Buttery, crumbly, irresistibly French
These French Salted Butter Cookies—known as Sablés Bretons—are rich, golden, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Made with high-quality salted butter, they have that perfect sweet-salty balance and a tender, sandy crumb that feels effortlessly elegant. They’re ideal for holiday cookie boxes, coffee breaks, or anytime you want a simple treat that tastes beautifully homemade. Even better? The dough comes together quickly with basic ingredients, making this a go-to for busy bakers who still want something truly special. One bite, and you’ll understand why these cookies are a French classic ✨.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Bake Time: 12–15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Servings: About 18 cookies
📝 Ingredients
- ½ cup (115 g) high-quality salted butter, softened
- ½ cup (100 g) sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp (140 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
(Optional topping)
- Extra egg yolk for brushing
- Pinch of flaky sea salt
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Plastic wrap
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Small brush (for egg wash)
- Cooling rack
👩🏻🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cream the butter & sugar:
In a mixing bowl, beat salted butter and sugar together until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. - Add the egg yolk & vanilla:
Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla until smooth. - Add dry ingredients:
Whisk flour, baking powder, and sea salt together in a separate bowl. Add to the butter mixture and mix until a soft dough forms. - Chill the dough:
Shape the dough into a log or disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 1 hour. This helps the cookies hold their shape. - Shape the cookies:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Slice dough into ½-inch rounds or roll and cut into circles. Brush tops with egg yolk for shine 😍. - Bake:
Place on a parchment-lined sheet and bake 12–15 minutes, until edges turn lightly golden. - Cool:
Let cool on a rack—they firm up as they cool and get that perfect crumbly texture.
💡 Pro Tips
- Use European-style butter: Higher butterfat = richer, more authentic flavor.
- Add citrus: A hint of lemon or orange zest brightens the cookies beautifully.
- Make ahead: Dough freezes well for up to 2 months—perfect for holiday prep.
- Extra crunch: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking for a bakery-style finish.