Butter cookie

Butter cookie (also known as butter biscuit, Danish cookie, and shortbread cookie) is a type of cookie that is made primarily from butter, flour, and sugar. Butter cookies are known for their rich, buttery flavor and tender, crumbly texture.

History

The butter cookie has its origins in Europe, specifically in the countries of Denmark, Scotland, and the Netherlands. The Danish version, known as Danish butter cookies, are often sold in a recognizable blue tin and are popular around the world, especially during the Christmas season. The Scottish version, known as shortbread, is a traditional Scottish biscuit that dates back to the Middle Ages. The Dutch version, known as Dutch butter cookies, are a staple of Dutch cuisine and are often served with coffee or tea.

Preparation

The preparation of butter cookies is relatively simple, requiring only a few basic ingredients: butter, sugar, flour, and sometimes vanilla or almond extract for flavoring. The butter is typically creamed with the sugar until light and fluffy, then the flour is gradually added to form a soft dough. The dough is then rolled out and cut into shapes using a cookie cutter, or pressed into a cookie mold. The cookies are then baked until lightly golden.

Variations

There are many variations of the butter cookie, including those that are flavored with lemon zest, almond, or chocolate. Some versions are topped with sugar crystals or chocolate chips, while others are sandwiched with jam or chocolate ganache. In France, the sablé is a type of butter cookie that is known for its sandy texture, while in Germany, the spritz cookie is a butter cookie that is piped from a cookie press into various shapes.

See also

• List of cookies
• Danish cuisine
• Scottish cuisine
• Dutch cuisine