It’s just too good to be true to bite into a cookie that is soft, sweet, and crunchy all at the same time. You can get that with these Panko Cookies. This version of the classic cookie recipe utilizes crispy panko breadcrumbs to create cookies that are soft and melt-in-your-mouth, setting them apart from regular shortbread and sugar cookies.
This recipe has quickly become the go-to for bakers who want a cookie that tastes fancy, feels special, and doesn’t take much work. These cookies are a great surprise in every bite, whether you’re making them for the holidays, tea time, a gift, or just a weekend craving.
Why Panko is the Best Choice for Cookies
Using panko breadcrumbs in cookies has a lot of benefits:
- More crunchiness without making the cookies tough
- The texture is better because panko is light and airy.
- Panko helps the butter spread evenly throughout the dough, which makes the baking more even.
- This cookie stands out in any dessert lineup because of how it feels in your mouth.
This recipe always works, so it’s great for people who are new to baking and want to make cookies that taste like they came from a bakery.
Ingredients: What You Need to Make Panko Cookies
Using high-quality ingredients makes the cookies taste better and makes sure they bake evenly.
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter that has been softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup of sugar that has been powdered
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract
Dry Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
For Decoration
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, for coating
Instructions to Make the Perfect Panko Cookies
Get your baking space ready. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) before you start. Put parchment paper on two big baking sheets. This stops things from sticking and makes sure they brown evenly.
Mix the butter and sugar together. Mix the softened butter and powdered sugar together in a big bowl until the mixture is light, fluffy, and creamy. This step adds air, which makes your cookies soft and chewy.
Add the flavors. Add the almond and vanilla extracts and mix them in gently until they are evenly mixed in. These extracts give the panko a deeper, warmer, and sweeter smell that goes well with it.
Mix the dry ingredients together. Slowly add the panko breadcrumbs and all-purpose flour. Mix until the dough is smooth, even, and soft. It should be easy to shape the dough, but it shouldn’t be sticky.
Make the Cookie Dough into a shape. Cut the dough into ten equal pieces. Make round balls out of each piece, then press them down with your palm to make discs that are 1/2 inch thick. This shape makes sure that the cookies bake evenly and gives them the classic shortbread look.
Bake until golden brown. Put the discs on the baking sheets you’ve already prepared, leaving space between each cookie.
Bake for 15 minutes, turning the tray halfway through to make sure the food is evenly browned. The cookies should still be light on top with golden edges. This means that the butter and panko have done their job.
Let it cool and coat. After baking, let the cookies sit on the tray for 10 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool all the way down.
Once they are cool, roll them in a lot of powdered sugar. This last layer makes the cookies sweeter and gives them a lovely snowy look.
Tips for the Best Panko Cookies
Use room-temperature butter
Soft butter blends smoothly with sugar, creating the perfect base texture.
Don’t overmix the dough
Once the dry ingredients are incorporated, stop mixing to avoid tough cookies.
Let them cool fully before coating
Warm cookies will absorb the powdered sugar instead of being coated by it.
Try flavour variations
Enhance your cookies with:
- Lemon zest
- Orange zest
- Cinnamon
- Cocoa powder
- Melted chocolate drizzle
These additions create unique versions while keeping the beloved panko texture.
How to Serve Panko Cookies
These cookies go great with:
Green tea or hot tea
Lattes or coffee
Chocolate that is hot
Dessert trays for the holidays
Gift boxes or cookie tins
Spreads for afternoon tea
They are a great snack for any time of day because they are soft and crumbly and have a nice crunch. Adults, kids, and dessert lovers all love them.
How to Store
To keep things as fresh as possible:
You can keep cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
Put a small piece of bread inside the container to make it even softer.
You can freeze baked cookies for up to three months without the sugar coating. After thawing, sprinkle powdered sugar on top.
The History of Panko Cookies
People have been using panko, a Japanese-style breadcrumb with a light, flaky texture, to make crispy coatings for fried foods for a long time. But in the last few years, creative bakers have started using panko in desserts and found that its light, crispy texture makes cookies much softer.
This recipe is based on traditional powdered sugar cookies and combines European shortbread traditions with Japanese cooking creativity. The cookie stays crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, and the flavors are perfectly balanced.
The History of Panko Cookies
People have been using panko, a Japanese-style breadcrumb with a light, flaky texture, to make crispy coatings for fried foods for a long time. But in the last few years, creative bakers have started using panko in desserts and found that its light, crispy texture makes cookies much softer.
This recipe is based on traditional powdered sugar cookies and combines European shortbread traditions with Japanese cooking creativity. The cookie stays crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, and the flavors are perfectly balanced.
Panko Cookies bring together the richness of traditional butter cookies and the crispiness of Japanese panko breadcrumbs, creating a delightful fusion treat. Their flavour, simplicity, and delicate crunch make them one of the most versatile cookies you can bake.
Hi, I’m Clara Magnet
Hi there! As an author, I’m actually a professional chef and food blogger. I’ve been cooking for over 10 years and absolutely love creating recipes that bring people together around the table.
I take a lot of pride in making sure all of my recipes are accurate and delicious. I do a ton of research and testing to make sure everything turns out just right. I get inspiration from all sorts of sources, and I try to use ingredients that are in season, organic, and locally sourced whenever I can.
One of the most important things to me is making sure my recipes are easy to follow and producing great results every time. If you ever have any questions or need some extra guidance, don’t hesitate to ask! I’m always happy to help out. Thanks for checking out my recipes, and happy cooking!