Love buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies but don’t have access to an oven? No problem! With this clever stovetop method, you can whip up a batch of rich and tender butter cookies in just about 30 minutes using basic pantry ingredients. This brilliant recipe comes from Sunsets&Rains Kitchen on YouTube and proves that baking doesn’t have to be limited to the oven. Scroll down for the full step-by-step instructions and be sure to watch the video tutorial!

Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup salt (for stovetop baking method)
Instructions
1. Make the dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the softened butter, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and cornstarch, then gradually add this dry mixture into the butter mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms.
2. Pipe the cookies
Fit a piping bag with a star tip, then fill it with the cookie dough. Pipe small swirls or rosettes onto a round baking tray or cake pan lined with parchment paper. Place the tray in the fridge or freezer for at least 30 minutes—this helps the cookies hold their shape while cooking.
3. Set up the stovetop “oven”
Pour 1 cup of salt into a large, heavy-bottomed pan and place a steaming rack or trivet in the center. Preheat the pan over medium heat for a few minutes. Once hot, place your cookie tray on the rack, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and bake on medium heat for 30–35 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden.
4. Cool and enjoy
Carefully remove the tray from the pan and let the cookies cool completely before serving. They’ll firm up as they cool, giving you that classic buttery bite!
Oven Option:
Prefer to use your oven instead? Bake the cookies in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
These stovetop butter cookies are a game-changer—perfect for small kitchens, hot days, or anyone without an oven. They’re rich, delicate, and utterly delicious!