Name: Danish Butter Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: Danish
Ingredients: 1 cup (227 g) European salted butter, room temperature; ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar; ⅛ teaspoon salt; 2 egg yolks; 2 teaspoons (10 g) vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon (15 g) whole milk, or more to soften; 2 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour; ½ cup (50 g) cake flour; Coarse sugar for decorating

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 7 reviews

If you’ve ever tasted those delightfully crisp, melt-in-your-mouth treats from elegant tins during the holidays, then you know exactly what I mean when I say I love the classic Danish Butter Cookies Recipe. It’s one of those recipes that feels fancy yet is so straightforward to make at home. I’m excited to share my tried-and-true method for these buttery delights that aren’t just good—they’re fan-freaking-tastic. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step so you nail them just right, every time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Rich Butter Base: Using European salted butter gives these cookies their signature creamy flavor and perfect texture.
Dual Flour Blend: Combining all-purpose and cake flour balances crispiness and tenderness flawlessly.
Piping & Chilling Step: Piping the dough and chilling it before baking ensures those buttery shapes hold up without spreading too much.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: Basic pantry staples come together to create an elegant cookie you’ll want to bake again and again.

Danish Butter Cookies, Danish Butter Cookies recipe, how to make Danish Butter Cookies, homemade Danish Butter Cookies, classic Danish cookies - A round white container filled with five light golden cookies, each placed in white paper cups. The cookies have different shapes and textures: one is a heart with two holes and sugar crystals on top, two have soft swirling patterns with sugar crystals, and two have star-like ridged patterns. Around the container are more cookies in white paper cups and a small bowl holding coarse sugar. A green cloth and a ribbon with red stripes are near the container on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Danish Butter Cookies Recipe is carefully chosen to create that perfect balance of flavor and texture. I’ve included some tips so you know exactly why each one deserves a spot in the mix—and where to maybe switch things up if you want to.

Danish Butter Cookies, Danish Butter Cookies recipe, how to make Danish Butter Cookies, homemade Danish Butter Cookies, classic Danish cookies - Flat lay of European salted butter in a square slab, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated sugar, a few grains of coarse salt scattered beside, two brown whole eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl holding clear pale vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl with whole milk, a small white ceramic bowl heaped with all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl containing cake flour, and a small white ceramic bowl with coarse sugar crystals, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

European Salted Butter: The heart of this recipe, it’s richer and creamier than regular butter, adding amazing flavor and ensuring your cookies melt just right.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and slight crunch on the surface after baking.
Salt: Enhances the butter’s flavor and balances sweetness; if using unsalted butter, increase salt to compensate.
Egg Yolks: Adds richness and helps bind the dough while keeping it tender.
Vanilla Extract: Classic flavor enhancer that rounds out the buttery notes perfectly.
Whole Milk: Softens the dough just enough for easy piping without making it too wet.
All-Purpose Flour: The structural base that gives the cookies their sturdy yet delicate texture.
Cake Flour: This ingredient lightens up the dough for a melt-in-your-mouth experience—no dense cookies here.
Coarse Sugar (for decorating): A little sprinkle adds festive sparkle and an extra bit of crunch.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love how this Danish Butter Cookies Recipe offers a perfect base for personalization. Over the years, I’ve played with little tweaks that make the cookies suit different moods or occasions. Don’t hesitate to experiment with your own favorite flavors or textures!

Lemon Zest Variation: Adding fresh lemon zest to the dough gives a bright, citrusy twist I adore in springtime batches.
Chocolate Dip: Sometimes I half-dip the cooled cookies in melted dark chocolate — trust me, your cookie game will go through the roof.
Nutty Touch: Sprinkle chopped toasted almonds or pecans on top before baking for crunch and a toasty flavor that pairs beautifully with the butter.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Danish Butter Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preparing Your Workspace & Chilling Setup

First off, make sure you’ve cleared some space in your fridge to chill the shaped cookies later on. I line up two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats—this way, everything’s prepped and ready to go. Chilling is crucial here; without it, your piped cookies might spread too thin and lose their shape.

Step 2: Creaming Butter, Sugar & Salt

Pop your room temperature European butter into a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Cream on medium speed until smooth. While the mixer’s running on low, slowly add sugar and salt. Keep creaming until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—it’s the secret to giving these cookies their tender bite.

Step 3: Adding Egg Yolks, Vanilla & Milk

Next, slowly add in your egg yolks, vanilla extract, and milk while continuing to mix on medium speed. These ingredients add richness and help bind the dough together. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl so everything combines perfectly.

Step 4: Mixing in Flours to Form Dough

Whisk together your all-purpose and cake flours in a separate bowl, then add them to your butter mixture in two batches. Mix on low speed just until there’s no visible flour left. If the dough feels too stiff to pipe, adding a tablespoon more milk softens it without sacrificing texture.

