Cookie Croutons Recipe

Ingredients

• 3/4 lb unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar, plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 6 large egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle, cream 3/4 lb of unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar (plus 2 tablespoons) on medium speed, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary, until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
3. Add 6 large egg yolks one at a time, mixing in between each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again. Beat for 1 minute and add 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
4. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of all-purpose flour and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Mix well.
5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix on low speed until fully incorporated. Then, increase the speed to medium and mix until the batter is thick and creamy, about 2 minutes. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl and paddle once more.
6. If making cookies first, lightly flour a flat surface and roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Cut the dough into desired shapes.
7. Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper and place the cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake until lightly golden, approximately 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan before using a spatula to take them out.
8. For a direct path to croutons, pinch off small balls of dough and form them into cube shapes, similar to sugar cubes. Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper and bake until lightly golden, which should take about 10 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to avoid overcooking.
9. Once done, remove the croutons from the pan and let them cool. Use them to top ice cream, pie, pudding, or anything else that sparks your fancy.