French Sablé Cookies (Sablés Bretons or classic sablés) are delicate, buttery shortbread-style cookies from France.
“Sablé” means sandy — referring to their tender, crumbly texture.
Here’s a traditional, bakery-style version 👇
🇫🇷 Classic French Sablé Cookies
Ingredients
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1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
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2/3 cup (130g) granulated sugar
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2 large egg yolks (room temperature)
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1 tsp pure vanilla extract
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2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
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1/4 tsp salt
Optional:
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1 egg yolk + 1 tsp milk (for brushing tops)
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Coarse sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
1️⃣ Cream Butter & Sugar
Beat butter and sugar until smooth and creamy (not fluffy like cake — just well blended).
2️⃣ Add Yolks & Vanilla
Mix in egg yolks one at a time, then vanilla.
3️⃣ Add Dry Ingredients
Stir in flour and salt just until combined. Do not overmix — this keeps them tender.
4️⃣ Chill the Dough
Shape dough into a log (about 2 inches thick), wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1–2 hours.
5️⃣ Slice & Bake
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Slice cookies about 1/4–1/3 inch thick.
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Place on lined baking sheet.
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Brush tops with egg wash and optionally sprinkle coarse sugar.
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Bake 12–15 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Cool completely before serving.
✨ What Makes Them Special
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Rich, buttery flavor
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Slight crisp edge with tender crumb
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Perfect with coffee or tea
🍋 Variations
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Add lemon zest for citrus sablés
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Dip half in dark chocolate
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Add finely chopped pistachios
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Make sandwich cookies with jam or ganache