With Girl Scout cookies being sold at the entrance to every grocery store I thought it would be fun to share with you my all-time-favorite cookie — a butter cookie called Sables.  The recipe comes from Baking From My Home To Yours by Dorie Greenspan.  This book is chocked full of classic, easy to make homestyle baked goods like grandma used to make.  I think it’s a staple that everyone should have in their cookbook collection.

These cookies remind me of those danish butter cookies you used to get in the tin at Christmas but 20 times better. I originally made a lemon version but I think the plain butter are the best.

Ingredients:
2 sticks of Unsalted Butter at room temp. (I use European style butter for a richer flavor)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
2 large egg yolks, room temp.
2 cups all-purpose flour
coarse decorating sugar

Using a stand mixer beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the sugars and salt and beat for around a minute. On low speed add the egg yolks and beat until it is combined.

Turn off the mixer add flour and cover mixer with dishtowel to prevent the flower from covering the counter. Pulse the mixer 5 or 6 times. Remove the towel and turn the mixer on low for 30 seconds or so until the dough looks moist and without flour on the surface.

Turn the dough out on the counter and divide it into two balls. Shape both balls into logs about 9″ long.  Cover in plastic wrap and put in the fridge.  Refrigerate overnight.  They can be kept in the fridge for three days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

When ready to bake heat the over to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take out a log of dough. Whisk an egg yolk and paint the yolk on all sides of the dough.  Coat all sides of the dough with the decorating sugar.  Slice the dough 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick.  Put them on the baking sheet about an inch apart and bake for about 17-20 minutes. You want the cookies slightly brown on the bottom and golden brown around the bottom edges. Let them cool on the sheet for a couple minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.

These cookies will be a big hit. I have certain friends who will remain nameless that request these cookies be at our every meeting.
One of my favorite things about these cookies is that they are slice and bake and I can keep them in the freezer for any occassion.

Enjoy.