French Salted Butter Cookies (Sablés)
These delightful French salted butter cookies, known as sablés, balance rich butter with a hint of salt, creating a satisfying treat that melts in your mouth. Perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Use high-quality salted butter for best flavor.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
Optional Mix-ins
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped nuts Optional, for added flavor and texture.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and coarse sea salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined. If using chocolate chips or nuts, fold them into the dough.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape each into a log (about 2 inches in diameter), wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Baking
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Slice each log into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until edges are golden brown. Check regularly to avoid overbaking.
- Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For variations, consider adding citrus zest or experimenting with different spices like cinnamon or cardamom. Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Freeze cookie dough logs for up to three months for fresh cookies anytime.