sablé is a French butter cookie in the shortbread family that may have originated in Normandy. The cookie or biscuit is usually sweet and may be sandwiched in pairs with a filling. Normandy lies on the northwest coast of France, where the Atlantic provides a mild, even climate with ample rainfall, leading to a long tradition of dairy farming. High-quality butter is a key ingredient of the sablé, along with flour, egg yolks, and sugar. A little salt and vanilla, or perhaps lemon, almond, or chocolate, are the only other flavorings. For a savory sablé, grainy Parmesan or similar hard cheese is grated and mixed into the dough.
