# Why are Danish style butter cookies so cheap? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [November 18, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969 "2025-11-18T23:20:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/1 "2025-11-18T23:20:40Z")
Not only are they delicious and come in an expensive tin but they are shipped halfway around the globe. Last week we bought the large 2 lb tin at an Asian market for about 10 bucks (a bit high, my wife bought them). Today I got the 8” diameter, 12 ounce tin at Menard’s for less then $3.00. The large tin was from Denmark. The 12 ounce are called Cambridge & Thames but made in India. They may be the best version I have had. So Danish cookies with a British name made in India and sold at an American lumber company. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/2 "2025-11-18T23:31:34Z")
International, indeed. Wait til the tariffs hit the butter cookie market. Seriously they’re cheap because they’re made if stale cookie dust and air. 😄 ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/3 "2025-11-19T01:54:47Z")
Wait, you’re saying that those shelves full of tins of my grandma’s sewing supplies… actually have cookies inside? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/4 "2025-11-19T16:07:25Z")
My guess is that it’s because they’re extremely simple, and composed completely of commodity ingredients- i.e. butter, sugar, flour and baking powder. That both makes the ingredients relatively cheap and makes the production process easier as well- just mix, extrude, and bake. Plus, they also keep pretty well, being fully baked, so they can be shipped everywhere without too much worry of spoilage in that time frame. Basically it’s a perfect storm of cheap ingredients, streamlined production, and long shelf life that allows them to be cheap and easily shippable. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/5 "2025-11-19T16:50:10Z")
Butter is no longer as cheap as it once was, and these cookies have become slightly more expensive in Canada. They used to be very inexpensive, but are still often a good deal. Been a while since I’ve seen the medium ones for $2.99 though. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/6 "2025-11-19T22:28:45Z")
It seems there are a large number of providers providing butter cookies in tin gift boxes these days, but I suspect those specific prices reflect the stores in question (perhaps selling old stock?) rather than current production costs. Using Amazon (no real sales, but a bulk supplier with a lot of options) the [12 oz Cambridge & Thames](https://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Thames-Danish-Butter-Cookies/dp/B00W48VSTS/ref=sr_1_17?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.bu-swgQKOtcfVITf4kUI7wGbHoTwtWthjA0p3Le3Q0vHiRvF7cRaQDTIQhaZBbkWnCxp76SkQFVsDQ1nmn7lX3RPWXG0rXCU3c100OrTOcPs-pkw2Ol7UV0wRBB-R9sn71MzBvYMnj5QqmHwLiGUy92pveX6xaUVRL_YR8P8sHpTutFWUinJuVXX2LTRm0GRB_IXjcOweT-W6Ih-y6TWq1ryhVQtF71uOo_HCezEsvk.LmSu2O-9Lf_lx4V4un6xTovKxmfrbgLy7nkQHY9cYNY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Cambridge+%2526+Thames&qid=1763590396&sr=8-17) mention came up at $8.51 US (5% off right now), while a similar [12 oz option by Royal Dansk](https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Dansk-Selection-Preservatives-Coloring/dp/B000FNFL0G/ref=pd_bxgy_thbs_d_sccl_1/142-6463724-2107204?pd_rd_w=zf6BG&content-id=amzn1.sym.dcf559c6-d374-405e-a13e-133e852d81e1&pf_rd_p=dcf559c6-d374-405e-a13e-133e852d81e1&pf_rd_r=666X7Y7474W63E4P512K&pd_rd_wg=YBR87&pd_rd_r=81fa1eff-c129-4475-9ad8-3fe5a5c1c23b&pd_rd_i=B000FNFL0G&th=1) was only $4.99. So, huge range in prices over size, provider, and location. Sounds like more or less normal capitalist drift? Although I’ll grant a bit of wonder that you can using @bump’s words: > [@bump](#): > > Basically it’s a perfect storm of cheap ingredients, streamlined production, and long shelf life that allows them to be cheap and easily shippable. And with all of that, the shipping costs, the middlemen, all all the other confusion of the world and sell them at the prices we’re talking about! It’s impressive, and kind of shows how much we (the consumer, avoiding for the moment talking about the environmental and social cost) benefit from such a dance of industry, as we learned NOT to take for granted during Covid-19 disruptions. But back to Cafe society, I don’t think I’ve had any such in 5-6 years… They’re inexpensive, but especially with the all of the above caveats, they’re more a value for the tin than the intensity of flavor. 🤷 ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2025, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/7 "2025-11-19T22:38:30Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > And with all of that, the shipping costs, the middlemen, all all the other confusion of the world and sell them at the prices we’re talking about! It’s impressive, and kind of shows how much we (the consumer, avoiding for the moment talking about the environmental and social cost) benefit from such a dance of industry, as we learned NOT to take for granted during Covid-19 disruptions. I think the missing part is just how cheap those agricultural commodities are if you’re getting them at the market price and close to the source. (or if you prefer, how large the markups are) For example, a bushel of wheat is in the $5.25-5.50 range, and that bushel’s good for around 42 pounds of wheat flour. So even if you double it to account for milling (probably wildly inflated), you’re still looking at a quarter per lb, which is less than half the retail price of regular old AP flour. Butter’s similar- it’s $1.53/lb right now on the commodities market, and it sells for about $4.80/lb retail. Sugar’s also _much, much_ cheaper overseas, due to the lack of protective tariffs (these predated Trump), at about $430 per metric ton in the commodities market. Or $0.19 per pound, if you prefer. