Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you start baking, it’s important to gather all your ingredients. For butternut cookies, you’ll need the following:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour – This is the base of your cookie dough, giving it structure and texture.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – Butter provides the rich, buttery flavor that is characteristic of butternut cookies. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- 1 cup powdered sugar – Powdered sugar gives the cookies a light, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- 1 large egg – An essential ingredient for binding the dough together and adding moisture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds a lovely aroma and depth of flavor.
- ½ teaspoon almond extract – While optional, almond extract enhances the nutty taste, which is a signature of butternut cookies.
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans – The nuts are essential for the signature butternut flavor and texture. You can use other nuts if you prefer, but walnuts and pecans are the traditional choices.
- ½ teaspoon baking powder – This helps the cookies rise and become tender.
- Pinch of salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
- Sugar for rolling (optional) – A little extra sugar for rolling the dough before baking gives the cookies a delightful sweet crust.
Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet or cookie tray
- Parchment paper (optional, for easier cleanup)
- Cooling rack