Name: French Salted Butter Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-485997H35M16S
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted French butter, softened; ¾ cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon sea salt (or fleur de sel); Additional sea salt for sprinkling

These elegant French Salted Butter Cookies offer the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors in a delightfully buttery, crisp-edged cookie. A traditional French treat that brings a touch of sophistication to your afternoon tea or coffee break, these cookies showcase the beautiful contrast between rich butter and flaky sea salt.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These French Salted Butter Cookies are incredibly simple yet remarkably sophisticated. The contrast between the sweet cookie base and the delicate sprinkle of sea salt creates a flavor profile that’s utterly addictive. They require basic ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry, yet yield a cookie that feels special enough for gifting or serving to guests. The dough comes together quickly, and the brief chilling time ensures perfectly shaped cookies that won’t spread too much during baking. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice in the kitchen, this foolproof recipe delivers consistently delicious results that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Unsalted French butter forms the foundation of these cookies, providing that unmistakably rich, nutty flavor that makes French butter cookies so special. If you can’t find French butter, any high-quality European-style butter with a higher fat content will work beautifully. The butter should be properly softened for the best incorporation.
Granulated sugar adds just the right level of sweetness without overwhelming the delicate butter flavor. The sugar also helps create that perfect crisp-yet-tender texture that makes these cookies so irresistible.
Egg acts as a binder in this recipe, helping to hold all the ingredients together while also contributing to the cookies’ structure and richness.
Vanilla extract provides a warm, aromatic backdrop that enhances the butter’s flavor. Pure vanilla extract yields the best results, but imitation will work in a pinch.
All-purpose flour creates the structure for these cookies. Be careful not to overmix once the flour is added to avoid developing too much gluten, which can make the cookies tough rather than tender.
Baking powder gives just a slight lift to these cookies, ensuring they’re not too dense while still maintaining their characteristic buttery texture.
Sea salt is the star ingredient that transforms these from ordinary butter cookies into something special. Added both to the dough and sprinkled on top, it creates delightful little bursts of saltiness that perfectly complement the sweet, buttery base. Fleur de sel is traditional, but any good quality sea salt will work well.

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy and light.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and sea salt in a separate bowl.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms.
Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to help maintain shape while baking.
Once chilled, roll tablespoon-sized portions into balls and place them on the baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of each cookie for an extra burst of flavor.
Bake for 10–12 minutes until the edges turn golden while the centers stay soft.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets briefly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve and enjoy alongside your favorite tea or coffee.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields approximately 24 cookies, making it perfect for sharing with friends and family or storing for later enjoyment. The preparation takes about 15 minutes, plus 30 minutes of chilling time. Baking requires just 10-12 minutes, bringing the total time to around 40 minutes. Each cookie contains approximately 120 calories, making them a reasonable treat to enjoy with your afternoon coffee or tea.

Variations

Citrus Infused: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon, orange, or lime zest to the dough for a bright, citrusy variation.
Herbal Touch: Incorporate 1-2 teaspoons of finely chopped fresh rosemary, lavender, or thyme for an elegant, herbaceous twist.
Chocolate Dipped: Once cooled, dip half of each cookie in melted dark chocolate and allow to set for a decadent contrast to the salty-sweet base.
Spiced Version: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg to the dry ingredients for a warmly spiced cookie.
Brown Butter: For a deeper, nuttier flavor, brown the butter before cooling it to room temperature and proceeding with the recipe.
Almond Variation: Replace the vanilla extract with almond extract and press a single blanched almond into the center of each cookie before baking.

Storage/Reheating

These French Salted Butter Cookies store beautifully, making them ideal for preparing ahead of time. Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
The cookie dough can also be frozen before baking. Roll the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, place the frozen dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, sprinkle with sea salt, and bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
While these cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature, you can refresh them by warming in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes if they’ve lost their crispness. This will revive their texture and enhance the buttery aroma.

FAQs

Why did my cookies spread too much?

If your cookies spread too much during baking, the butter was likely too warm. Make sure to properly chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. Another cause could be using butter with too low fat content – European-style butter works best for this recipe.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

You can use salted butter, but you’ll need to adjust the amount of added salt. Reduce the sea salt in the dough to 1/4 teaspoon, but still sprinkle a bit on top for that classic flavor contrast.

Is it necessary to chill the dough?

Yes, chilling the dough is an important step. It allows the flour to hydrate fully, firms up the butter, and ensures the cookies maintain their shape during baking rather than spreading too thin.

What if I don’t have sea salt or fleur de sel?

While sea salt or fleur de sel provides the best flavor and texture contrast, you can substitute kosher salt in the dough. For the topping, if you don’t have flaky salt, you can use a light sprinkle of regular kosher salt or omit it, though you’ll lose some of the signature flavor contrast.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Look for one that contains xanthan gum for the best texture results.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

The cookies are done when the edges turn golden brown while the centers remain slightly soft. They will continue to firm up as they cool, so be careful not to overbake them.

Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts?

Absolutely! While traditional French butter cookies don’t typically include mix-ins, you can add up to 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips, finely chopped nuts, or dried fruit if desired.

Why are my cookies too hard?

Overly hard cookies usually result from either too much flour or overbaking. Make sure to measure your flour correctly (spoon and level, don’t scoop) and watch the baking time carefully.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, the dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept refrigerated. You may need to let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before scooping if it becomes too firm.

What’s the best way to achieve a uniform cookie size?

Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon measure ensures uniform sizing. For even more precision, you can weigh each portion to about 25-30 grams.

Conclusion

These French Salted Butter Cookies embody the elegant simplicity that makes French baking so beloved. With their perfect balance of sweet and salty, crisp edges and tender centers, they’re a testament to how a few quality ingredients can create something truly special. Whether served with afternoon tea, packed in a lunchbox, or presented as a thoughtful homemade gift, these cookies are sure to delight anyone who tries them. The recipe’s straightforward nature makes it accessible to bakers of all skill levels, while the results feel sophisticated enough for special occasions. Master this classic, and you’ll have a reliable, impressive treat in your baking repertoire for years to come.