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/8 "2025-11-20T01:03:44Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Wait, you’re saying that those shelves full of tins of my grandma’s sewing supplies… actually have cookies inside? [This recent Morgan Donner video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYNqEgOQRbk) is very apropos. (Historical/sustainable craftuber makes “sewing basket” to hide the butter cookies in.) Me, I found [one of these](https://www.ebay.com/itm/167894537334?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28&google_free_listing_action=view_item) in a thrift shop to use for my cookie tin. Turnabout is fair play! 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/9 "2025-11-20T01:06:38Z")
In America they’re called spritz cookies and are easy to make. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/10 "2025-11-20T01:24:31Z")
I’ve never heard them called that. Is it a regionalism? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/11 "2025-11-20T01:25:31Z")
I’ve never heard that term, either. I do love those things, though, especially with a nice cup of tea or coffee. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/12 "2025-11-20T01:34:57Z")
Those blue Royal Dansk tins are regular thing at Christmas (along with those panettone, though the butter cookies actually taste good). ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/13 "2025-11-20T01:59:10Z")
And so much better than the tins! We have one of those cookie extruders and make them every holiday season. Now that I know what goes into the dough, I try not to eat so many. They are really and effective way to get a lot of butter and sugar into your mouth. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/14 "2025-11-20T02:18:48Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’ve never heard them called that. Is it a regionalism? - No, but you don’t see “spritz cookies” around as much as you used to. They’re made with metal cookie presses that extrude a soft dough. When I was a kid you’d buy them by the dozen at bakeries. Some of the Royal Dansk cookies are extruded like spritz cookies. Now I want a spritz cookie with a candied cherry in the middle. [![](https://assets.wsimgs.com/wsimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/202522/0158/img11j.jpg) ](https://assets.wsimgs.com/wsimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/202522/0158/img11j.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![pirviii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pirviii/32/3233_2.png) [@pirviii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pirviii)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/15 "2025-11-20T02:47:10Z")
The wife makes the spritz cookies, colored red and green, shaped like trees, snowflakes or wreaths. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/16 "2025-11-20T03:20:08Z")
Knowing Menards and their Christmas Village and related gifts, it might just be a loss-leader to keep you buying more. We rarely leave that store with less than empty cart. I hope you file the 11% rebate, making the final cost $2.67. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/17 "2025-11-20T06:32:33Z")
I think there’s a German name for Spritz cookies. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/18 "2025-11-20T13:15:17Z")
Coincidentally I’ve recently been using a French recipe for something similar > **[Palets Bretons](https://daysontheclaise.blogspot.com/2025/10/palets-bretons.html?m=1)** > > Yet another plain old fashioned recipe that I have made several times during the course of Simon's radiotherapy. These simple shortbread lik... ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/19 "2025-11-20T13:24:24Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > No, but you don’t see “spritz cookies” around as much as you used to. Now I’m just waiting for Baader-Meinhof to take effect. I literally never remember ever hearing or seeing the term, but I’m now wondering if I’ve just been deaf and blind to it. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2025, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969/20 "2025-11-20T14:08:22Z")
Yeah. I certainly remember “helping” Mom make those sorts of cookies with the dough squirtgun. And her buying them from the bakery. I’ve certainly eaten lots of them, albeit not much in the last 30 years. I’m pretty sure I’ve never heard the term “spritz” connected to them though. I wonder if that’s more a regionalism from the heavily ethnic German or Dutch areas of the US. Time to see if Baader or Meinhof make an appearance. This is certainly the season to be hearing / reading about home-baked cookies. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-danish-style-butter-cookies-so-cheap/1024969.md?page=2)