If there’s one cookie recipe I reach for when time is tight and cravings are high, it’s this drop butter cookie recipe. Just a handful of pantry staples, one bowl, and no rolling or chilling. These little golden rounds come out with a soft, tender center and slightly crisp edges the kind of treat that disappears faster than you think. As a chef who has tested countless cookies, I can say these are one of the simplest and most forgiving you’ll ever bake.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Everything in this recipe is easy to find and likely already in your kitchen. The combination gives you that soft, buttery cookie with balanced sweetness.

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups sifted all purpose flour
  

  Step by Step: How to Make Drop Butter Cookies

  1: Preheat the Oven

  • Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them. This prevents sticking and promotes even browning.

  2: Cream the Butter

  • In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until pale and fluffy using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed. This takes about 2-3 minutes.
  • Gradually add sugar and salt while mixing. Continue beating until the mixture becomes creamy and light.

  3: Add Wet Ingredients

  • Crack the egg into a small bowl to ensure no shells slip in.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat again until fully incorporated.

  4: Incorporate the Flour

  • Sift the flour before adding it keeps the cookies light and prevents lumps.
  • On low speed, mix in the flour slowly. Stop once just combined to avoid overworking the dough.

  5: Drop the Dough

  • Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto your prepared baking sheets.
  • Leave about 2 inches between each cookie they’ll spread a bit as they bake.

  6: Bake

  • Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
  • Don’t overbake they continue to firm up on the baking sheet.

  7: Cool and Enjoy

  • Remove cookies and place them on a wire rack to cool fully before serving.