Melt-in-Your-Mouth Butter Cookies are delicate, tender cookies with a shortbread-like crumb that literally dissolves on your tongue thanks to a combination of butter, powdered sugar, and cornstarch. They’re simple to make with basic pantry ingredients, bake quickly, and are perfect for holidays, tea time, or any time you want a light, buttery cookie that isn’t overly sweet.
Why these cookies melt in your mouth
These cookies are built similarly to many “meltaway,” “melting moments,” or butter cornstarch shortbread recipes: a high proportion of butter, powdered sugar instead of granulated, and added cornstarch for a fine, tender crumb. The absence of eggs and the relatively low moisture content mean the structure comes mostly from the flour and cornstarch, which creates a sandy, delicate texture that breaks down easily as you bite.
Powdered sugar contributes to the smooth, meltaway texture because it dissolves more quickly and doesn’t create the granular crunch that granulated sugar can. Cornstarch is highlighted across multiple recipes as a key ingredient that keeps these cookies short and tender rather than chewy or dense.