Butternut Cookies
Butternut Cookies are a delightful treat featuring a blend of buttery, nutty flavors with a light, tender texture. Made with simple ingredients like unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and finely chopped walnuts, these cookies are a perfect blend of sweetness and richness.
The dough, enriched with vanilla extract, is chilled to achieve a manageable consistency, then rolled in powdered sugar for a classic, elegant finish.
Baked until the edges are just golden, these cookies offer a melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s ideal for sharing with friends and family or enjoying as a special indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
People will love this Butternut Cookies recipe because it offers the perfect balance of buttery richness and delicate sweetness.
The combination of soft, unsalted butter and powdered sugar creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture, while the finely chopped walnuts add a subtle crunch and depth of flavor.
These cookies are not overly sweet, allowing the nutty aroma of the walnuts and the warmth of vanilla extract to shine through.
The light, powdery coating of additional powdered sugar gives them a charming, melt-in-your-mouth finish.
These cookies are simple yet indulgent, making them a perfect treat for any occasion, from cozy afternoons to holiday gatherings.
Key Ingredients:
Key ingredients in these Butternut Cookies include soft unsalted butter, which creates a rich and tender texture; powdered sugar, which adds sweetness and helps achieve a melt-in-your-mouth consistency; all-purpose flour, providing the base for the dough; finely chopped walnuts, which offer a subtle crunch and nutty flavor; and a touch of vanilla extract, giving the cookies a comforting, aromatic depth.
The powdered sugar coating gives these cookies their signature sweet, powdery finish.
Butternut Cookies
Ingredients
1 (2 sticks) Cup.Of Soft unsalted butter.
1/2 Cup.Of powdered sugar.
2 Cups.Of all-purpose flour.
1 Cup.Of finely chopped walnuts .
1 Tsp.Of vanilla extract.
Pinch of salt.
Additional powdered sugar for rolling.
Instructions:
In a mixing basin, blend together the butter and powdered sugar until light and airy. This phase integrates air into the dough to produce a tender consistency.
Infuse the dough with vanilla extract to impart its comforting aroma and flavor. Incorporate the all-purpose flour and a sprinkle of salt into the butter mixture in increments. The ingredients must be mixed until a dough forms.
Chop the walnuts or pecans very finely to impart a delicate texture to the cookies. Gently incorporate the coarsely minced almonds into the dough, distributing them uniformly throughout.
Form the dough into a ball and cover it with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the mixture for thirty minutes. Chilling the mixture makes it more manageable and prevents the cookies from expanding excessively during baking.
Form 1-inch-diameter spheres from tiny portions of refrigerated dough. The powdery appearance of these biscuits is achieved by rolling each pastry lump in powdered sugar.
Place the dough spheres with their coatings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them for expansion. Bake the Butternut Cookies for 12 to 15 minutes in a preheated oven, or until the edges are faintly golden.
Allow the cookies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once the Butternut Cookies have completely chilled, place them in an opaque container to preserve their delicate texture.
Notes:
Butter Consistency: Ensure the butter is soft but not melted. Soft butter creams well with the powdered sugar, leading to a lighter cookie texture.
Mixing: Beat the butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, making the cookies tender.
Flour Addition: Add flour gradually to avoid overmixing, which can lead to a denser cookie. Mix just until the dough comes together.
Nut Chopping: Finely chop the walnuts to ensure an even distribution in the dough and a smooth texture. Larger pieces can disrupt the dough’s consistency.
Chilling: Chilling the dough makes it easier to handle and prevents spreading during baking. Don’t skip this step for best results.
Shaping: Roll the dough balls in powdered sugar before baking to give the cookies their signature appearance and extra sweetness.
Baking Time: Keep an eye on the cookies as they bake. They should be lightly golden around the edges; overbaking can make them too crispy.
Cooling: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them set and prevents breaking.
Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and maintain their delicate texture.
Variations: Consider adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor, or substitute the walnuts with pecans or almonds if preferred.
Nutrition Information:
YIELDS: 24 cookies | SERVING SIZE: 1
Calories: ~130 kcal | Total Fat: 8 g | Saturated Fat: 5 g | Trans Fat: 0 g | Cholesterol: 30 mg | Sodium: 30 mg | Total Carbohydrates: 12 g | Dietary Fiber: 0.5 g | Sugars: 6 g | Protein: 2 g
Frequently Asked Questions:
What’s the purpose of chilling the dough before baking the Butternut Cookies?
Chilling the dough serves a couple of purposes.
Firstly, it helps firm up the dough, making it easier to handle and shape into cookies.
Secondly, chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, which can lead to flatter and thinner cookies.
It also allows the flavors to meld and develop for a better taste.
Can I use other types of nuts instead of walnuts for these cookies?
Yes, you can substitute walnuts with other nuts like pecans, almonds, or even hazelnuts if you prefer.
Just make sure to finely chop them to achieve a similar texture and flavor balance in the cookies.
Why do I need to roll the cookie dough balls in powdered sugar?
Rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar before baking serves multiple purposes
It adds a delicate sweetness and a slightly crunchy outer layer to the cookies.
It also creates a beautiful powdery appearance that’s characteristic of Butternut Cookies.
Can I freeze the Butternut Cookie dough for later use?
Yes, you can prepare the cookie dough and shape it into balls, then freeze them on a baking sheet.
Once they’re frozen solid, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag.
When you’re ready to bake, you can place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake as directed, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
What’s the best way to store Butternut Cookies to keep them fresh?
To maintain the delicate texture of Butternut Cookies, store them in an opaque airtight container at room temperature.
Avoid storing them in a humid environment, as moisture can affect their texture.
You can also add a piece of bread to the container to help absorb any excess moisture and keep the cookies crisp.
Why are these cookies called Butternut Cookies?
Despite their name, Butternut Cookies do not typically contain butternut squash or butter-like nuts.
The name likely refers to their rich and nutty flavor profile that resembles the taste of certain nuts.
It’s important to note that the “butternut” in the name refers to the flavor, not the actual nuts or squash.
Can I use salted butter for this recipe?
While the recipe calls for unsalted butter, you can use salted butter if that’s what you have on hand.
If you use salted butter, consider reducing or omitting the additional pinch of salt in the recipe to avoid over-salting the cookies.
Why is it important to finely chop the walnuts for the cookies?
Finely chopping the walnuts ensures that they are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough, providing a consistent nutty flavor and texture in every bite.
Larger walnut pieces might lead to uneven distribution and affect the cookie’s texture.
Can I skip the step of rolling the dough in powdered sugar?
Rolling the cookie dough in powdered sugar not only adds a touch of sweetness to the cookies but also creates their distinctive powdery appearance.
It’s a signature feature of Butternut Cookies.
Skipping this step would alter both the flavor and appearance of the cookies.
Can I substitute the walnuts with other types of nuts or ingredients?
While the recipe specifically calls for walnuts, you can experiment with other finely chopped nuts like pecans, almonds, or even hazelnuts if you prefer a different flavor.
However, keep in mind that the choice of nuts may alter the final taste and texture of the cookies.