Crispy Button Cookies Recipe

Snap-Happy Crispy Button Cookies Recipe for Fun Baking

Buttery, golden-brown cookies with a crisp button cookie texture have been delighting dessert enthusiasts for generations.

These delightful treats offer a perfect blend of crunch and sweetness that melts in your mouth.

The simple yet elegant button cookies bring charm to any dessert table or afternoon tea gathering.

Each bite delivers a delicate, crisp sensation that sparks pure joy.

Crafted with basic pantry ingredients, these cookies require minimal effort but promise maximum satisfaction.

Chocolate lovers and classic cookie fans alike will adore this timeless recipe.

Prepare to indulge in a delectable experience that celebrates simplicity and flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 24

For Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation for tender cookies, choose high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor and texture.
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates delicate, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness, sifted sugar ensures smooth dough without lumps.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic depth, opt for pure extract over imitation for authentic taste.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Builds cookie structure, select fresh, unbleached flour for consistent results.
  • Cornstarch: Enhances delicate texture, ensures cookies remain soft and crumbly.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness, brings out subtle flavor nuances in the dough.
For Optional Moisture:
  • Milk: Helps adjust dough consistency if too dry, use whole milk for richer texture.

How to Bake Button Cookies With Ease

  • Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and grab a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

  • Whip Together the Base

Cream butter and powdered sugar until they’re fluffy and dreamy. Splash in some vanilla for extra magic.

  • Blend the Dry Goodies

Mix flour, salt, and cornstarch into your creamy mixture. If the dough feels too crumbly, add a splash of milk to bring it together.

  • Shape Your Delights

Roll out the dough super thin. Grab a small circular cutter and start creating adorable cookie circles.

  • Create Button Details

Use a straw or piping tip to punch tiny holes in the center of each cookie, just like a real button.

  • Bake to Perfection

Slide your cookie buttons into the oven and let them turn golden around the edges (about 10-12 minutes).

  • Cool and Serve

Let the cookies rest on the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. For extra cuteness, you can thread them together like real buttons!

Add Colorful Twists to Your Button Batch

  • Let butter soften naturally at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, creamy dough that blends effortlessly.
  • Replace regular flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to make these delightful cookies safe for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Experiment with different extracts like almond, lemon, or orange to transform the classic vanilla flavor into something unique and exciting.
  • Dust cooled cookies with powdered sugar, or use food-safe markers to draw decorative thread patterns to make them look like authentic buttons.
  • Wrap unbaked cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months, allowing you to enjoy fresh cookies anytime with minimal preparation.

Display Button Cookies for Maximum Charm

  • Button Cookie Presentation Party: Whip up delightful ways to serve these adorable treats!
  • Crafty Tea Time Display: Arrange button cookies on a vintage tiered stand, creating a charming edible centerpiece that looks like a sewing basket display.
  • Sweet Gift Packaging: Thread matching buttons through cookie holes, then wrap in clear cellophane with a pretty ribbon for a handmade gift that combines baking and crafting magic.
  • Dessert Decoration Magic: Dust cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate, transforming them into elegant treats perfect for afternoon tea or dessert tables.
  • Playful Snack Board

Save These Cookies So They Stay Soft

  • Store cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their delicate texture and prevent crumbling.
  • Wrap unbaked dough in plastic wrap, freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before rolling and cutting for fresh-baked treats anytime.
  • Keep button cookies in sealed container at room temperature for 5-7 days. Ensure space is cool and dry to maintain crisp edges and delightful crunch.
  • Prepare double batch and share with friends or family. Cookies make excellent homemade gifts when packaged in cute small tins or decorative bags with ribbon.

Baking Tools to Craft Cute Button Cookies

  • Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining butter, sugar, and dry ingredients.
  • Electric mixer or whisk: Essential for beating butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Rolling pin: Helps roll dough to an even 1/4-inch thickness.
  • Round cookie cutter (1-2 inches): Creates uniform button-shaped cookies.
  • Straw or piping nozzle: Makes small holes in the center to mimic button design.
  • Baking sheet: Provides surface for baking cookies.
  • Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
  • Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and crisp up.
Print
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Crispy Button Cookies Recipe

Crispy Button Cookies Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 25 1x

Description

Button cookies bring whimsy and nostalgia to classic sweet treats. Delicate shortbread circles with charming pressed designs offer a playful twist that delights both children and adults with their adorable shapes and buttery flavor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (for extra tenderness)
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup (2 sticks/226 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon milk (if needed)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Calibrate oven to 350F (175C) and arrange parchment paper on baking tray for optimal cookie performance.
  2. Dough Formation: Whip butter and powdered sugar into a velvety, aerated mixture, incorporating vanilla extract for aromatic depth.
  3. Ingredient Integration: Gently fold flour, salt, and cornstarch into the creamy base, creating a supple dough. Adjust consistency with milk if needed for perfect texture.
  4. Shaping Technique: Elegantly roll dough to delicate 14-inch thickness, utilizing a precision round cutter to craft uniform circular shapes.
  5. Button Detailing: Puncture central zones of each cookie disc using a straw or piping nozzle, mimicking authentic button characteristics.
  6. Thermal Transformation: Position cookies on prepared surface and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges signaling completion.
  7. Finishing Touch: Allow cookies to rest momentarily on baking sheet, then transfer to cooling rack. Optional: Thread cookies together for whimsical presentation.

Notes

  • Add milk gradually if the dough feels crumbly, ensuring a smooth, workable texture that holds together easily without being too sticky.
  • Use a sharp, clean round cutter for uniform button cookies, wiping the cutter between cuts to maintain crisp edges and clean shapes.
  • Watch cookies closely during baking, as they can quickly go from perfectly golden to over-browned due to their delicate nature.
  • Consider dusting with powdered sugar, adding food coloring to the dough, or using colored sanding sugar for a playful, customized button cookie appearance.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 25
  • Calories: 110
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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