Perfect Butter Cookies: Crunchy Outside, Soft Inside!

Discover the perfect recipe for butter cookies that melt in your mouth and leave everyone craving more. With a crunchy texture on the outside and a soft center, these cookies are ideal for sharing with family or even selling. Learn how to prepare this delight simply and quickly, and surprise everyone with the incredible taste of these homemade cookies.

Ingredients:

• 250g (8.8 oz) butter (at room temperature)
• 1 cup (200g/7 oz) granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups (300g/10.6 oz) all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (for chocolate dough)
• Granulated sugar (for rolling the dough balls)

Instructions:

Preparing the Base Dough:

1. Place the butter in a bowl and beat until it reaches a creamy consistency.
2. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, beating for another minute until well incorporated.
4. Sift the flour and mix it into the dough until everything is well combined. If necessary, use your hands to finish mixing when it becomes too difficult to stir with a spatula.

Dividing and Flavoring:

1. Divide the dough in half.
2. In one half, add the sifted cocoa powder and mix well until the dough is uniform.

Shaping the Cookies:

1. If the dough is too soft due to the heat, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes to make shaping easier.
2. Portion the dough into balls of approximately 12g (0.42 oz) each.
3. Roll the balls in granulated sugar to facilitate shaping with the cookie press.

Using the Cookie Press:

1. Assemble the cookie press according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Shape the cookies with the desired designs by pressing the cookie press onto the dough balls.

Cooling:

• Place the shaped cookies in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking. This helps maintain the design details during baking.

Baking:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden.
3. Let them cool completely before packaging or serving.

Additional Tips:

• You can vary the cookie flavors by adding orange or lemon zest, cinnamon, ginger, pistachios, nuts, or almonds to the base dough.
• For two-tone cookies, layer the vanilla dough over the chocolate dough, press lightly to adhere, and shape according to step 3.

Storage and Shelf Life:

• Store the cookies in well-sealed containers to maintain their crunchiness for up to 15 days.
• Shaped raw dough can be frozen for up to 90 days; bake directly from frozen for fresh cookies anytime.