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A close-up view of a stack of flaky French butter cookies, showing their crumbly texture and golden-brown edges.
FL Recipes

French Salted Butter Cookies: The Ultimate Guide to Authentic Sablés Bretons

Discover how to make authentic French Salted Butter Cookies (Sablés Bretons) with this easy recipe. Rich, crumbly, and perfectly balanced with flaky sea salt, these cookies are an irresistible treat.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: French
Calories: 120

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup high-quality salted butter softened (preferably European-style with >82% fat)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 large egg beaten, for egg wash
  • 1 tablespoon flaky sea salt for sprinkling

Equipment

  • 1 Electric Mixer
  • 2 Mixing Bowls
  • 2 Baking Sheets
  • Parchment Paper

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, beat the softened salted butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed until just combined.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in two batches, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
  4. Divide the dough in half. Shape each half into a log approximately 2 inches in diameter. Wrap the logs tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
  5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  6. Unwrap one dough log and slice it into 1/3-inch thick rounds. Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, about 1 inch apart. Brush the tops with the beaten egg wash and sprinkle generously with flaky sea salt.
  7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the edges are a deep golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcalProtein: 1.5gFat: 8gFiber: 0.5g

Notes

For an extra rich flavor, use a high-quality vanilla bean paste instead of extract.
Ensure the butter is softened, not melted, for the best texture.
The dough can be made ahead and stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply slice and bake from frozen.
Keyword French Salted Butter Cookies,Sablés Bretons,shortbread cookies

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