Butter cookies, also known as Danish butter cookies, are cookies originating in Denmark consisting of butter, flour, and sugar.[1] They are similar to shortbread cookies.

Butter cookie/ sugar cookie
Alternative namessablés, Danish butter cookies
TypeCookie
Place of originDenmark
Main ingredientsButter, flour, sugar

The butter cookie is often categorized as a "crisp cookie" due to its texture, caused in part by the quantity of butter and sugar. It is generally necessary to chill its dough to enable proper manipulation and handling.

Butter cookies at their most basic have no flavoring, but they are often flavored with vanilla, chocolate, and coconut, and/or topped with sugar crystals. They also come in a variety of shapes such as circles, squares, ovals, rings, and pretzel-like forms, and with a variety of appearances, including marbled, checkered or plain.[2] Using piping bags, twisted shapes can be made. In some parts of the world, such as Europe and North America, butter cookies are often served around Christmas time.[3] Butter cookies are also a very popular gift in Hong Kong, especially during Lunar New Year.[4][5]

Danish butter cookies

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Butter and flour

Denmark has been a notable exporter of butter cookies for many years, in particular to the US and Asia. The cookies are made in many varieties, and exported industrial-grade butter cookies are typically packed and sold in tins,[6][7][8][9] with Royal Dansk being a notable example.[6] Due to the uniform packaging and labeling, it's also known as "The Blue Tin".[10] Denmark is known for maintaining the quality of their ingredients and their procedure since 1966.[11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Clark, Melissa (October 9, 2013). "Cultured Butter Cookies Recipe". NYT Cooking. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  2. ^ "These buttery cookies are the perfect canvas for holiday decorations". Today. December 12, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  3. ^ Kaloski, Patricia. "The Christmas cookie". The Tide of Moriches & Manorville. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  4. ^ "Chinese New Year in Hong Kong". Hong Kong FastFacts. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  5. ^ Wright, Rachel (May 15, 2008). Living and Working in Hong Kong: The Complete Practical Guide to Expatriate Life in China's Gateway. How to Books Ltd. p. 96. ISBN 978-1845281953.
  6. ^ a b "The Enduring Appeal of Royal Dansk Butter Cookies". Vice. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  7. ^ Butter Cookies in Tins from Denmark. U.S. International Trade Commission. Volume 3092 of USITC publication. pp. I1-I12. 1998.
  8. ^ "Danish Butter Cookies". Biscuit people. 2020-11-13. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  9. ^ "Danish Butter Cookies: Process and recipes". Biscuit people. 2021-04-23. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
  10. ^ Roufs, Timothy G (2014). Sweet Treats around the World : An Encyclopedia of Food and Culture. Abc-Clio.
  11. ^ "Welcome To The Home Of Royal Dansk Danish Butter Cookies". www.royal-dansk.com. Retrieved 2022-11-28.

Further reading

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  • Friberg, Bo. The Professional Pastry Chef. 4th. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2002.