Christmas Cookies - Vanilla Biscuits - Sablés de Noël - Easy Recipe

by Feli Chic'Cuisine

Christmas Cookies, well-known as Sablé, are a butter cookies that have a tender, crumbly texture, flovored with vanilla. and orange zest. These buttery cookies add a festive touch to any holiday table, making a lovely edible Christmas tree decoration that will please the whole family. — Photo @ Feli Chic'Cuisine

Christmas Cookies, well-known as Sablé, are butter cookies that have a tender, crumbly texture, flavored with vanilla and orange zest. These buttery cookies add a festive touch to any holiday table, making a lovely edible Christmas tree decoration that will please the whole family. You can prepare festive packages and give them as a Christmas gift to family, friends, or colleagues. These cookies should definitely not be missed during Christmas time.

The Shortbread pastry for these cookies must be refrigerated so that the gluten can develop. If your cookie dough gets too crumbly or won't roll out, wrap it in foil and refrigerate it again for about 30 minutes.

A recipe for Christmas cookies, which I have been preparing for many years, for the joy of the family, especially the children, who enjoy decorating them, or to give gifts to loved ones, or simply to be enjoyed at a cup of tea or a delicious coffee during the winter holidays. They are the biscuits that should not be missing during Christmas.

What are Sable Cookies?

These delicious French Sablé Cookies also known as Breton Cookies are a simple buttery and crumbly French butter cookie. Sable means sand in French, which refers to the sandy texture of these cookies.

In addition to their flavor, when you prepare them you can add lemon or orange zest, or almond flavor. For me, these cookies are flavored with orange zest.

How long does the dough last in the fridge?

The dough can be kept in the fridge for up to three days. Before cutting out the cookie shapes, let the dough sit for about 15 minutes before rolling.

How to store the cookies?

Store the cookies in an airtight container. They will keep for a month at room temperature. That is if you haven’t devoured them all yet.

How to make French Sable Cookies

Using an electric mixer, or a wooden spoon, as in my case, cream the butter with powdered sugar and salt.

Add the beaten eggs, vanilla extract, orange zest and flour.

Divide the dough, make a thin disk, and wrap in baking paper. Refrigerate for at least 1 h.

Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut out with your favourite cookie cutters.

Place the cookies on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

Bake at 280 C for 10-12 mins until lightly golden. Transfer them onto a cooling rack.

Makes: 20 cookies

Preparation Time: 10 min

Baking Time: 12 min

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

200g butter, at room temperature, cut into small cubes
140g powdered/icing sugar, sifted
1 pinch of salt
2 tsp vanilla sugar or 1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp orange zest (from a bio orange)
2 eggs, slightly beaten
400g flour, plain / all purpose, sifted

Method

Prepare the cookies

1. In a mixing bowl, using a wooden spoon or an electric mixer, cream the butter, salt and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla sugar (vanilla extract), orange zest and mix thoroughly. Add the flour and mix until the mixture just comes together.

2. Dust work surface with flour; scrape dough out of bowl. Pat together, cut in half, then shape the dough into two flat discs. Wrap them in a baking foil and chill for at least 1 hour.

Bake the cookies

3. Heat oven to 180C/fan, 160C/gas 5 (350F ) and line two baking sheets with baking paper. Set aside.

4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about the thickness of 0.5 cm (1/4 inch). Sprinkling with flour under and over the dough so it doesn't stick.

5. Cut out with your favourite cookie cutters, Christmasy shapes and place on the baking sheets. Using the tip of a skewer, cut a small hole in the top of few cookies. Bake for 10-12 mins until lightly golden. Transfer them onto a cooling rack.