3 ingredient sugar cookie recipe​

3 Ingredient Sugar Cookie Recipe | Easy Holiday Baking

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Welcome to my kitchen! Today, I’m sharing my 3-ingredient sugar cookie recipe, a dessert that’s always a hit when I need something sweet without the fuss. I discovered this simple approach during a hectic spring weekend when my sister asked me to bring dessert to her daughter’s party with only two hours’ notice. Frantically searching my pantry, I found just three basics and decided to experiment. The golden, buttery results amazed everyone, and people kept asking for my secret.

This sugar cookie recipe is perfect for anyone who loves easy cookie recipes and wants something delicious without complicated steps or endless shopping lists. Whether you’re new to holiday baking or simply want a reliable go-to treat, these cookies will quickly become your favorite. The best part? You probably already have everything you need sitting in your pantry right now. Let’s explore why this quick cookie dough approach works so beautifully and how you can master it today.

Table of Contents

Quick Recipe Facts

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 14-16 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly
Calories: Approximately 120 per cookie (varies by size)

This 3-ingredient sugar cookie recipe is surprisingly quick—perfect for busy afternoons when you need a sweet treat fast or when unexpected guests arrive. Set out your ingredients before starting to streamline your quick cookie dough preparation.

You’ll need just three pantry staples for this easy cookie recipe:

  • 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened – Creates rich, buttery flavor
  • 2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar – Adds sweetness
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour – Provides structure

Optional Enhancements for Holiday Baking

Want to customize your 3-ingredient sugar cookie recipe? These additions elevate the base but aren’t necessary:

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda – Creates slight lift
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – Adds aromatic sweetness
  • Pinch of salt – Enhances overall flavor

Substitutions: Plant-based butter works for dairy-free needs. However, gluten-free or almond flour won’t produce the same results—all-purpose flour is essential for this quick cookie dough.

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup. This preparation makes your holiday baking much more efficient.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

Beat softened butter and sugar in a large bowl until pale and fluffy—about 3-4 minutes with a mixer, or 5-6 minutes by hand. The mixture should lighten in color and increase slightly in volume. This step is crucial for creating the perfect texture in your sugar cookie recipe.

Sift flour into the butter mixture. Mix on low speed just until combined—stop when you no longer see white streaks. Overmixing creates tough cookies, so be gentle with your quick cookie dough.

Step 4: Shape Your Easy Cookies

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into balls. Place on prepared sheets, spacing them 2-3 inches apart. Flatten each ball to about 1/2 inch thickness using a glass or your fingers.

Step 5: Bake Your 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies

Bake for 14-16 minutes until edges look dry but centers appear slightly soft. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. This technique ensures your sugar cookie recipe turns out perfectly every time.

3 ingredient sugar cookies

Perfect butter consistency: Softened butter should leave a slight fingerprint when pressed but still hold its shape. This ensures proper texture in your quick cookie dough.

Measure flour accurately: Use the spoon-and-level method for this sugar cookie recipe—spoon flour into your measuring cup, then level with a straight edge. Don’t pack it down.

Chill if needed: If your kitchen is warm or dough feels soft, refrigerate for 15 minutes before baking. This is especially helpful during holiday baking when kitchens tend to be warmer.

Customize flavors: Add vanilla extract, cinnamon, citrus zest, or chocolate chips to make these easy cookie recipes your own signature version.

Line your pans: Parchment paper or silicone mats prevent sticking and make cleanup effortless when preparing multiple batches for holiday baking.

Serving Suggestions for Your 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies

Serve warm from the oven or at room temperature—both are delicious. Pair with coffee, tea, or milk for a comforting snack that showcases this simple sugar cookie recipe.

Transform them into sandwiches by spreading Nutella, jam, or frosting between two cookies. Add whipped cream and fresh berries for an elegant dessert presentation that’s perfect for holiday baking occasions.

These versatile treats work wonderfully for casual gatherings, formal celebrations, or just satisfying your sweet tooth on a regular Tuesday afternoon.

cookie storage

Room temperature: Store your sugar cookie recipe results in an airtight container for up to one week. Optionally, add a bread slice to help maintain moisture—replace it every couple of days.

Freezing baked cookies: Place in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes when you’re ready to enjoy them.

