Can I make these cookies without a piping bag?

Yes! While the piping creates that lovely decorative edge, you can also roll the dough into 1-inch balls and flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. The texture will be slightly different, but they'll still be delicious.

Why did my cookies spread too much while baking?

This typically happens when the butter is too warm or the dough wasn't chilled enough. If your kitchen is warm, try refrigerating the piped cookies for 15 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape.

Can I use colored white chocolate instead of adding sprinkles?

Absolutely! You can color white chocolate with oil-based food coloring (regular water-based food coloring will make chocolate seize). This creates a beautiful solid-colored finish, and you can still add sprinkles on top for extra texture.

My white chocolate seems grainy after melting. What happened?

White chocolate is sensitive to heat. Try melting at 50% power in the microwave and stir frequently. If it's already seized or become grainy, sometimes adding a teaspoon of vegetable oil and stirring vigorously can help smooth it out.

Springtime Butter Cookies Recipe

Name: Springtime Butter Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup butter; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 large egg; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 200g white chocolate, good quality; 1/4 cup pastel-colored sprinkles

Description

Delightfully buttery and rich, these Springtime Butter Cookies are a treat that melts in your mouth. With beautifully piped shapes, a touch of white chocolate, and pastel sprinkles, these cookies bring a festive and elegant touch to your dessert table while being simple to make!

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the cookies:

1 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
2 cups all-purpose flour

For the topping:

200g white chocolate, good quality
1/4 cup pastel-colored sprinkles

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Instructions

Preheat your oven.
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. This ensures the oven is at the right temperature when the cookies are ready to bake.
Cream butter and sugar.
In a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar for about 2 minutes until smooth. The texture should be light and the sugar almost dissolved.
Add flavorings and egg.
Add the salt and vanilla extract, then mix in the egg. Stir the mixture just until all ingredients are well combined.
Incorporate the flour.
Gradually mix in the flour, adding 1/2 cup at a time. Use a low-speed setting to prevent overmixing and ensure a soft, tender cookie dough.
Prepare your piping bag.
Transfer the dough to a decorating bag fitted with a Wilton 1M piping tip. This step allows you to create those lovely flower-like swirls.
Pipe the cookies.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Starting from the center, pipe your dough into a circular swirl. For finishing the circle, gently press the dough to the edge of the design to form a complete shape.
Bake the cookies.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Watch closely to ensure only light browning on the edges, as the cookies can darken quickly. Once done, allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before adding the topping.
Melt the white chocolate.
Break the white chocolate into pieces and melt it in the microwave. Heat for 30 seconds initially, stir, then continue heating in 10-second increments until smooth and fully melted.
Dip and decorate.
Dip one side of each cooled cookie into the melted chocolate. While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle with pastel-colored sprinkles for a beautiful finish. Place the cookies on parchment paper to set.

Notes

Storage Instructions:
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
For cookies dipped in chocolate, storing them in the refrigerator is recommended. Let them come to room temperature before serving.
Freezing Instructions:
The plain cookies (without white chocolate) can be frozen in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Ensure they are cooled completely before freezing. The flavor may slightly degrade over time if stored longer.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 135
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 50mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg