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An overhead shot of authentic French salted butter cookies arranged artfully on a dark surface, highlighting their golden color and sandy texture.

French Salted Butter Cookies (The Ultimate Sablés Bretons)

Discover how to make authentic French Salted Butter Cookies (Sablés Bretons). This easy recipe yields perfectly crisp, crumbly, and buttery shortbread cookies with a delightful hint of salt. A truly unforgettable treat!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 36 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: French
Calories: 95

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup salted butter softened, high-quality European style
  • 2/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 large egg yolks at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon fleur de sel for sprinkling (optional)

Equipment

  • 1 Electric mixer
  • 2 Baking Sheets
  • 2 Mixing Bowls

Instructions
 

Prepare the Dough
  1. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened salted butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, then add the vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  3. Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
Chill and Shape
  1. Divide the dough in half and form each portion into a log about 1.5-2 inches in diameter. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until firm.
  2. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unwrap the chilled dough and slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
Bake to Golden Perfection
  1. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with Fleur de Sel, if using. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
  2. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

For the best flavor, use a high-quality European-style salted butter with a high butterfat content.
Do not skip the chilling step; it's essential for the cookies' texture and to prevent spreading.
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
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