Freezing quick cookie dough: Shape into balls and freeze on a tray, then transfer to bags. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time. This makes holiday baking prep so much easier.

Reheating: Warm in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes, or microwave individual cookies for 10 seconds to refresh that just-baked taste.

Health & Nutrition Info

Each cookie from this sugar cookie recipe contains approximately:

  • Calories: 120 (varies by size)
  • Carbohydrates: 13g
  • Protein: 1g
  • Fat: 7g

Reduce sugar: Use a 1:1 sugar substitute, though this may affect browning in your quick cookie dough.

Dairy-free option: Plant-based butter substitutes work well with minimal taste difference in this sugar cookie recipe.

Portion control: The moderate size makes it easy to enjoy one or two as a satisfying treat during holiday baking season.

Creative Decoration Ideas for Holiday Baking

Before baking: Press sprinkles, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts into the tops of your sugar cookie recipe dough.

After cooling: Drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. Add food coloring for themed parties or holiday baking occasions.

Holiday touches: Use crushed candy canes for Christmas, pumpkin spice for fall, or citrus zest for spring celebrations. This easy cookie recipe is endlessly adaptable.

Simple elegance: Dust with powdered sugar using a cookie stencil for beautiful patterns that impress guests.

Flat or overly spread cookies: Ensure butter was properly softened (not too warm) when making your quick cookie dough. If needed, chill dough for 15 minutes before baking, or add 2-3 tablespoons more flour.

Dense or hard texture: You may have used too much flour in your sugar cookie recipe. Use the spoon-and-level measuring method and reduce slightly if needed.

Cake-like consistency: This happens from overmixing after adding flour. Stop mixing as soon as the flour is just incorporated into your quick cookie dough.

Overbaked: Reduce baking time by 1-2 minutes for these easy cookie recipes. Remove when centers still look slightly underdone—they’ll firm up while cooling.

This sugar cookie recipe has become my go-to for holiday baking because it’s incredibly reliable and versatile. The simple ingredient list means you can whip up a batch anytime without a special grocery trip. During busy holiday seasons, this quick cookie dough approach saves precious time while still delivering homemade goodness.

The beauty of these easy cookie recipes lies in their adaptability. Use them as a base for decorated cookies, sandwich cookies, or enjoy them plain. They’re perfect for cookie exchanges, gift giving, or keeping your cookie jar full throughout the season.

Conclusion

This sugar cookie recipe works beautifully for bakers of all skill levels. It’s perfect for last-minute gatherings, satisfying sudden cravings, or mastering the basics of holiday baking. The straightforward approach makes success accessible to everyone who tries these easy cookie recipes.

Stick with the classic three-ingredient version or customize with your favorite additions. Either way, you’ll have delicious homemade cookies in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. This quick cookie dough method proves that simple doesn’t mean boring—sometimes the best recipes are the ones with the fewest ingredients.

Try this sugar cookie recipe and share your results! Leave a comment with your experience, rate it below, or tag me on social media with photos of your holiday baking creations. Check out my other easy cookie recipes for more simple baking inspiration.

Yes, freeze baked cookies or unbaked quick cookie dough for up to 2 months in airtight containers. Both methods work perfectly for holiday baking prep.

Use salted butter but omit any additional salt in this sugar cookie recipe.

Absolutely. Refrigerate dough for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Perfect for planned holiday baking.

Reduce sugar by 2-3 tablespoons for less sweetness. This may slightly affect texture in your easy cookie recipes.

What are the three core ingredients?

Just butter, sugar, and all-purpose flour. Everything else is optional in this sugar cookie recipe.

No, this recipe is designed specifically for all-purpose flour. Alternatives won’t provide the same structure.

Bake at 325°F for 14-16 minutes until edges are dry but centers look slightly soft.

Yes, chocolate chips, nuts, citrus zest, or extracts all work beautifully in this quick cookie dough.

Use plant-based butter instead of dairy butter—results are nearly identical in these easy cookie recipes.

This usually happens when butter is too warm during mixing. Make sure it’s softened but still holds its shape. Chilling the quick cookie dough for 15 minutes also helps.

Airtight containers at room temperature for one week, or freeze for up to 3 months. Perfect for holiday baking storage.

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