Do you ever find yourself staring into the pantry, willing something delicious to magically appear? That was me last week, staring blankly when my daughter piped up, “Mommy, I want something yummy!” Enter: French Salted Butter Cookies. These little discs of buttery goodness are my go-to when I need a quick, satisfying treat that feels just a bit fancy. Plus, the kids think I’m some kind of baking genius, which, let’s be honest, is a win!
French Salted Butter Cookies are my sanity saver. They use simple ingredients I usually have on hand, and they come together faster than you can say “Mommy needs a chocolate break.” If you’re a fellow kitchen warrior juggling a million things, grab your apron, and let’s get baking!
INGREDIENTS You’ll Need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt, plus more for sprinkling

Trust me, this ingredient list is short because mama doesn’t have time for complicated! You can grab almost everything you need at Target while doing your regular grocery run!
No worries if you only have salted butter! Just omit the sea salt from the recipe. I have done this many times.
I also love to add a pinch of cinnamon to my French Salted Butter Cookies for a little extra warmth, especially during the fall and winter months. My family loves it when I add the extra spice!
Here’s a mom trick that saved my sanity: I measure out the dry ingredients ahead of time and store them in a container. That way, when the cookie craving hits, I’m halfway there! French Salted Butter Cookies are the perfect fix!
Storage wisdom: These French Butter Cookies stay fresh in an airtight container for up to a week (if they last that long!).
Let’s Make it Happen!
- First, cream together the softened butter and sugars in a large bowl until light and fluffy. I use my stand mixer, but a hand mixer works great too. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl!
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Don’t worry if it looks a little curdled at this stage; it will all come together.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures that everything is evenly distributed.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! This is key to keeping your French Salted Butter Cookies tender.
- Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disc. Wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This is where the magic happens.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Parchment paper is a must!
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes. My kids love using heart and star shapes! Gather the scraps, reroll, and cut out more cookies.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. Sprinkle with sea salt. Don’t skip this step! It is the key to French Salted Butter Cookies!
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Your French Salted Butter Cookies should smell amazing by now!
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Here’s where I used to mess up my French Salted Butter Cookies – I would overbake them! Don’t make my mistake! They continue to bake a little as they cool.
While your French Salted Butter Cookies are doing its thing in the oven, pour yourself that well-deserved coffee and maybe fold a load of laundry. Multi-tasking, anyone?
In my chaotic kitchen, French Salted Butter Cookies usually takes me about an hour from start to finish, including chill time. It’s the perfect activity for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
How We Love to Eat This!
My kids devour these French Salted Butter Cookies when I serve them with a cold glass of milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They also love to dip them in chocolate sauce. Who am I kidding? I love that too!
I find these French Salted Butter Cookies are perfect for those crazy weeknight dinners when everyone is starving, and I need a quick and satisfying dessert. They’re also great for packing in lunchboxes or bringing to a potluck.
For a little extra flair, try drizzling melted chocolate over the cooled cookies. Or, you can sandwich two cookies together with a layer of salted caramel filling.
These Salted Butter Biscuits are also delicious with a cup of tea or coffee. They’re the perfect afternoon treat! My best friend loves these French Butter Cookies!
If you’re feeling fancy, you can even use these cookies as a base for mini tarts. Just press the dough into muffin tins and fill with your favorite fruit or custard.
Got leftovers? Crumble them over ice cream or yogurt for a delicious topping. Or, use them to make a French Salted Butter Cookies crust for a cheesecake!
FAQs: Your Questions Answered
Can my picky eater handle these French Salted Butter Cookies?
Absolutely! The buttery flavor and slightly salty kick are usually a hit with even the pickiest eaters. Plus, you can cut them into fun shapes to make them more appealing.
What if I burn my French Salted Butter Cookies? (Asking for a friend… okay, it was me!)
Don’t worry, we’ve all been there! If they’re just slightly burned, you can try scraping off the burnt parts with a knife. If they’re too far gone, toss them and start a new batch. Learn from it and adjust your baking time next time. French Salted Butter Cookies are worth it!
Can I make this French Salted Butter Cookies ahead for meal prep?
Yes! The dough can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Just be sure to wrap it tightly.
Can I substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour?
Yes, you can! Just be sure to use a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that contains xanthan gum. The texture may be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious French Salted Butter Cookies.
What’s the secret to getting that perfect, slightly salty flavor?
The key is to use good quality sea salt and to sprinkle it generously over the cookies before baking. Don’t be shy!
Can I add chocolate chips to these French Salted Butter Cookies?
Of course! Chocolate chips are always a good idea. Just fold them into the dough before chilling. Breton Shortbread with chocolate chips is delicious!
My dough is too sticky to roll out. What should I do?
If your dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the right consistency. You can also try chilling it for a longer period of time.
Final Thoughts:
These French Salted Butter Cookies are more than just a recipe to me; they’re a symbol of those little moments of joy we can create in the midst of the beautiful chaos of family life. They’re a reminder that even the simplest things can bring so much happiness.

My French Salted Butter Cookies Mom Hacks:
- Make a double batch and freeze half of the dough for later.
- Use a pizza cutter to easily cut the dough into squares.
- Let your kids help with the cookie cutting and decorating.
Family-Tested French Salted Butter Cookies Variations:
- Lemon zest: Add the zest of one lemon to the dough for a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Almond extract: Substitute the vanilla extract with almond extract for a nutty twist.
- Spiced: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to the dough for a warm and cozy flavor.
My daughter loves the lemon zest version, while my son prefers the classic French Salted Butter Cookies with extra sea salt.
I truly hope you give these French Salted Butter Cookies a try. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make them your own. Happy baking, fellow kitchen warriors! You’ve got this! And if you want another quick cookie recipe, try these Oatmeal Raisin Cookies! And if you like this french treat, you’ll enjoy these Pumpkin French Toast Roll-Ups! For another french inspired recipe, check out this Homemade Spiced Pumpkin Butter!
French Salted Butter Cookies
These French Salted Butter Cookies, also known as Galettes Bretonnes, are buttery, crumbly, and perfectly balanced with a touch of sea salt. They’re simple to make and incredibly addictive!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Pinch of sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened salted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Shape the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter (round or any shape) to cut out cookies.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet.
- Sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of sea salt.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For an extra flavorful cookie, use high-quality salted butter with a distinct flavor. Serve with coffee or tea for a delightful treat!