Step 5: Piping & Chilling the Cookies

Transfer your cookie dough into a piping bag fitted with a ½-inch open star tip. Pipe out 2-inch cookies in your favorite shapes—rosettes, circles, pretzels, even squares. Space them out evenly on the baking sheet and sprinkle with coarse sugar or festive sprinkles if you’re feeling fun. Now, here’s the golden rule: chill them in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes before baking. This little timeout helps the cookies keep their flair and stops them from spreading too much.

Step 6: Baking to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F and position the rack in the middle. Bake your chilled cookies for 10-15 minutes until the edges just start to turn a light golden brown. Keep a close eye here—overbaking dries them out, and they’re so much better with that slight softness in the center. Once baked, let them cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

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Pro Tips for Making Danish Butter Cookies Recipe

Use Room Temperature Butter: Let your butter sit out about 45 minutes before baking. It should feel soft but not melty to touch—this helps create a smooth, creamy dough.
Don’t Overmix Your Dough: Mixing too much develops gluten and toughens your cookies, so stop as soon as the flour disappears.
Measure Flour Accurately: If you don’t have a kitchen scale, gently fluff your flour before spooning it into the cup—don’t pack it down!
Watch Baking Time Closely: Depending on cookie size and oven, bake times can vary—aim for just golden edges to keep that perfect melt.

How to Serve Danish Butter Cookies Recipe

Danish Butter Cookies, Danish Butter Cookies recipe, how to make Danish Butter Cookies, homemade Danish Butter Cookies, classic Danish cookies - The image shows a close-up of a single golden-brown cookie shaped like a flower with eight rounded petals, each petal having ridged textures that add dimension. The cookie's surface is dusted with large sparkling sugar crystals that catch the light, adding a crunchy look. The edges of the cookie are slightly darker, showing where it was baked to a perfect crisp. Around the main cookie, a few more similar cookies are visible but softly out of focus. All the cookies rest on crinkled white parchment paper that adds a soft, textured background. The overall tone is warm and inviting, highlighting the delicate flower shape and sugary details. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Whenever I serve these cookies, I like a light sprinkle of coarse sugar on top just before baking for that little sparkle and crunch. Sometimes, a thin drizzle of melted dark chocolate or a tiny pinch of sea salt right after baking takes them from lovely to unforgettable. Fresh strawberry slices or a dollop of whipped cream on the side work beautifully if you want to get fancy.

Side Dishes

These butter cookies are fantastic on their own but also pair well with a cup of strong black coffee or a smooth cup of Earl Grey tea. For festive gatherings, I love offering them alongside a cheese board with mild cheeses and fruit preserves. You’ll enjoy how the buttery sweetness contrasts with savory and tangy flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

One of my favorite things to do is stack these cookies in a pretty tin lined with parchment, tied with a festive ribbon for gifts. For holiday parties, arrange them on a tiered cake stand mixed with dipped and sprinkled varieties. Or try piping the dough into themed shapes—think stars or hearts—and present them on a decorative platter sprinkled with edible gold dust for extra wow factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Danish Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they usually stay fresh and crisp for up to 5 days. If you notice any softness, a brief re-crisp in the oven brings them right back to life. Keeping them away from humidity is key—so no open jars of jam or steaming cups right next to them!

Freezing

One of the best things about this recipe: you can freeze the unbaked, shaped dough for up to 2-3 months! I just lay the piped cookies on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, no need to thaw—just pop them into the oven and extend your baking time by a couple of minutes. Frozen baked cookies do well too, sealed airtight for up to 3 months.

Reheating

If your cookies lose their crispness, pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This little reheating trick refreshes their buttery crunch without drying them out. Just keep a close eye so they don’t darken too much.

FAQs

Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?

Yes! If using unsalted butter, add an additional ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt to your dough. This keeps the balance of flavors intact.
Why do you use both all-purpose and cake flour?

The combination gives you cookies that are crisp but still tender and melt-in-your-mouth—cake flour lightens up the texture. If unavailable, feel free to use only all-purpose flour (about 260 grams), but expect a slightly different crumb.
How important is chilling the dough before baking?

Chilling is super important for this recipe; it helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too thin in the oven. I never skip this step—it makes a huge difference.
Can I substitute the egg yolks?

Egg yolks add richness and help with dough structure, but if you need to substitute, try using a flax egg or a commercial egg replacer designed for baking. Texture might be slightly different but still tasty.

Final Thoughts

Making this Danish Butter Cookies Recipe has been one of my favorite kitchen rituals—there’s something so comforting about turning simple, quality ingredients into buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that everyone loves. I hope you’ll enjoy baking and sharing them as much as I do. Whether it’s for a holiday gift, a cozy afternoon treat, or a fancy tea accompaniment, these cookies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Give them a try, and I promise you’ll be hooked!