French Salted Butter Cookies
These French salted butter cookies are a quick and easy treat with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, rich buttery flavor, and a hint of flaky sea salt. Perfect for special occasions, gifting, or simply enjoying with a cup of coffee.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (115g) salted French butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups (150g) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 2 tablespoons almond flour (optional, can substitute with more all-purpose flour)
- Fleur de sel or flaky sea salt, a pinch for finishing, plus extra for dough if desired
- Egg wash: 1 egg yolk mixed with 1 teaspoon milk
- Extra flaky sea salt for sprinkling (Maldon recommended)
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the salted French butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until pale, light, and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg yolk until fully incorporated, about 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides as needed.
- Sift together the all-purpose flour and almond flour (if using). Add to the butter mixture in two batches, mixing gently with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 20-30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes with a cookie cutter or glass. Place cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared sheet.
- Brush tops with egg wash (1 yolk + 1 tsp milk). Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on each cookie.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until edges are golden and centers just set. Rotate pan halfway for even browning.
- Allow cookies to cool on sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
- Serve warm or let cool completely for a crispier texture. Store leftovers in an airtight container.
Notes
Use high-quality salted French butter for best flavor. Do not overmix the dough after adding flour to keep cookies tender. Chilling the dough is essential for shape and texture. Almond flour adds a delicate crumb but can be omitted for nut-free cookies. For gluten-free, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Sprinkle cookies with flaky sea salt before baking for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 60
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 9
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 1
Keywords: French salted butter cookies, French cookies, butter cookies, salted butter, easy cookies, holiday cookies, special occasion cookies, Parisian cookies, shortbread, European cookies