BUTTER PIPED COOKIES

1. Prepare the Dough

• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will take about 3-4 minutes.
• Add the vanilla extract (or any other flavoring you prefer) and a pinch of salt to the butter mixture. If you’re using an egg, add it to the mixture and continue to beat until fully incorporated.
• Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the dough, mixing in small amounts at a time to avoid flour spilling out. Continue mixing until the dough forms a smooth, cohesive texture. The dough should be soft, but not too sticky. If it feels too soft, you can chill it in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes before piping.

2. Prepare the Piping Bag

• Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a star or round piping tip. A large star tip (like the Wilton 1M) works well for creating beautiful rosettes and swirls, but feel free to use any tip you prefer based on the shapes you want to create.
• If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a plastic sandwich bag with a small corner cut off, though a piping bag will give you more control.

3. Pipe the Cookies

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
• Pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheet in your desired shapes. Popular designs include rosettes, spirals, or simple straight lines. Keep the cookies spaced about 1 inch apart to allow for even baking.
• If you like, you can lightly decorate the cookies with colored sugar or sprinkles before baking. This adds a festive touch, especially for holidays or special events.

4. Bake the Cookies

• Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. The cookies should still feel soft to the touch but firm up as they cool.
• Keep an eye on them as they bake, as oven temperatures can vary. You don’t want to overbake them, as they are meant to have a delicate, tender texture.

5. Cool and Decorate

• Once the cookies are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Once they’ve cooled, you can optionally dip the cookies in melted chocolate or drizzle with a glaze. You can also sprinkle more colored sugar or add edible glitter to make them extra special.

Tips for Perfect Butter Piped Cookies

• Use room temperature butter: Softened butter helps create a smooth dough that is easy to pipe. Cold butter can make the dough stiff and hard to pipe.
• Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing can result in dense cookies. Mix the dough just until it comes together.
• Chill the dough if necessary: If the dough feels too soft or sticky to pipe, chill it for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to work with.
• Experiment with shapes: Butter piped cookies are fun to customize. Try piping different shapes or even add colored food coloring to the dough for a festive twist.

Variations to Try

While the classic butter piped cookie is delicious on its own, there are plenty of ways to change up the flavor or appearance:

• Add zest: Try incorporating lemon, orange, or lime zest for a refreshing citrus twist.
• Use different extracts: Swap the vanilla extract for almond, hazelnut, or even peppermint extract for a unique flavor profile.
• Dipped in chocolate: After baking, dip the cookies halfway in melted dark or white chocolate for an extra indulgence.
• Sprinkles: Add sprinkles to the dough before piping or sprinkle them on top of the cookies for added color and texture.

Conclusion

Butter piped cookies are a timeless and elegant treat that are perfect for any occasion. Their delicate texture, rich buttery flavor, and beautiful shapes make them a favorite among cookie enthusiasts. Whether you’re making them for a holiday, a special celebration, or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth, these cookies are sure to impress. By following this simple recipe and using your creativity in decorating, you’ll have a batch of gorgeous butter piped cookies in no time!