Dreamy 3-Ingredient Easy Sugar Cookies Recipe for Beginners

Whipping up delectable {3-ingredient} easy sugar cookies can turn an ordinary afternoon into a sweet celebration of simplicity.

Minimal ingredients mean maximum enjoyment without complex kitchen gymnastics.

Home bakers adore shortcuts that deliver delightful results.

Crisp edges and soft centers make these treats irresistible to everyone who tries them.

Butter, sugar, and flour dance together to create magic in just minutes.

No fancy equipment or culinary expertise required – just pure baking joy.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s create something deliciously uncomplicated that will have people asking for seconds.

What You’ll Need For {3-Ingredient} Easy Sugar Cookies

• Butter: The key fat that provides richness and tender texture to the sugar cookies.
• Sugar: Creates sweetness and helps with the cookie's golden color and crisp edges.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure-building ingredient that gives the cookies their classic shape and texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor that complements the sweetness of the cookies.

• Granulated Sugar, Sprinkles: Provides extra sweetness, sparkle, and a delightful crunch to the cookie's exterior.

How To Make {3-Ingredient} Easy Sugar Cookies Step-By-Step

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal and cleanup.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

Use a handheld electric mixer to blend butter and sugar until the mixture becomes slightly gritty and well combined.

Step 3: Incorporate Flour

• Flour
• Vanilla (optional)

Mix flour into the butter-sugar mixture until everything is thoroughly combined. If using vanilla, blend it into the dough for extra flavor.

Step 4: Shape Cookie Dough

Roll the dough into small one-inch balls using a cookie scoop or your hands. This ensures uniform cookie size and even baking.

Step 5: Coat Cookies in Sugar

Roll each dough ball in additional sugar, creating a sweet and sparkly exterior. Place the coated balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Step 6: Flatten and Decorate

Gently press down on each dough ball using the bottom of a measuring cup or glass. If desired, sprinkle decorative toppings and lightly press them into the surface.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the preheated oven. Bake for 14-16 minutes until the cookie edges and bottoms turn a light golden color.

Step 8: Cool and Set

Remove cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheets for 10-15 minutes. This helps them firm up and prevents breaking when transferred.

Step 9: Serve and Savor

Transfer cookies to a cooling rack. Enjoy these melt-in-your-mouth treats with a glass of milk or share with friends and family.

Quick Tips For {3-Ingredient} Easy Sugar Cookies

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for butter and sugar to ensure consistent cookie texture and sweetness.
• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerate dough for 15-20 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape.
• Gentle Flattening Technique: Press dough balls gently with a flat-bottomed glass to create uniform thickness without cracking.
• Sprinkle Smart: Add sprinkles before baking for better adhesion and a more professional-looking finish.
• Room Temperature Magic: Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet to develop a crisp exterior and soft center.

Simple Twists On {3-Ingredient} Easy Sugar Cookies

• Gluten-Free Sugar Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
• Vegan Sugar Cookies: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, and use plant-based sugar to create dairy-free cookies.
• Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookies: Fold mini chocolate chips into the dough before rolling for a classic sweet enhancement.
• Lemon Zest Sugar Cookies: Add fresh lemon zest to the dough for a bright, citrusy flavor profile that complements the sweet base.

What Goes Well With {3-Ingredient} Easy Sugar Cookies

• Pair Sweet Milk with Cookies: Creamy, cold milk complements the sugar cookies' buttery sweetness, creating a classic childhood-style treat that melts in your mouth.
• Serve with Vanilla Chai Tea: Warm, spiced chai tea offers a delightful contrast to the cookies' simple sugary flavor, enhancing the overall dessert experience with aromatic notes.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Soft, rich vanilla ice cream provides a cool, smooth companion to the crisp sugar cookies, elevating the dessert with a luxurious texture and complementary flavor profile.
• Combine with Light Moscato Wine: Delicate, slightly sweet Moscato wine brings a sophisticated adult twist to these simple cookies, offering a gentle effervescence that balances the sugary treat.

Best Way To Store {3-Ingredient} Easy Sugar Cookies

• Store cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days. Keep them in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Place completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container with wax paper separating layers. Cookies will stay delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
• Keep cookies in a sealed container with a tight lid at room temperature for 3-4 days. Ensure the container is placed away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 5-10 seconds or place in a preheated oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore their soft, fresh-baked texture.

Your {3-Ingredient} Easy Sugar Cookies FAQ

• Why do the cookies need to be rolled in sugar before baking?

Rolling the cookies in sugar creates a sweet, crispy exterior and adds a delightful sparkly texture to the cookie surface. This extra coating gives the cookies a professional bakery-like finish and enhances their overall sweetness.

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, you can use salted butter, but reduce or omit any additional salt in the recipe. Keep in mind that salted butter might slightly alter the cookie’s final taste and make them a bit more salty.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for light golden edges and bottoms. The cookies should appear set but not dark brown. They’ll be slightly soft when first removed from the oven and will firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.

What Makes {3-Ingredient} Easy Sugar Cookies So Great

• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Create delightful sugar cookies with just three simple ingredients, making baking accessible for everyone from novice cooks to seasoned bakers.
• Quick Kitchen Conquest: Prepare and bake these cookies in a short span, perfect for sudden sweet cravings or last-minute dessert needs without complicated steps.
• Customize with Ease: Add sprinkles or vanilla for personal flair, transforming basic sugar cookies into a fun and versatile treat that sparks creativity in the kitchen.
• Kid-Friendly Baking Adventure: Engage children in a simple cooking activity that teaches basic baking skills while creating delicious memories together, with minimal mess and maximum enjoyment.

Easy 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 29-31 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet simplicity shines in these 3-ingredient sugar cookies, masterfully blending minimal ingredients into delightful treats. Home bakers will savor each buttery, melt-in-your-mouth morsel that promises effortless baking pleasure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups + 1 tablespoon (260 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2/3 cup + 3 tablespoons (165 grams) granulated sugar

Flavor and Decoration:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:

• Rainbow sprinkles or nonpareils

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 325°F and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the texture becomes slightly granular.
3. Incorporate flour into the butter mixture, blending thoroughly. Mix in vanilla if desired.
4. Craft uniform dough spheres approximately 1 inch in diameter using a cookie scoop or hands.
5. Gently roll each dough ball in remaining sugar, ensuring a delicate coating.
6. Arrange sugar-coated balls on prepared sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
7. Delicately press each ball flat using the bottom of a measuring cup, creating a thin disc roughly 3/16-inch thick.
8. Optionally sprinkle decorative elements on top, gently pressing to secure.
9. Slide sheets into preheated oven and bake for 14-16 minutes until edges turn subtly golden.
10. After removing from oven, allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 10-15 minutes.
11. Transfer cookies to cooling rack to complete the setting process.
12. Serve and savor these delightful treats.

Notes

• Softening butter is crucial; leave it at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before starting to ensure smooth mixing and perfect cookie texture.
• Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes if it feels too soft, which helps prevent spreading and maintains the cookies’ shape during baking.
• For gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Customize flavor by adding a pinch of cinnamon, almond extract, or lemon zest to create unique taste variations without compromising the simple recipe structure.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 14-16 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 195 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg