directly into the dough for unique and exciting taste profiles.
• Use a decorative piping tip instead of a straw to make more intricate and decorative button hole patterns that elevate the cookie’s visual appeal.
• Dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar or brush with a light glaze to enhance their appearance and add a subtle extra layer of sweetness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg