Let’s be real—sometimes, you just need a cookie. Not a complicated, 12-step, chill-the-dough, sift-your-flour-like-a-pastry-chef kind of cookie. Just a simple, soft, sweet, no-fuss cookie that you can whip up in minutes. Enter: 3 ingredient sugar cookies.
Yes, you read that right. Three. Ingredients. That’s it. No eggs, no fancy stuff, no long list of ingredients that make you question if baking is worth the effort. Just butter, sugar, and flour—your baking BFFs.
So, if you’ve got a sweet tooth and about 20 minutes to spare, let’s get baking.
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
- Super Easy – If you can stir, then you can make these.
- Budget-Friendly – You probably have everything in your kitchen already.
- Perfect for Any Occasion – Last-minute guests? Bake sale? Midnight snack attack? These cookies have your back.
- Customizable – Add sprinkles, dip them in chocolate, or turn them into sandwich cookies.
What You Need (Literally Just 3 Things)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (because butter is life)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (sweet, but not too sweet)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (the glue that holds it all together)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
- rainbow sprinkles or nonpareils (optional for decoration)
That’s it. No eggs, no baking soda, no vanilla extract (though, if you wanna get fancy, you can totally toss some in).
How to Make 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
1: Mix It Up
Using a standard bowl, mix together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat them by hand with a wooden spoon, with a handheld mixer, or simply by standing and mixing till it feels sore.
2: Add the Flour
Gradually, add the flour into it and bring it to dough. It’s going to feel slightly crumbly in the beginning, but keep on working it already – it’ll come together. If it is too dry, add a bit of milk.
3: Roll and Cut (Or Not!)
Now, you’ve got options:
- Classic round cookies – Roll the dough into little balls, flatten them slightly, and bake.
- Cut-out cookies – Roll the dough out, grab your favorite cookie cutters, and go wild.
4: Bake to Perfection
Pop them in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just golden.
5: Cool and Enjoy
Let them sit on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack (or straight into your mouth—I won’t judge).
Amélie’s Tips for the Best 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies
- Room temp butter is a must – Too cold? The dough won’t mix right. Too soft? The cookies spread too much.
- Mix gently – Overmixing makes them tough. Stir just until the dough comes together.
- Bake one test cookie – Every oven is different. This helps avoid a whole tray of overbaked cookies.
- Let them rest – Don’t move them too soon, or they might break!
Fun Ways to Customize Your Cookies
Even though these cookies are delicious as-is, here are some easy ways to switch things up:
- Sprinkle some fun – Before baking, press sprinkles or colored sugar on top.
- Chocolate drizzle – Drizzle all over the cooled cookies the melted chocolate.
- Lemon zest – Add a little citrus zest to the dough for a fresh twist.
- Cinnamon sugar – Roll the dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking.
My First Time Making These Cookies
I made these in a full-blown panic—zero energy, no fancy ingredients, and a family event the next day. I figured a 3-ingredient cookie had to be a scam, but I was desperate.
Turns out, it was magic. The dough came together fast, my kitchen smelled amazing, and my family devoured them. Even my picky aunt asked for the recipe.
Now, these cookies are my go-to for stress-free baking. Simple, sweet, and always a hit!
Can You Make 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies Without an Oven?
Believe it or not, you don’t always need an oven to enjoy these cookies. If you’ve got an air fryer, you can bake them at 325°F for about 8 minutes—just check them often since air fryers cook faster. You can also try a stovetop version by cooking the dough in a covered nonstick pan over low heat. They won’t be as crispy, but they’ll still be soft and sweet.
How to Make 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies Chewier or Crispier
The beauty of this recipe is that you can tweak it based on your cookie cravings:
- For chewier cookies – Add a splash of milk or an extra tablespoon of butter to the dough. This helps keep the cookies soft in the center.
- For crispier cookies – Roll the dough thinner and bake for an extra 1-2 minutes until the edges turn golden brown.
Can You Freeze 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookie Dough?
Yes! If you want fresh cookies on demand, just freeze the dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to bake, pop them in the oven straight from the freezer—just add an extra 2-3 minutes to the baking time. You can also freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
Why 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies Are Perfect for Kids
If you’ve got little helpers in the kitchen, this recipe is a dream. No eggs mean no raw egg worries, and the dough is easy to mix by hand. Kids love rolling the dough into balls, pressing them flat, or using cookie cutters to make fun shapes. Plus, the ingredient list is so short, there’s less mess (and fewer trips to the store for missing ingredients).
Turning 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies into a Holiday Favorite
These cookies are a holiday lifesaver when you need a last-minute treat. Dress them up with festive decorations:
- Christmas: Add red and green sprinkles.
- Halloween: Mix in orange food coloring or drizzle with dark chocolate.
- Valentine’s Day: Use a heart-shaped cutter and dust with powdered sugar.
- Easter: Dip in pastel-colored icing.
They’re also great for cookie decorating parties—just bake a batch and let everyone go wild with icing and toppings.
The Secret to the Best 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies
Want bakery-level sugar cookies with just three ingredients? Here’s the trick: use high-quality butter. Since butter is the base of this recipe, a good European-style butter (like Kerrygold) will give you a richer, more buttery flavor. If you’ve ever wondered why bakery cookies taste better, this is one of their secrets!
