Vanilla bean cookies are the perfect Christmas cookies! You'll love the amazing cookie flavor, topped with the delicious DIY glaze. Not only are these a delicious dessert to enjoy, but they make a great homemade gift for family and friends. Forget about traditional sugar cookies this year, and give these classic vanilla cookies a try!
There are so many things that I love about this vanilla cookie recipe. They're easy, they have the best flavor, and it's one of the first recipes that I think about once the holiday season starts to come around. I've been making these vanilla bean sugar cookies for years, and it really is one of my favorite cookies.
If you're a fan of gifting treats this time of year, pick up a lovely holiday cookie box and fill it full for gifting! There's nothing better than baked cookies as a gift because it's all the enjoyment without any of the work! And with every bite of that warm vanilla flavor, they'll be grateful for your baking skills!
Be sure to check out my Black Cocoa Cookies and my Cookies and Cream Cookies for two more simple and easy desserts!
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour - The basis of the cookie dough batter.
- Salted butter - This needs to be cold to be used in this cookie recipe.
- White sugar - Perfect for added sweetness.
- Egg white - Fresh egg white or carton egg white is fine. You only need a small amount as a binder.
- Vanilla bean - The key ingredient to add vanilla flavoring to these yummy cookies.
- Powdered sugar - Used to sweeten the glaze.
- Corn syrup - Corn syrup helps the glaze harden the surface of the cookies and makes it shiny.Â
- Milk - Helps to thin out the glaze.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Vanilla Bean Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add parchment paper to the baking sheet.
Step One: Add the flour, butter, sugar, egg white and seeds from ½ a vanilla bean into a food process. Process until a dough forms.
Step Two: ​Once done, form the dough into a 1.5 inch thick log. Wrap it in parchment paper and chill for at least 20 minutes.Â
Step Three: Slice the dough into ½ inch thick circles.
Step Four: Put on the baking sheet. Put the pan in the oven and bake for 14-16 minutes or until golden brown. Let the cookies cool.
Step Five: Stir all the glaze ingredients together.
Step Six: Drizzle over the cooled cookies.
Top Tip
It's important for the dough to be the same thickness with each cut. This is key to the baking process of this cookie. Be as precise as possible when cutting the log of dough.Â
Substitutions
- Pure vanilla extract - While vanilla bean is the best option, you can use pure or organic vanilla extract for a flavor enhancer. Vanilla bean paste would also work.
Variations
- Cookie cutter - Cookie recipes like this are fun because you can use cookie cutters to make them into fun shapes. This is a great way to make them themed for the holidays.
- Sugar - Instead of white sugar, brown sugar or powdered sugar can be used.Â
- Espresso powder - Adding a bit of espresso powder gives these cookies a nice kick! Transform them into vanilla bean espresso cookies!
See this Vanilla Bean Simple Syrup Recipe for a fun and easy recipe using vanilla beans!
Equipment
To make these simple cookies, you'll need to have a food processor, cookie sheet, and a wire rack for cooling the cookies.
Storage
Once you make these soft vanilla cookies, you'll want to keep them that way. Store any leftovers in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature or in the fridge.
​This soft cookie recipe can also be frozen by wrapping them in plastic wrap, and then storing them in a freezer-safe container.
Common Questions
You can! You can put frosting on the edges of the cookies and cover them in sprinkles, or even spread icing on the top. If you make cut-out cookies, you can add fun decorations that are themed for the holiday or let the kids use them as a blank canvas to create a delicious masterpiece.Â
Yes! One of the best things about these buttery sugar cookies is that you can make the dough and chill it in the fridge. Follow the steps on the recipe card to get to that point, and then bake the dough once you're ready. Â
Related
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📖 Recipe
Vanilla Bean Cookies
Ingredients
- 1.25 cup all-purpose flour
- 8 tablespoon salted butter cold
- â…“ cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon egg white
- ½ vanilla bean (seeds from ½ pod)
Glaze
- â…“ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon corn syrup
- 2-3 teaspoon milk
- ½ vanilla bean (seeds from ½ pod)
Instructions
- Process the flour, butter, sugar, egg white, and the seeds from ½ a vanilla bean in a food processor until a dough begins to form.
- Form the dough into a 1.5 inch thick log. Wrap in parchment and chill for 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the dough into ¼ inch thick circles. Place ont he prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely.
- Stir together the ingredients for the glaze.
- Drizzle over the cooled cookies.
Notes
Nutrition
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