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French Salted Bitter Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 53 reviews

These French Salted Bitter Cookies combine rich unsalted French butter with a touch of sea salt, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Crispy edges and a tender crumb make these cookies ideal for a sophisticated snack or elegant dessert, adorned with a delicate egg wash shine and optional flaky sea salt finishing.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup French unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp sea salt

Finishing

  • 1 egg yolk (for egg wash)
  • Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened French butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy, ensuring all sugar crystals dissolve for a smooth, creamy base.
  2. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the whole egg and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar mixture until fully incorporated and the batter is cohesive and glossy.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and sea salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
  4. Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Take care not to overmix to maintain tender cookies.
  5. Chill Dough: Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm it up, making it easier to roll and cut.
  6. Preheat and Roll: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about 1/2-inch thickness to achieve the optimal cookie texture.
  7. Cut and Arrange: Use a fluted round cookie cutter to cut out discs from the dough. Place them on a parchment-lined baking tray, spaced slightly apart to allow minimal spreading.
  8. Egg Wash and Score: Brush the cookie tops with the reserved egg yolk to add a beautiful shine. Gently score a crisscross pattern on each cookie top with a fork for a classic French finish.
  9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the edges turn golden and cookies are firm to the touch.
  10. Cool and Finish: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. While still warm, optionally sprinkle flaky sea salt over the cookies for an enhanced flavor contrast.

Notes

  • Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for the best creaming results.
  • Chilling the dough helps prevent excessive spreading during baking and improves texture.
  • Use flaky sea salt sparingly to enhance the salted contrast without overpowering sweetness.
  • The crisscross scoring adds a traditional French aesthetic and subtle texture to the cookies.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Keywords: French cookies, salted cookies, butter cookies, vanilla cookies, flaky sea salt, classic French dessert

Find it online: https://chefmilacook.com/french-salted-bitter-cookies-recipe/