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Home » Desserts » Cookies & Bars » French Sable Cookies

French Sable Cookies

Last Updated November 21, 2020. Published December 14, 2019 By Rosemary 4 Comments

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These delicious French Sable Cookies also known as Breton Cookies are a simple buttery crumbly French butter cookie. A must try this Holiday Season.

There’s nothing better then a Christmas Time Butter Cookie, I like to include not only this French one but also an Italian Butter Cookie on my Christmas Cookie Tray.

one tree and 3 stars with some cookies on a plate and a spoon of sparkling sugar on a grey boardFrench Sable Cookies

Italians aren’t big on shortbread but they do love their Butter Cookies, and Sable Cookies are very popular here at Christmas time.

I recently bought Dorie Greenspan’s Cookbook “Baking from my home to yours”, a  fabulous book.

I happened to come across her recipe for Sable Cookies and I knew I would have to give it a try. I even ordered some sparkling sugar to roll them in!

And yes they are as delicious as I imagined. Now I know why the Italians love to make them too.

sable cookies on a grey board and some in a white plate with sugar on a spoon and in a jar

How to make French Sable Cookies

  • In the bowl of the mixer cream the butter on medium speed, then add the sugars and salt, beat for one minute.

creaming butter, sugar and egg in a mixing bowl

  • Reduce the speed to low, add the egg yolks and vanilla beat for one minute.
  • Scrape the bowl.

creaming butter and adding egg yolks

  • Continue on low speed and add the flour a little at a time.

adding the flour to the dough in the mixing bowl

  • Mix just until combined, the dough will be soft.
  • There may be flour remaining at the bottom of the bowl, mix it into the dough with a spatula.

mixing the dough until just combined in the mixing bowl

  • Place the dough on a lightly floured flat surface and knead gently into a ball.
  • Divide the dough into two parts. I formed one into a log and one into a ball. The log is for slice and bake and the round is for cut out cookies. You can do the same or do one or the other.
  • Wrap the dough in plastic and chill for at least three hours.

forming the dough into a ball and a log and wrapping in plastic

  • Remove the dough from the fridge.
  • Brush the log with an egg wash, then sprinkle it with sparkling sugar, cut into 1/3″ slices and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

brushing the log with egg wash and cutting the slices and placing on cookie sheet

  • or roll the dough on a lightly floured flat surface and cut out with your favourite cookie cutters.
  • Place the cut outs on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and sprinkle with sparkling sugar.

rolling out the dough to make cut out cookies and on a cookie sheet

  • Refrigerate the cookies again while the oven is pre-heating.
  • Bake for about 15-17 minutes.

the baked sable cookies on a cookie sheet

  • After a few minutes remove the cookies from the cookie sheet and carefully place on a wire rack to cool completely.

How long does the dough last in the fridge?

The dough can be kept in the fridge for up to three days. If you are making cut out cookies the dough will probably be too hard to roll, so let it sit for about 15-20 minutes before rolling and cutting.

Can the dough be frozen

The dough can be frozen, be sure to wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer safe bag or container. It will keep for up to two months.

What are Sable Cookies

Sablé are also known as Sable Breton or French Butter Cookies. These cookies originated in Sablé-sur-Sarthe in France. They are apparently as popular in France as Chocolate Chip cookies in North America.

The name Sable means sand in French, which refers to the sandy texture of these tender and crumbly cookies.

sliced sable cookies with cut out cookies on a white plate stand

How to know when the cookies are done

The cookies take about 15-17 minutes to bake, when they are light brown on bottom and lightly golden around the edges, but still pale on top, they are ready.

How to store them

The cookies should be stored in an airtight container in a cool dry room, they will keep for up to a week.

How to freeze the cookies

The cookies should be placed in a freezer safe bag or container. They will keep for up to four weeks in the freezer if stored properly.

