🍪 Vanilla Butter Biscuits: Classic & Customizable
(Melt-in-your-mouth tender with a delicate vanilla aroma—perfect for tea time or gifting!)
✨ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Buttery richness with a delicate crumb
✔ 3 shaping options: Rolled, dropped, or piped
✔ Endlessly adaptable (see flavor variations below!)
✔ No mixer needed – mix by hand if preferred
📝 Ingredients
Base Dough
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened (European-style for extra richness)
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar (or vanilla sugar for enhanced flavor)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract (or 1 tsp vanilla bean paste)
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled
- ½ tsp baking powder (for lift)
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt (balances sweetness)
- 1-2 tbsp milk (only if dough is crumbly)
Optional Finishes
- Powdered sugar dusting
- Lemon glaze (recipe below)
- Chocolate dip (recipe below)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prep & Mix Dough
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.
- Cream butter + sugar until pale and fluffy (2-3 mins).
- Beat in egg + vanilla until fully incorporated.
- Whisk dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt) in a separate bowl.
- Gradually add dry mix to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- If dough crumbles, add milk 1 tbsp at a time.
2️⃣ Shape (Choose Your Style!)
🔸 Rolled & Cut (Most Traditional)
- Chill dough 30 mins, then roll to ¼” thickness on floured surface.
- Cut with cookie cutters (re-roll scraps once).
🔸 Drop-Style (Easiest)
- Scoop 1-tbsp portions, roll into balls, and flatten slightly.
🔸 Piped (Fancy & Festive)
- Fit piping bag with star tip; pipe rosettes or swirls.
3️⃣ Bake & Cool
- Bake 10-12 mins until just golden at edges (centers will look soft).
- Cool 5 mins on tray, then transfer to rack.
🎨 Flavor Variations
🍋 Lemon Glaze Version
- Add 1 tbsp lemon zest to dough.
- Glaze: Mix 1 cup powdered sugar + 2 tbsp lemon juice + 1 tsp zest. Drizzle over cooled biscuits.
🍫 Chocolate-Dipped Version
- Dip half of each cooled biscuit in melted dark/milk chocolate.
- Sprinkle with sea salt or crushed nuts before chocolate sets.
🌿 Lavender-Vanilla
- Add 1 tsp culinary lavender to dry ingredients.
- Glaze with vanilla icing.
🔥 Pro Tips
✅ Butter temp matters: Should leave a slight indent when pressed (not greasy).
✅ Don’t overbake: They firm up as they cool.
✅ Freeze unbaked dough: Shape first, then freeze for up to 3 months (bake from frozen, adding 1-2 mins).
🛍️ Gift Packaging Ideas
- Stack in a clear cellophane bag tied with ribbon.
- Layer in a mason jar with parchment between biscuits.
- Pair with a small jar of homemade jam or tea bags.
Enjoy with coffee, tea, or as a sweet snack! ☕
Want a gluten-free version? Swap in 1:1 GF flour blend.
