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Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe โ€“ Only 3 Ingredients!

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Author: Adam
Published:

๐ŸŽ‰ Introduction

If youโ€™ve ever craved cookies fast โ€” with no complicated steps, no long ingredient list, and no fuss โ€” this 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookie Recipe is your new best friend. These cookies are soft, buttery, lightly sweet, and incredibly satisfying. They come together in minutes, using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

No mixer drama.
No chilling.
No fancy techniques.

Just simple, classic, buttery cookies made for:

  • Last-minute dessert cravings
  • Kidsโ€™ baking day
  • Tea + coffee treats
  • Holiday cookie trays
  • Any moment that needs a touch of sweetness

This recipe is proof that sometimes the simplest things are the most delicious. โœจ


๐Ÿงฐ Equipment Needed

  • Mixing bowl
  • Spoon or rubber spatula
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack

๐Ÿ›’ Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ยฝ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

Thatโ€™s it!
3 ingredients โ†’ perfect cookies.


๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿณ Directions

Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (180ยฐC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2:
In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until smooth and fluffy.

Step 3:
Add the flour gradually and mix until a soft dough forms.
If the dough seems crumbly, keep folding โ€” it comes together.

Step 4:
Scoop or roll dough into small balls. Place onto baking sheet.
For a classic look, gently press each cookie with the bottom of a glass or your palm.

Step 5:
Bake for 8โ€“12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn lightly golden.
Cookies should stay pale and soft.

Step 6:
Cool on the sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.


๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Servings & Timing

  • Servings: 18โ€“24 cookies
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Bake Time: 8โ€“12 minutes
  • Total Time: ~15 minutes

๐ŸงŠ Storage & Reheating

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 6โ€“7 days.
  • Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
  • To re-soften: microwave 1 cookie for 6 seconds โ€” perfection.

๐Ÿฅ„ Variations

These cookies are amazing for customizing.

  • Vanilla Sugar Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
  • Holiday Sprinkle Cookies: Roll dough balls in sprinkles before baking.
  • Cinnamon Sugar Cookies: Roll in cinnamon + sugar (snickerdoodle style).
  • Lemon Sunshine Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest to dough.
  • Chocolate Chip Version: Fold in ยฝ cup mini chocolate chips.

โ“ 10 FAQs

  1. Do these really only use 3 ingredients?
    Yes โ€” butter, sugar, flour. Simple but delicious.
  2. Can I use salted butter?
    Yes โ€” skip any added salt.
  3. Why are my cookies crumbly?
    Keep mixing โ€” butter warms and binds everything.
  4. Can I make cut-out shapes?
    Yes โ€” chill dough 20 minutes first.
  5. Can I make them crisp instead of soft?
    Bake 1โ€“2 extra minutes.
  6. Can I add flavor extracts?
    Absolutely โ€” vanilla, almond, or lemon are perfect.
  7. Can I freeze the dough?
    Yes โ€” freeze up to 2 months, bake from frozen.
  8. Can kids help make these?
    Yes โ€” this is a wonderful beginnersโ€™ recipe.
  9. Can I add frosting?
    Yes โ€” buttercream or royal icing works beautifully.
  10. How do I keep them pale?
    Bake until edges just barely turn golden.

๐Ÿ Conclusion

These 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, sweet, and wonderfully simple. Theyโ€™re proof that delicious baking doesnโ€™t need to be complicated โ€” just warm butter, a little sugar, and a moment to enjoy something homemade.

Bake them for quick joy.
Bake them for family moments.
Bake them because the simplest things are often the sweetest

Adam

Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe โ€“ Only 3 Ingredients!

If youโ€™ve ever craved cookies fast โ€” with no complicated steps, no long ingredient list, and no fuss โ€” this 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookie Recipe is your new best friend. These cookies are soft, buttery, lightly sweet, and incredibly satisfying. They come together in minutes, using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. No mixer drama. No chilling. No fancy techniques. Just simple, classic, buttery cookies made for: Last-minute dessert cravings Kidsโ€™ baking day Tea + coffee treats Holiday cookie trays Any moment that needs a touch of sweetness This recipe is proof that sometimes the simplest things are the most delicious. โœจ
Prep Time 5 minutes
bake time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ยฝ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • Thatโ€™s it!
  • 3 ingredients โ†’ perfect cookies.

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Spoon or rubber spatula
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

Step 1:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (180ยฐC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2:
  1. In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until smooth and fluffy.
Step 3:
  1. Add the flour gradually and mix until a soft dough forms.
  2. If the dough seems crumbly, keep folding โ€” it comes together.
Step 4:
  1. Scoop or roll dough into small balls. Place onto baking sheet.
  2. For a classic look, gently press each cookie with the bottom of a glass or your palm.
Step 5:
  1. Bake for 8โ€“12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn lightly golden.
  2. Cookies should stay pale and soft.
Step 6:
  1. Cool on the sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Notes

๐ŸงŠ Storage & Reheating
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 6โ€“7 days.
Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
To re-soften: microwave 1 cookie for 6 seconds โ€” perfection.
๐Ÿฅ„ Variations
These cookies are amazing for customizing.
Vanilla Sugar Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Holiday Sprinkle Cookies: Roll dough balls in sprinkles before baking.
Cinnamon Sugar Cookies: Roll in cinnamon + sugar (snickerdoodle style).
Lemon Sunshine Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest to dough.
Chocolate Chip Version: Fold in ยฝ cup mini chocolate chips.
โ“ 10 FAQs
Do these really only use 3 ingredients?
Yes โ€” butter, sugar, flour. Simple but delicious.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes โ€” skip any added salt.
Why are my cookies crumbly?
Keep mixing โ€” butter warms and binds everything.
Can I make cut-out shapes?
Yes โ€” chill dough 20 minutes first.
Can I make them crisp instead of soft?
Bake 1โ€“2 extra minutes.
Can I add flavor extracts?
Absolutely โ€” vanilla, almond, or lemon are perfect.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes โ€” freeze up to 2 months, bake from frozen.
Can kids help make these?
Yes โ€” this is a wonderful beginnersโ€™ recipe.
Can I add frosting?
Yes โ€” buttercream or royal icing works beautifully.
How do I keep them pale?
Bake until edges just barely turn golden.
๐Ÿ Conclusion
These 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, sweet, and wonderfully simple. Theyโ€™re proof that delicious baking doesnโ€™t need to be complicated โ€” just warm butter, a little sugar, and a moment to enjoy something homemade.
Bake them for quick joy.
Bake them for family moments.
Bake them because the simplest things are often the sweetest
Adam

Hello! Iโ€™m Adam, a 34-year-old passionate chef and the creator of The Food Journal.
Welcome to my corner of the internet where flavor meets creativity. Here at The Food Journal, I share my favorite recipes, cooking tips, and food stories โ€” all crafted to inspire your next delicious meal.

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