More Delicious Christmas Cookies to make

Lemon Sugar Cookies

Triple Nut Biscotti

Chocolate Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies

So if you would like to add a Butter Cookie to your baking list this year I hope you give these French Sable Cookies a try and let me know what you think. Happy Baking!

christmas tree sable cut out cookie on a grey board with 2 star cookies

christmas tree sable cut out cookie on a grey board with 3 star cookies
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5 from 2 votes

French Sable Cookies

These delicious French Sable Cookies also known as Breton Cookies are a simple buttery crumbly French butter cookie.
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Course Christmas Cookies, cookies
Cuisine French
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 25 minutes
Servings 34 cookies
Calories 96kcal
Author Rosemary Molloy

Ingredients

  • 1 cup salted butter (210 grams)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 grams)
  • 1/2 cup powdered / icing sugar (sifted) (60 grams)
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 2 egg yolks (room temperature)
  • 2 cups all purpose flour (255 grams)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

EXTRAS

  • 1 medium egg
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1/4-1/3 cup sparkling or granulated sugar (50-66 grams)

Instructions

  • In the bowl of the mixer cream the butter on medium speed, then add the sugars and salt, beat for one minute. Reduce the speed to low then add the egg yolks and vanilla beat for one minute. Be sure to scrape the bowl.
  • Continue on low speed and add the flour in three additions, combining as you add.
  • Mix the dough just until combined, the dough will be soft. There may be flour remaining at the bottom of the bowl, mix it into the dough with a spatula.
  • Place the dough on a lightly floured flat surface and knead gently into a ball. Divide the dough into two parts. I formed one into a log about 8-9 inches (20-22 cm) and one into a ball. The log is for slice and bake and the round is for cut out cookies. You can do the same or do one or the other. (If you make of the same type of cookie, be sure to make either two logs or two rounds for easier handling of the dough). Wrap the dough in plastic and chill for at least three hours.
  • Remove the dough from the fridge. Brush the log with the egg wash (in a small bowl beat together the egg and milk), then sprinkle it with sparkling sugar, cut into 1/3" slices and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
  • To make the cut-out cookies, roll the dough on a lightly floured flat surface and cut out with your favourite cookie cutters. Place the cut outs on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet and sprinkle with sparkling sugar or granulated sugar. No egg wash needed.
  • Refrigerate the cookies again while the oven is pre-heating at 325F (160C).
  • Once the oven is ready remove the cookies, one sheet at a time from the fridge and bake 15-17 minutes or until the cookies are light brown on the bottom and lightly golden around the edges but still pale on top.
  • After 2-3 minutes carefully remove the cookies with a metal spatula from the cookie sheet and carefully place on a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 51mg | Potassium: 11mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @anitalianinmykitchen or tag #anitalianinmykitchen!

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    Filed Under: Christmas Cookies, Cookies & Bars, Eggs, Most Posts

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    1. Lithenna says

      December 17, 2019 at 12:26 pm

      5 stars
      Beautiful recipe! And those cookies do look like the sable ones we have in France! Well done!

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        December 17, 2019 at 3:03 pm

        Thank you so much Lithenna, they are so good.

        Reply
    2. Patricia H says

      December 15, 2019 at 2:39 am

      Hi Rosemary. The Sablé cookies sound wonderful. I plan to make them as cut outs. I have a few quick questions.
      When the dough is rolled out is the thickness to be about 1/3 “? Can I use Christmas sprinkles instead of the granulated sugar? Thirdly, can the scraps be re rolled to cut out additional cookies?

      Thank you for your wonderful recipes. I really enjoy your blog
      Patricia

      Reply
      • Rosemary says

        December 15, 2019 at 10:39 am

        Hi Patricia I am sure sprinkles would work and yes definitely re roll the scraps. They will be chilled while the oven is pre-heating so it will be fine. Let me know how it goes.

        Reply

    Hi, I'm Rosemary.

    Living in Italy I learned to cook authentic Italian dishes using whole ingredients, fresh veggies and delicious spices. So take a seat and have a taste! Read More
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