Some of the best, most flavorful cookies I've ever had are made with buttermilk. I remember first trying these Refreshing Iced Buttermilk Cookies at an Amish bakery in Nappannee, Indiana years and years and years ago. Years later, I picked up a batch of buttermilk cookies at an Amish bakery in Daviess County, Indiana and the flavor was like I remembered them the first time: soft and sweet, but not overpoweringly so. Almost a perfect cookie.
When I first encountered buttermilk cookies, I was on assignment for an old magazine called Home & Away, it was published by the American Automobile Association. I was assigned to write a story about northern Indiana’s Amish country. And the fact that I still remember those cookies all these years later means they must’ve been really good. I'm pretty sure I bought the first batch of buttermilk cookies at the old Amish Acres (now called The Barns at Nappanee) in Nappanee.
The Amish use buttermilk in many ways. you can buy cultured buttermilk in the store, but many Amish cooks still use the old-fashioned leftover liquid behind after turning butter. That would be their buttermilk, and the flavor left behind is amazing. Buttermilk has very specific properties for baking.
Still, the flavor is what carries the day.. Inventive Amish cooks have found ways to leverage that flavor, using buttermilk to make fried chicken, and breads, rolls, pancakes, and on and on.
These buttermilk cookies, are frosted and the cookie part has a wonderful flavor and you won’t regret making these. I mean, anyone can make a chocolate chip cookie, but a buttermilk cookie? Give it a try!
What makes the buttermilk cookies so appealing are the basic ingredients. As long as you have buttermilk (or you can make your own decent substitute with vinegar and regular milk ) you're good to go.
I do think the eggs make a difference when it comes to quality. Bright yolks signify freshness, if you can get your hands on farm fresh eggs the flavor will be enhanced.
And you'll love the frosting on these!
The cookies may not win any awards for color and beauty, but they are delicious! Bake the cookies on the top rack in the oven just until the edges are golden brown. The tops will still look like, but they'll be done, so remove from oven just when the edges get golden.
🍪 Refreshing Iced Buttermilk Cookies
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vkanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup buttermilk
Frosting
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
- ¼ cup milk or buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
📋 Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Combine flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk and mix well.
- Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls two inches. apart onto greased baking sheets.
- Bake at 375 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
- Remove to wire racks to cool.
- For the frosting, combine butter, confectioners' sugar, milk or buttermilk and vanilla in a mixing bowl; beat until smooth.
- Frost the cookies;
- Bake these cookie on the top rack of your oven just till the edges are golden brown.
- They will still be a bit light in color on top but they are definitely done.
🥛 More Amish Recipes With Buttermilk
Amish Buttermilk Pie - Buttermilk pie is as awesome as buttermilk cookies!
Buttermilk Biscuits - Delicious!
Buttermilk Fried Chicken - Perfect!
Buttermilk Blueberry Lemon Muffins - Wow!
🖨️ Full Recipe
Refreshing Iced Buttermilk Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup buttermilk
Frosting
- 3 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
- ¼ cup milk or buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Cookies
- In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Combine flour, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk and mix well
- . Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls two inches. apart onto greased baking sheets.
- Bake at 375 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.Remove to wire racks to cool
Frosting
- For the frosting, combine butter, confectioners' sugar, milk or buttermilk and vanilla in a mixing bowl; beat until smooth.
- Frost the cool cookies
Lauren
These cookies were very tasty. My great grandmother, who was Amish before she left the church, used to make buttermilk cookies and these are very similar to what she would bake. I have not been able to dig up her recipe so these will do until then. The only thing I did differently was put a glaze on them instead of frosting. I feel too lazy to make frosting.
Kevin
Lauren, interesting that your great-grandmother was Amish, are there are Amish traditions that still endure in your family or are most traces gone? Glad the cookies brought back memories!
Mary Ellen Young
I made these cookies , everyone loved them. A few batches I frosted and few batches I put a glaze on.
Both using the buttermilk.
Thank-you
Kevin Williams
I LOVE buttermilk cookies!
Donna Fancher
Kevin. I just read today's post so I have not yet had time to make this recipe as I am currently visiting my sister in Daviess County, IN, where I grew up. As a faithful follower of your stories, I have always wondered if you had ever visited this area of southwestern Indiana where there are several Amish communities, i.e., Washington, Montgomery, Odon, etc. My favorite Amish restaurant of all time was the Black Buggy which closed several years ago. It was popular with people all over Indiana and customers would travel a hundred miles or so just to dine there. I still miss it. So glad I now know you have been to this heavily Amish populated part of the Hoosier state. Love your stories as much or more than the recipes. Keep up the good work!
Kevin Williams
Thanks, Donna, I love that part of the state. I have heard of the Black Buggy, but haven't been there. This is another good Amish restaurant in that area!
Brenda
Love this recipe !!!! A very delicious cookie, not too sweet, the icing adds just enough sweetness. Great with a nice cup of tea.
Thank you.
Brenda
Kevin Williams
Glad you enjoyed, thanks for telling me, Brenda!