Cultured Butter Cookies with Aged Vanilla Bean Infusion Recipe

Learn how to make these homemade cultured butter cookies with aged vanilla bean infusion that elevate the classic cookie to extraordinary heights. This easy baking recipe features the complex tang of cultured butter paired with the aromatic depth of vanilla beans for the best buttery, fragrant cookies you'll ever taste.

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Prep Time:

25 mins

Cook Time:

12 mins

Serves:

24 cookies

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">225g cultured butter, softened (European-style butter with active cultures)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">150g granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 large egg, room temperature</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 aged vanilla beans, split and scraped (or regular vanilla beans)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">280g all-purpose flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 teaspoon baking powder</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Flaky sea salt for sprinkling (optional)</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Stand mixer with paddle attachment</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Baking sheets</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Parchment paper</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Small sharp knife (for splitting vanilla beans)</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Cookie scoop or tablespoon measure</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Place the cultured butter in the bowl of your stand mixer. Allow it to soften at room temperature until it reaches a consistency where it gives slightly when pressed but isn't melting (about 20°C/68°F). Properly softened butter is crucial for incorporating air during creaming, which creates the cookies' delicate texture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Using a small sharp knife, split the vanilla beans lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with the back of your knife. These tiny black specks contain intense vanilla flavor compounds that will distribute throughout your dough.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>In your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the softened cultured butter, vanilla bean seeds, and granulated sugar on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. The mixture should transform from yellow to almost white in color. This extended creaming incorporates air bubbles that create your cookies' tender structure.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix on medium speed until completely incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. The mixture may look slightly curdled at first, but will come together with continued mixing.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and sea salt. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix on low speed just until combined. Overmixing at this stage develops gluten, which can make your cookies tough rather than tender.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 48 hours). This resting period allows the flour to fully hydrate and the butter to firm up, which prevents excessive spreading during baking and intensifies the flavor development.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to slightly soften.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon measure, portion the dough into 24 equal balls (about 28g each) and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 5cm (2 inches) apart to allow for spreading.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>For a decorative finish, gently press the tops of the cookies with a fork to create a crosshatch pattern. If desired, sprinkle a few flakes of sea salt on top of each cookie – this will enhance the complex flavors of the cultured butter and vanilla.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Bake the cookies one sheet at a time in the center of the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden while the centers remain pale. The cookies will look slightly underdone in the center – this ensures they'll have that perfect tender interior once cooled.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4>Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes (they'll continue cooking from residual heat). Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. As they cool, the cookies will develop their final texture – crisp at the edges and tender in the middle.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 12</h4>Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. The flavor of these cookies actually improves after 24 hours as the vanilla notes continue to develop and meld with the cultured butter.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Cultured Butter Cookies with Aged Vanilla Bean Infusion Recipe?

The key ingredients include cultured European-style butter, aged vanilla beans, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and sea salt. Optional flaky sea salt can be added as a finishing touch for enhanced flavour contrast.

How to cook Cultured Butter Cookies with Aged Vanilla Bean Infusion Recipe at home?

Learn how to cook Cultured Butter Cookies with Aged Vanilla Bean Infusion by creaming cultured butter with sugar and vanilla bean seeds, adding egg and dry ingredients, then chilling the dough before portioning and baking at 175°C for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden whilst centres remain pale. The process creates perfectly crisp-edged cookies with tender middles.

Why use cultured butter instead of regular butter in cookies?

Cultured butter contains active cultures that create complex tangy notes, adding depth and richness to your cookies. It typically has a higher fat content (82-86% versus 80% in regular butter), resulting in more tender, flavourful cookies with better browning qualities.

Can I substitute regular vanilla extract for the aged vanilla beans?

While possible, aged vanilla beans provide superior flavour complexity and visual appeal with those distinctive specks throughout the cookies. If substituting, use 1 additional teaspoon of high-quality vanilla extract, though you'll miss the visual element and nuanced flavour notes.

How long can I keep the cookie dough in the refrigerator before baking?

The dough can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours before baking, which actually improves flavour as it allows time for the vanilla to permeate and the cultured butter notes to develop. For longer storage, portion the dough and freeze for up to 3 months.

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