Go Back
Adam

Easy Sugar Cookie Recipe – Only 3 Ingredients!

If you’ve ever craved cookies fast — with no complicated steps, no long ingredient list, and no fuss — 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 Kids’ 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. ✨
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
bake time 12 minutes
Total Time 17 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • That’s it!
  • 3 ingredients → perfect cookies.

Equipment

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

Method
 

Step 1:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). 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 — 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 8–12 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

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 6–7 days.
Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
To re-soften: microwave 1 cookie for 6 seconds — perfection.
🥄 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 ½ cup mini chocolate chips.
❓ 10 FAQs
Do these really only use 3 ingredients?
Yes — butter, sugar, flour. Simple but delicious.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes — skip any added salt.
Why are my cookies crumbly?
Keep mixing — butter warms and binds everything.
Can I make cut-out shapes?
Yes — chill dough 20 minutes first.
Can I make them crisp instead of soft?
Bake 1–2 extra minutes.
Can I add flavor extracts?
Absolutely — vanilla, almond, or lemon are perfect.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes — freeze up to 2 months, bake from frozen.
Can kids help make these?
Yes — this is a wonderful beginners’ recipe.
Can I add frosting?
Yes — buttercream or royal icing works beautifully.
How do I keep them pale?
Bake until edges just barely turn golden.
🏁 Conclusion
These 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies are soft, buttery, sweet, and wonderfully simple. They’re proof that delicious baking doesn’t need to be complicated — 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