BUTTER PIPED COOKIES

#### 4. **Bake the Cookies**

– Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for **10-12 minutes**, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. The cookies should still feel soft to the touch but firm up as they cool.

– Keep an eye on them as they bake, as oven temperatures can vary. You don’t want to overbake them, as they are meant to have a delicate, tender texture.

#### 5. **Cool and Decorate**

– Once the cookies are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

– Once they’ve cooled, you can optionally dip the cookies in melted chocolate or drizzle with a glaze. You can also sprinkle more colored sugar or add edible glitter to make them extra special.

### Tips for Perfect Butter Piped Cookies

– **Use room temperature butter**: Softened butter helps create a smooth dough that is easy to pipe. Cold butter can make the dough stiff and hard to pipe.
– **Don’t overmix the dough**: Overmixing can result in dense cookies. Mix the dough just until it comes together.
– **Chill the dough if necessary**: If the dough feels too soft or sticky to pipe, chill it for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to work with.
– **Experiment with shapes**: Butter piped cookies are fun to customize. Try piping different shapes or even add colored food coloring to the dough for a festive twist.

### Variations to Try

While the classic butter piped cookie is delicious on its own, there are plenty of ways to change up the flavor or appearance:

– **Add zest**: Try incorporating lemon, orange, or lime zest for a refreshing citrus twist.
– **Use different extracts**: Swap the vanilla extract for almond, hazelnut, or even peppermint extract for a unique flavor profile.
– **Dipped in chocolate**: After baking, dip the cookies halfway in melted dark or white chocolate for an extra indulgence.
– **Sprinkles**: Add sprinkles to the dough before piping or sprinkle them on top of the cookies for added color and texture.

### Conclusion

Butter piped cookies are a timeless and elegant treat that are perfect for any occasion. Their delicate texture, rich buttery flavor, and beautiful shapes make them a favorite among cookie enthusiasts. Whether you’re making them for a holiday, a special celebration, or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth, these cookies are sure to impress. By following this simple recipe and using your creativity in decorating, you’ll have a batch of gorgeous butter piped cookies in no time!