Melt in Your Mouth Butter Cookies Recipe

Who doesn’t love butter cookies that melt in your mouth? These homemade butter cookies (also known as Pastisetas cookies) are easy to make and super delicious!

Homemade butter cookies are among my most popular recipes on both my blog and YouTube channel. My Pastisetas video recipe has gained almost 2 million views and has been tested by thousands of happy bakers! These cookies are in fierce competition with my 3-ingredient butter cookies (which have reached 6 million views), my famous chocolate butter cookies, and coffee bean cookies. I’m not sure which of these easy cookie recipes is the most popular, but all have been tried by tens of thousands of people worldwide.

Why You’ll Love Butter Cookies

• Melt-in-your-mouth texture: These butter cookies are soft, delicate, and truly melt in your mouth, making them an irresistible treat.
• Easy to make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this is the perfect recipe for both beginners and experienced bakers.
• Versatile: Whether you call them Pastisetas, Danish butter cookies, or melting moments, they can be enjoyed all year round or as Christmas cookies for special occasions.
• Eggless recipe: Perfect for those who prefer egg-free desserts, these cookies are rich, buttery, and just as satisfying without eggs.
• Crowd-pleaser: These cookies are loved by everyone, and they’ve been tested by thousands of bakers worldwide, making them a proven favorite.

What Are Pastisetas?

Pastisetas are a type of traditional Spanish butter cookie known for their light, crumbly texture and rich buttery flavor. These delightful cookies are famous for their ability to melt in your mouth, making them a favorite treat for cookie lovers everywhere. A classic pastisetas recipe uses simple ingredients like butter, powdered sugar, and flour to create cookies that are delicate and irresistibly soft. They are often compared to other butter cookies, like Danish butter cookies, but what sets them apart is their melt-in-your-mouth quality. Perfect for special occasions or as a Christmas cookie, pastisetas are easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

Butter Cookies Ingredients

• Butter: The star of the recipe, providing richness and the melt-in-your-mouth texture. It also adds flavor and moisture to the cookies.
• Powdered Sugar: Gives the cookies their delicate sweetness and smooth texture. The fine sugar dissolves easily, ensuring a tender crumb.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structure of the cookies. It balances the richness of the butter and provides the right texture.
• Cornstarch: Adds softness and helps create that melt-in-your-mouth quality by making the cookies tender and delicate.
• Salt: Enhances the flavor of the cookies by balancing the sweetness and intensifying the butter’s flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the cookies and complementing the buttery richness.

How to Make Butter Cookies That Melt in Your Mouth

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar: Beat the room-temperature butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. This creates the base for the cookies’ soft texture.

2. Combine Dry Ingredients: Sift in the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Mix gently until the dough forms. Be sure not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.

3. Pipe and Chill the Dough: Transfer the dough to a piping bag with a star tip. Pipe 2-inch circles onto a lined baking sheet and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes to firm up the dough.

4. Bake and Cool: Bake until the cookies are lightly golden. Let them cool completely before enjoying their melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Troubleshooting

Even though butter cookies are easy to make, a few common issues can arise. Here’s how to troubleshoot them:

• Cookies spreading too much: If your butter cookies spread too much in the oven, it could be due to the butter being too soft or warm. To avoid this, ensure the dough is properly chilled before baking. If the dough feels too soft when piping, refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before baking.
• Cookies are too tough: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Make sure to mix the flour and cornstarch in gently, just until combined. Overworking the dough develops too much gluten, which results in a firmer texture.
• Cookies aren’t melting in your mouth: If your cookies are dry or lack the signature melt-in-your-mouth quality, the butter ratio may be off. Be sure to use enough butter, as it’s key to the soft texture. Also, don’t skip the cornstarch, which adds tenderness.
• Cookies are too pale: If your cookies remain pale, it could be because the oven isn’t hot enough. Ensure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature to achieve that light golden color.

How to Decorate Butter Cookies

Butter cookies are an excellent choice as Christmas cookies. Decorating butter cookies for Christmas can be fun and festive! Here are some easy and creative ideas:

How to Decorate Butter Cookies for Christmas

Decorating butter cookies for Christmas adds a fun, festive touch! Here are some creative ideas:

1. Chocolate Dipping: Dip half of each cooled cookie in melted chocolate—dark, milk, or white. While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle with crushed candy canes, holiday sprinkles, or edible glitter for a festive finish.
2. Royal Icing: Pipe Christmas-themed designs like snowflake cookies, trees, or stars using royal icing. Add a sprinkle of colored sugar or edible glitter to make your cookies pop with holiday colors.
3. Colored Sugar: Roll the cookie dough in red, green, or gold colored sugar before baking for a festive sparkle. You can also lightly sprinkle colored sugar on top of baked cookies for added decoration.
4. Powdered Sugar Dusting: After baking, dust the cookies with powdered sugar to give them a snowy, elegant look.

Let me know in the comment (you can also upload a photo) how you decorate your butter cookies.

Variations

1. Chocolate Butter Cookies: Add a chocolatey twist by replacing 2-3 tablespoons of flour with unsweetened cocoa powder. These chocolate butter cookies will still have the same melt-in-your-mouth texture with a rich cocoa flavor.
2. Thumbprint Cookies: Transform your butter cookies into thumbprint cookies by pressing your thumb into the center of each dough ball and filling the indentation with jam or chocolate spread before baking. These are perfect for festive occasions.
3. Dipped in Chocolate: After baking and cooling, dip half of each butter cookie into melted chocolate for a delicious, elegant finish. You can use dark, milk, or white chocolate. Sprinkle with crushed nuts or sprinkles for added flair.
4. Lemon Zest Butter Cookies: Mix in 1-2 teaspoons of lemon zest to give your cookies a refreshing citrus flavor. It’s an easy variation that adds a burst of freshness to the classic recipe.
5. Sprinkled Butter Cookies: Before baking, top your cookies with colored sugar or sprinkles. It’s an easy way to add a festive touch, especially for holidays like Christmas.

How to Store

• At Room Temperature: Store your butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days. Make sure the container is tightly sealed to maintain their crispness and prevent them from becoming stale.
• In the Refrigerator: If you prefer to extend their shelf life, you can refrigerate the cookies in an airtight container. This will keep them fresh for up to 6-8 days.
• In the Freezer: Butter cookies freeze well! Store them in a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can last up to 3 months in the freezer. Thaw the cookies at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy them.

More Cookie Recipes

If you enjoyed my butter cookies (melting moments), you might also like my other easy cookie recipes:

• The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
• Soft Lemon Cookies
• Meringue kisses
• Cream Cheese Cookies

Common Questions