Buttery & Crisp Sabl Breton Cookies Recipe for Sweet Joy

Buttery, crumbly, and delightfully French, these sablé breton cookies dance with a rich, golden charm that melts in your mouth.

Originating from Brittany, the sablé breton cookie captures the essence of traditional French pastry with its delicate, sandy texture.

Each bite whispers tales of coastal kitchens and generations of bakers perfecting their craft.

The golden-hued treats bring a touch of elegance to any dessert spread, promising a moment of pure culinary bliss.

Salt-kissed and butter-laden, these cookies offer a sophisticated twist on classic shortbread.

Bake a batch and let the irresistible aroma fill your kitchen with warmth and comfort.

Your taste buds will thank you for this delectable French indulgence.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 19 minutes

Calories: 203 kcal

Servings: 9

Sablé Breton Cookies: Ingredients You’ll Need

• Egg Yolks: Rich golden centers that provide luxurious texture and deep flavor complexity, choose fresh eggs from reliable sources.
• Icing Sugar: Creates silky smooth sweetness and helps achieve delicate cookie texture, sift to eliminate lumps.
• Salted Butter: Delivers rich, creamy foundation with subtle saltiness, select high-quality European-style butter for superior taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Builds cookie structure and ensures tender crumb, use fresh flour stored in cool, dry environment.
• Baking Powder: Provides gentle lift and lightness, check expiration date for maximum rising potential.

• Extra Egg Yolk: Creates stunning golden sheen and glossy appearance, select unblemished, room temperature yolk for perfect brushing.
• Fork: Enables decorative crosshatch pattern, use clean, sturdy kitchen fork for precise design.

Tools for Crafting Sablé Breton Cookies

• Mixing bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for combining ingredients.
• Whisk: Essential for blending egg yolks and sugar smoothly.
• Spatula: Stiff, flexible tool for mixing dough and scraping sides.
• Baking paper: Crucial for rolling and preventing dough sticking.
• Rolling pin: Helps roll dough to even 6 mm thickness.
• Cookie cutter: Round or fluted for shaping perfect cookies.
• Fork: Optional for creating decorative cross pattern.
• Baking tray: Flat surface for baking cookies.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking to tray.
• Cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and crisp up.

How to Bake Classic Sablé Breton Cookies

• Butter Preparation

Bring butter to room temperature, cutting into soft cubes before starting.

• Egg Separation

Carefully separate egg yolks, reserving whites for future use.

• Sugar and Yolk Blend

Whisk egg yolks with powdered sugar until creamy and light-colored.

• Butter Integration

Fold softened salted butter into yolk mixture until smooth and consistent.

• Dough Formation

Gently incorporate flour and baking powder, mixing until uniform dough develops.

• Chilling Stage

Roll dough between parchment sheets, creating an even layer, then refrigerate for one hour.

• Oven Setup

Heat oven to 160°C and prepare baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Cookie Shaping

Remove chilled dough, cut into desired shapes using decorative cutters.

• Final Touches

Optional: Create fork pattern and brush with egg yolk for golden appearance.

• Baking Process

Bake cookies until edges turn golden, approximately 15-18 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.

Creative Ideas for Sablé Breton Cookie Variations

• Cube cold butter and let it sit at room temperature for precisely 30 minutes to achieve the perfect soft texture without melting.
• Chill the rolled dough for at least an hour to make cutting and shaping cookies easier and prevent spreading during baking.
• Sprinkle sea salt flakes on top before baking or add lemon zest to the dough for a bright, citrusy twist on traditional Sablé Bretons.
• Wrap cooled cookies in parchment paper and store in an airtight container to maintain their delicate, crisp texture for up to 5 days at room temperature.
• Experiment with different cookie cutter shapes or create intricate fork patterns to personalize these classic French shortbread cookies.

How to Serve Sablé Breton Cookies with Elegance

• Pair with Sweet Companions: Serve these buttery sablé breton cookies alongside a steaming cup of French-press coffee or delicate Earl Grey tea for a classic afternoon treat.
• Dress Up for Dessert: Create an elegant dessert plate by garnishing the cookies with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
• Gift with French Flair: Package these delicate cookies in a charming kraft paper box tied with a rustic ribbon, making them a perfect homemade gift for friends and family who appreciate artisanal baked goods.
• Create a Stunning Presentation: Arrange the cookies on a beautiful ceramic plate with fresh berries or edible flowers to elevate their visual appeal and add a touch of sophistication to your serving style.

Storing Sablé Breton Cookies the Right Way

• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap the cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and baking.
• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Keep freshly baked Sablé Breton cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain crisp texture.
• Cookie Moisture Protection: Add a small piece of bread to the storage container to help maintain the cookies' softness and prevent them from becoming too dry or crumbly.
• Gifting and Transport Tips: Package cooled cookies in decorative tins or cellophane bags with a ribbon for a delightful homemade gift. Ensure they are completely cool before packaging to prevent condensation and maintain their delicate crunch.

Buttery Sablé Breton Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 19 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Sablé Breton cookies showcase delicate French pastry craftsmanship from Brittany. Crisp butter-rich shortbread melts with elegant simplicity, inviting bakers to experience authentic coastal French baking traditions.

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Ingredients

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• 100 gr (7 tbsps) salted butter, very soft
• 175 gr (1 cup + 1 ½ tbsps) plain/all-purpose flour
• 75 gr (¾ cup) icing sugar
• 3 egg yolks at room temperature
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 egg yolk for egg wash (optional)

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Instructions

1. Butter Preparation: Allow salted butter to reach room temperature, then cube precisely for smooth incorporation into the dough.
2. Egg Mixture: Whip egg yolks with powdered sugar until achieving a luxurious, pale cream consistency that reflects a delicate texture.
3. Dough Formation: Blend softened butter into egg mixture, then gradually fold sifted flour and baking powder, kneading until a uniform, supple dough emerges.
4. Chilling Process: Roll dough between parchment sheets to desired thickness, then refrigerate for structured firmness and enhanced flavor development.
5. Shaping Technique: Remove chilled dough, cut into elegant rounds using cookie cutter, and optionally embellish with classic fork-pressed decorative pattern.
6. Egg Wash & Baking: Brush cookies with whisked egg yolk for golden sheen, then bake in preheated oven at 160 degrees Celsius until edges transform into a rich, amber-toned border.
7. Cooling & Storage: Transfer baked cookies to wire rack for complete cooling, then preserve in airtight container to maintain crisp texture and delicate flavor profile.

Notes

• Butter Softening Technique: Allow salted butter to reach room temperature gradually, preventing melting and ensuring smooth, even incorporation into the dough.
• Egg Separation Pro Tip: Carefully separate yolks with clean hands or specialized tool to maintain pure, rich flavor and optimal texture.
• Dough Chilling Importance: Refrigerating dough for at least 60 minutes helps cookies maintain shape, prevents spreading, and develops deeper, more complex buttery flavor.
• Golden Finish Trick: Brushing egg yolk creates a beautiful, glossy surface that elevates the cookie’s visual appeal and adds a delicate sheen to the final product.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 203
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 85 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 71 mg