Bordeaux Cookies Recipe: Crispy Caramelized Butter Cookies You’ll Love

If you’ve ever savored the delicate crunch and buttery sweetness of Pepperidge Farm Bordeaux cookies, this Bordeaux Cookies Recipe brings that same golden perfection straight to your kitchen. These crispy Bordeaux cookies are paper-thin, deeply caramelized, and melt in your mouth — a nostalgic treat with a homemade twist that’s both elegant and simple.

Whether you call them Bordeaux Butter Cookies, Caramelized Bordeaux Cookies, or Classic Bordeaux Cookies, this recipe captures their irresistible flavor and texture using only pantry staples. You’ll learn how to make these thin, caramel-flavored butter cookies with professional tips to ensure every batch bakes up light, crisp, and golden.

Why You’ll Love This Bordeaux Cookies Recipe

• Crispy and caramelized – that signature texture with every bite.

• Simple ingredients – made with butter, sugar, and flour—nothing artificial.

• Copycat Pepperidge Farm Bordeaux Cookies you can bake fresh anytime.

• Elegant look – thin, golden, and perfect for gifting or pairing with coffee.

• Quick to prepare – ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish.

• Homemade charm – buttery aroma fills your kitchen.

• Budget-friendly gourmet – tastes like a luxury bakery treat.

• Customizable – add chocolate drizzle or make Bordeaux Cookie Sandwiches with caramel filling.

Ingredients 

Each ingredient plays a key role in achieving the authentic Bordeaux Cookies Recipe texture and taste:

• 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened – the foundation of flavor and crispness.

• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed – caramelizes beautifully, giving the cookies their golden color.

• ¼ cup granulated sugar – balances sweetness and adds extra crisp edges.

• 1 large egg yolk – adds richness without making the dough cakey.

• 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract – enhances buttery depth.

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour – structure while keeping the cookies thin and delicate.

• ½ teaspoon baking soda – helps create those fine, lacy air pockets.

• ¼ teaspoon salt – balances the sweetness perfectly.

Optional Add-ins:

• A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth.

• Melted dark chocolate for dipping.

• Sanding sugar for sparkle.

How to Make Bordeaux Cookies at Home

1. Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This aeration step ensures your homemade Bordeaux cookies bake up crisp and delicate.

2. Add the Egg Yolk and Vanilla

Mix in the egg yolk and vanilla extract until smooth. The yolk enriches the dough and enhances caramelization during baking.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix them into the wet ingredients until just combined—avoid overmixing, which can make the cookies dense.

4. Chill the Dough

For best results, chill the dough for 15–20 minutes. Slightly firm dough helps control spreading while keeping the cookies thin and even.

5. Shape and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Drop small 1-teaspoon portions of dough about 3 inches apart. Bake for 8–10 minutes until golden brown around the edges. Watch closely — they caramelize fast!

6. Cool and Enjoy

Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack. As they cool, they’ll crisp up perfectly, just like the original Crispy Bordeaux Cookies.

Pro Tips for Perfect Bordeaux Butter Cookies

🔸 How do you get Bordeaux cookies so thin and crispy?

Use small dough portions and let them spread naturally. The high butter-to-flour ratio ensures a light, crunchy Bordeaux-style cookie.

🔸 Why are my cookies soft instead of crisp?

They may need a minute longer in the oven or a cooler resting area to fully crisp. Always let them cool completely on a rack before storing.

🔸 Can I make them ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for a month. Bake straight from chilled for consistent results.

🔸 What’s the secret to the caramelized flavor?

The combination of brown sugar and butter heated at high oven temperature gives that caramel-flavored thin butter cookie taste you love.

Best Ways to Serve Bordeaux Cookies

• Pair with coffee, espresso, or tea for a café-style snack.

• Use two cookies to create Bordeaux Cookie Sandwiches with a caramel or chocolate filling.

• Crush them to make a buttery crust for cheesecakes or trifles.

• Serve alongside vanilla ice cream or custard desserts.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – 1 Cookie)

Storage & Leftovers

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight tin up to 7 days.

• Freezer: Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months with parchment between layers.

• Recrisping Tip: If they soften, bake for 3 minutes at 300°F to restore their crunch.

FAQs About Bordeaux Cookies Recipe

❓Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar?

Yes! It creates a deeper caramelized Bordeaux cookie flavor with slightly more chew.

❓Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free 1:1 blend and ensure your other ingredients are certified GF.

❓How do I make Bordeaux cookies without eggs?

Replace the egg yolk with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of milk for similar texture.

❓Do Bordeaux cookies contain caramel?

No actual caramel is used — the flavor comes from the butter and brown sugar caramelizing together during baking.

Variations of Bordeaux Cookies

• Chocolate-Dipped Bordeaux Cookies: Dip one end in melted dark chocolate.

• Almond Bordeaux Butter Cookies: Add ½ teaspoon almond extract.

• Cinnamon-Caramel Bordeaux Cookies: Add ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon to the dough.

• Bordeaux Cookie Sandwiches: Spread dulce de leche or Nutella between two cookies.

• Vegan Bordeaux Cookies: Use vegan butter and flaxseed yolk substitute.

Conclusion

This Bordeaux Cookies Recipe is your golden ticket to buttery, caramelized perfection at home. Each bite captures that nostalgic crisp sweetness of the original Pepperidge Farm Bordeaux Cookies, but fresher, thinner, and more fragrant. Share them as gifts, stack them in jars, or enjoy them quietly with a warm cup of coffee — every crunch feels like a moment of sweet simplicity.