Dominique Ansel’s French Butter Cookies Come Together in 20 Minutes, Perfect for Last-Minute Holiday Bakers

Mar. 15, 2025

Dominique Ansel’s Sablés Viennois.Photo:Fred Hardy

Fred Hardy

Dominique Anselis going back to his baking roots for the holiday season.“Sablés Viennois are one the first things I learned to bake,” says the pastry chef and owner ofDominique Ansel Bakeryin New York City. “It is one of those go-to recipes that you grow up eating and baking at home in France.“The classic French butter cookies, featured in the chef’s new cookbookLife’s Sweetest Moments,require just six ingredients and are “so simple and comforting,” says Ansel.“They’re great for a simple baking project with the family so you can nibble on the cookies all weekend long and really fun for the holidays when you dust them with a flurry of confectioners’ sugar and dip them into hot chocolate,” says the chef, who first createdthe viral Cronutand now hasbakery locations in New York City and in Las Vegas.Dominique Ansel’s Sablés Viennois1½ cups plus 1½ tablespoons (12¾ oz.) unsalted butter, at room temperature1 cup plus 2½ tsp. (about 4⅛ oz.) powdered sugar3⅓ cups (about 14¼ oz.) all-purpose flour2 large egg whites½ tsp. kosher salt½ tsp. pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste1.Preheat oven to 350° with racks in upper and lower thirds of oven. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.2.Beat together butter and powdered sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or use a hand mixer) on low speed until just combined, about 2 minutes. Increase speed to medium high; beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium low; gradually beat in flour, 1 cup at time, until just combined. Add egg whites, salt and vanilla with the last addition of flour; continue beating on medium low until evenly combined, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl as needed, about 3 minutes.3.Using a rubber spatula, transfer batter into a piping bag fitted with a⅜-inch star tip. Pipe batter onto baking sheets (about 9 cookies per sheet) in round rosettes or swirls (2 to 2½inches wide and½inch tall), leaving about½inch ofspace between cookies.4.Bake in oven until cookies are lightly golden, 12 to 14 minutes, rotating baking sheets from top to bottom halfway through baking time. Remove from oven, and let cool completely on baking sheets before serving, about 10 minutes.Makes:18Active time:20 minutesTotal time:45 minutes

Dominique Anselis going back to his baking roots for the holiday season.

“Sablés Viennois are one the first things I learned to bake,” says the pastry chef and owner ofDominique Ansel Bakeryin New York City. “It is one of those go-to recipes that you grow up eating and baking at home in France.”

The classic French butter cookies, featured in the chef’s new cookbookLife’s Sweetest Moments,require just six ingredients and are “so simple and comforting,” says Ansel.

“They’re great for a simple baking project with the family so you can nibble on the cookies all weekend long and really fun for the holidays when you dust them with a flurry of confectioners’ sugar and dip them into hot chocolate,” says the chef, who first createdthe viral Cronutand now hasbakery locations in New York City and in Las Vegas.

Dominique Ansel’s Sablés Viennois

1½ cups plus 1½ tablespoons (12¾ oz.) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup plus 2½ tsp. (about 4⅛ oz.) powdered sugar

3⅓ cups (about 14¼ oz.) all-purpose flour

2 large egg whites

½ tsp. kosher salt

½ tsp. pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

1.Preheat oven to 350° with racks in upper and lower thirds of oven. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.

2.Beat together butter and powdered sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or use a hand mixer) on low speed until just combined, about 2 minutes. Increase speed to medium high; beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium low; gradually beat in flour, 1 cup at time, until just combined. Add egg whites, salt and vanilla with the last addition of flour; continue beating on medium low until evenly combined, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl as needed, about 3 minutes.

3.Using a rubber spatula, transfer batter into a piping bag fitted with a⅜-inch star tip. Pipe batter onto baking sheets (about 9 cookies per sheet) in round rosettes or swirls (2 to 2½inches wide and½inch tall), leaving about½inch ofspace between cookies.

4.Bake in oven until cookies are lightly golden, 12 to 14 minutes, rotating baking sheets from top to bottom halfway through baking time. Remove from oven, and let cool completely on baking sheets before serving, about 10 minutes.

Makes:18

Active time:20 minutes

Total time:45 minutes

source: people.com