3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies for Special Diets
Want to make these cookies fit your dietary needs? A few simple swaps can help:
- Vegan: Use dairy-free butter (like Earth Balance or Miyoko’s).
- Low-Sugar: Replace half the sugar with a sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener.
- High-Protein: Swap half the flour for almond flour for a slightly nutty flavor and added protein.
No matter how you tweak them, 3-ingredient sugar cookies remain one of the easiest and most versatile cookie recipes out there!
Variations to Try with 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies
These cookies are simple, but that’s what makes them perfect for experimenting! Try these easy tweaks for a fun twist:
- Buttery Shortbread Style – Use salted butter for a richer, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Chocolate Version – Swap ¼ cup of flour for cocoa powder for a soft, brownie-like cookie.
- Crunchy Sugar Coating – Roll dough balls in coarse sugar for a crisp edge.
- Citrus Twist – Add lemon or orange zest for a fresh, bright flavor.
- Almond Flavor – A few drops of almond extract add a nutty, bakery-style taste.
- Holiday Fun – Use colored sugar or food dye to match any celebration.
- Sandwich Cookies – Spread Nutella, frosting, or jam between two cookies for a sweet upgrade.
If you love easy, 3-ingredient desserts, check out my 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge for a rich, no-bake treat
How to Store and Freeze 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies
One of the best things about these 3-ingredient sugar cookies is how well they store. You must store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and thus, they will retain their freshness to a week. If you want to enjoy them later, you can freeze the baked cookies or even the raw dough.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Let them cool completely, then store them in a freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before eating.
- Freezing Cookie Dough: Roll the dough into balls and freeze them on a tray. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag. When ready to bake, place them directly on a baking sheet and add 1-2 extra minutes to the baking time.
This way, you can always have fresh cookies ready with minimal effort!
FAQs About 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies
What Are the Basic Ingredients for Sugar Cookies?
Classic sugar cookies usually include butter, sugar, flour, eggs, vanilla extract, and baking powder. These ingredients create a soft, slightly crispy cookie with a sweet, buttery flavor. However, simpler versions—like 3-ingredient sugar cookies—cut it down to just butter, sugar, and flour while still delivering a delicious treat.
What Are the Three Ingredients in Brown Sugar Cookies?
For a brown sugar twist, swap the regular sugar for brown sugar! The three simple ingredients are:
Butter – Adds richness and moisture.
Brown sugar – Creates a deeper, caramel-like sweetness.
Flour – Holds everything together.
Brown sugar cookies tend to be a little softer and chewier than regular sugar cookies due to the extra moisture in brown sugar.
How to Make Three-Ingredient Cookie Dough?
Making 3-ingredient cookie dough is as easy as mixing softened butter, sugar, and flour in a bowl. Stir until it forms a smooth dough. If it’s too crumbly, add a teaspoon of milk. Once mixed, roll into balls, flatten slightly, and bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. That’s it!
What Is the Trick to Sugar Cookies?
The secret to perfect sugar cookies comes down to a few small details:
Use room temperature butter – Ensures even mixing and a smooth dough.
Don’t overmix the flour – Keeps cookies soft instead of tough.
Chill the dough (if needed) – Helps prevent spreading for crisp edges.
Bake just until the edges are golden – Overbaking makes them hard instead of soft.
The Easiest Cookies You’ll Ever Make
There you have it—3-ingredient sugar cookies that are ridiculously simple yet totally satisfying. Whether you need a quick snack, a fun baking project, or just an excuse to eat cookies, this recipe is a keeper.
Now go preheat that oven—you’ve got cookies to make!
Print3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies
There you have it—3-ingredient sugar cookies that are ridiculously simple yet totally satisfying. Whether you need a quick snack, a fun baking project, or just an excuse to eat cookies, this recipe is a keeper.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 44 minute
- Yield: About 20–24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (because butter is life)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (sweet, but not too sweet)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (the glue that holds it all together)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
- rainbow sprinkles or nonpareils (optional for decoration)
Instructions
1: Mix It Up
Using a standard bowl, mix together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat them by hand with a wooden spoon, with a handheld mixer, or simply by standing and mixing till it feels sore.
2: Add the Flour
Gradually, add the flour into it and bring it to dough. It’s going to feel slightly crumbly in the beginning, but keep on working it already – it’ll come together. If it is too dry, add a bit of milk.
3: Roll and Cut (Or Not!)
Now, you’ve got options:
- Classic round cookies – Roll the dough into little balls, flatten them slightly, and bake.
- Cut-out cookies – Roll the dough out, grab your favorite cookie cutters, and go wild.
4: Bake to Perfection
Pop them in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just golden.
5: Cool and Enjoy
Let them sit on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack (or straight into your mouth—I won’t judge).
Notes
- Room temp butter is a must – Too cold? The dough won’t mix right. Too soft? The cookies spread too much.
- Mix gently – Overmixing makes them tough. Stir just until the dough comes together.
- Bake one test cookie – Every oven is different. This helps avoid a whole tray of overbaked cookies.
- Let them rest – Don’t move them too soon, or they might break!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 5g
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Protein: 1g
Keywords: 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies