These 3 ingredient sugar cookies are the kind of sweet simplicity that makes me smile every time I bake them. They take me back to my grandma’s kitchen, where sugar cookies weren’t a holiday tradition—they were an all-year excuse to make something warm and buttery. Just three ingredients, no complicated steps, and somehow, they taste like love in edible form. I’ll admit, I’ve tried plenty of fancy cookie recipes that called for a dozen ingredients and a dash of stress, but none ever hit the same spot. This sugar cookie recipe proves that you don’t need a long shopping list to make something delicious. The texture? Soft with the perfect crumbly edge. The flavor? Sweet and buttery in that way that makes you reach for another before you realize it. If you’ve been looking for delicious cookie recipes that fit right into busy days or last-minute cravings, this one’s for you. So grab your mixing bowl, some sugar, butter, and flour, and let’s make homemade sugar cookies that’ll melt right on your tongue. No fancy equipment. No chill time. Just a simple, easy cookies recipe that proves joy can be baked in minutes.

Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
- 4) How to Make 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
- 5) Tips for Making 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
- 6) Making 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
- 8) Try these Dessert recipes next!
- 9) 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
This recipe for easy cookie recipes 3 ingredients proves that joy in baking doesn’t have to come with chaos in the kitchen. We’re talking soft, buttery cookies that come together faster than you can say “preheat the oven.”
Each cookie has that sweet balance—crispy on the outside and tender in the middle. Perfect with coffee, tea, or honestly, just right off the pan. I love that it’s budget-friendly and beginner-approved, which means anyone can bake a batch and feel like a pro.
And since it’s made from only three things—flour, sugar, and butter—it’s a sweet reminder that simple really can be special. Keep reading, and we’ll walk through every step like we’re baking side by side in my cozy kitchen at Simply Cooked Recipes.

2) Easy 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies Recipe
I’ve baked dozens of desserts, but these easy cookie recipes 3 ingredients have become my secret weapon. There’s something satisfying about pulling together a batch without measuring cups covering every inch of the counter. It’s almost like baking therapy, minus the cleanup stress.
What makes them special? It’s the texture. They’re soft enough to melt in your mouth but have a gentle snap around the edges. The kind of cookie that makes you pause mid-bite just to appreciate the buttery magic.
Whether it’s a holiday treat, a late-night craving, or a bake sale emergency, these cookies never fail. Every time I make them, I’m reminded how baking doesn’t have to be complicated to taste amazing. That’s why we love sharing simple joy at Simply Cooked Recipes.

3) Ingredients for 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
Unsalted Butter: Use butter that’s just soft enough to leave a thumbprint when pressed. Cold butter won’t blend well, and melted butter changes the texture. This single ingredient gives these cookies their rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
Granulated Sugar: White sugar keeps things simple and sweet. It helps the cookies hold shape and adds that classic sugar cookie sparkle when baked. I sometimes sprinkle a tiny bit on top before baking for extra crunch.
All-Purpose Flour: Think of flour as the frame holding everything together. It balances the butter and sugar, giving you cookies that stay soft but never fall apart. Keep it light and don’t pack the cup—over-measured flour makes dense cookies, and we’re after fluffy perfection.

4) How to Make 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
Step 1. Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and let the butter soften on the counter while the oven warms up. I always think of this step as the calm before the cookie storm.
Step 2. Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl until they look pale and fluffy. This is the heart of every good cookie. I love watching the texture change—it’s like the ingredients are waking up and getting ready to work together.
Step 3. Add the flour in slowly. The dough should come together soft but not sticky. If it feels dry, mix with your hands. It’s more fun that way anyway, and it makes sure every crumb gets attention.
Step 4. Roll small balls of dough and flatten each one with a fork or your fingers. Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges are just golden. Let them cool a bit before moving to a rack—they’ll finish setting up as they rest.
5) Tips for Making 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
Use room-temperature butter. Cold butter won’t cream properly, and melted butter turns the dough greasy. There’s a sweet spot right in the middle, and it’s worth waiting for.
Don’t overbake. The cookies might look pale when you pull them out, but they’ll continue baking on the sheet. Overbaking is the number-one enemy of soft sugar cookies.
Want to dress them up? Add a pinch of salt or a drop of vanilla extract. Even better, roll them in cinnamon sugar or colored sprinkles before baking. Easy cookie recipes 3 ingredients don’t get any more adaptable than this.
6) Making 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies Ahead of Time
These cookies are perfect for planning ahead. You can mix the dough, roll it into balls, and refrigerate it for up to two days before baking. I like doing this before a busy weekend—it makes spontaneous baking a breeze.
If you freeze them, place the dough balls on a tray first so they keep their shape. Once frozen, store them in a bag and label it with the date. You’ll thank yourself later when you want homemade sugar cookies without the prep mess.
When it’s time to bake, just place the frozen dough on a baking sheet and add a minute or two to the oven time. Fresh cookies anytime—it’s the best kitchen trick in my book.
7) Storing Leftover 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
Let’s talk leftovers. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container. They’ll stay soft for up to a week. Add a piece of bread to the container to keep moisture balanced—old trick, works like a charm.
If you prefer them crisp, skip the lid for a few hours to let them dry slightly. I’ve found these cookies are the kind that taste even better the next day, like they’ve had time to settle into their sweetness.
And if you somehow have too many (never happened in my house), freeze the extras. Reheat for 10 seconds in the microwave for that just-baked warmth again.
8) Try these Dessert recipes next!
9) 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies

Easy Cookie Recipes 3 Ingredients – Classic Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Gradually add flour, mixing until the dough comes together.
- Scoop small portions of dough, roll into balls, and flatten gently with your fingers or a fork.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.
- Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
10) Nutrition
Serving Size: 1 cookie | Calories: 115 | Sugar: 5 g | Sodium: 40 mg | Fat: 7 g | Saturated Fat: 4 g | Carbohydrates: 11 g | Protein: 1 g | Cholesterol: 20 mg




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