Sometimes, the simplest recipes are the best ones, and these 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies are the perfect example. Just three humble ingredients come together to create a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s impossible to resist. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just in the mood for something sweet, these cookies will hit the spot. Trust me, they’ll quickly become your go-to cookie recipe, and the best part? They’re incredibly easy to make! You don’t need any fancy ingredients or complicated steps—just simple, delicious goodness.
Why You’ll Love 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies
These butter cookies are more than just easy to make—they’re downright addictive. Here’s why you’ll fall head over heels for them:
Quick & Easy: With just three ingredients and minimal effort, you can whip up a batch of cookies in no time. It’s the perfect recipe when you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Buttery Perfection: These cookies are buttery, tender, and have that perfect balance of sweetness. Each bite is like a little piece of heaven!
Fewer Ingredients, More Flavor: Don’t let the simplicity fool you—these cookies are packed with rich, mouthwatering flavor. The few ingredients work together perfectly to create a classic, timeless treat.
Customizable: Want to add a personal touch? You can sprinkle sugar on top before baking, or dip them in melted chocolate for an extra indulgent twist.
Great for Any Occasion: Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a get-together, or just as an afternoon snack, these cookies are versatile enough to fit any occasion. They’re simple but always hit the mark.
Ingredients
With just three ingredients, these butter cookies are as straightforward as it gets. Here’s what you’ll need:
Butter
Butter is the star of the show here. It gives the cookies that melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavor. Be sure to use unsalted butter for the perfect balance of sweetness.
Flour
Flour holds everything together, providing the structure for these tender cookies. It’s the perfect base that allows the butter to shine through.
Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar adds a subtle sweetness and contributes to the delicate texture of the cookies. It’s the key to that light, soft bite.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Making these buttery cookies is so easy, even beginners can pull it off. Here’s how you do it:
Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly and gives them that perfect golden-brown finish.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and powdered sugar. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This should only take a couple of minutes.
Add the Flour
Gradually add the flour to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing until it forms a dough. The dough will be soft, but it should come together easily. If it’s too sticky, you can add a little extra flour until it reaches the right consistency.
Shape the Dough
Scoop small portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Gently flatten each ball with the back of a fork or your fingers to form a cookie shape.
Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown. Keep a close eye on them to avoid over-baking.
Let Cool
Once they’re done, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Serve and Enjoy
These buttery cookies are best enjoyed once they’ve cooled and are perfectly crispy around the edges. Enjoy them with a cup of tea or coffee for the ultimate treat!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Calories per serving: 130
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
How to Serve 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies
These simple butter cookies are delicious on their own, but here are a few ideas to make them even more special:
With a Cup of Tea or Coffee: These cookies are the perfect companion to your favorite hot drink. Whether you prefer tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, these cookies will elevate the experience.
Dust with Powdered Sugar: For a little extra sweetness, dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving.
Dip in Chocolate: Melt some chocolate and dip the cookies halfway for a decadent twist. You can use dark, milk, or white chocolate—whatever your heart desires!
Sandwich with Jam: Spread a thin layer of your favorite fruit jam between two cookies for a delightful cookie sandwich. Raspberry or strawberry jam works especially well.
Pair with Ice Cream: Sandwich these cookies around a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for a delicious ice cream sandwich.
Additional Tips
Here are some tips to help you perfect these butter cookies:
Use Softened Butter: Make sure your butter is softened at room temperature before mixing. This helps create a smoother dough and ensures the cookies bake evenly.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: When adding the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
Chill the Dough: If you find the dough too soft to handle, you can chill it in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes. This will make it easier to shape the dough.
Keep an Eye on Baking Time: These cookies bake quickly, so make sure to check them towards the end of the baking time to avoid over-baking. They’re done when the edges are lightly golden.
Customize Your Cookies: Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, sprinkles, or crushed nuts, to make these cookies your own!
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
A1: It’s best to use unsalted butter to control the level of salt in the cookies. However, if you only have salted butter, just reduce or omit any additional salt you might add to the dough.
Q2: Can I freeze these cookies?
A2: Yes! You can freeze the cookies after baking. Let them cool completely, then store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
Q3: Can I add flavorings to the dough?
A3: Absolutely! You can add vanilla extract, almond extract, or citrus zest to the dough for a burst of extra flavor.
Q4: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A4: Yes, you can substitute the regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Just make sure to check the measurements on the package.
Q5: How can I make these cookies a bit sweeter?
A5: You can increase the amount of powdered sugar slightly if you prefer a sweeter cookie. Or add a drizzle of melted chocolate on top for extra sweetness.
Q6: How do I store these cookies?
A6: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them as mentioned earlier.
Q7: Can I make these cookies in advance?
A7: Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, just roll the dough and bake as usual.
Q8: Can I use brown sugar instead of powdered sugar?
A8: Powdered sugar works best for the texture of these cookies, so I wouldn’t recommend substituting brown sugar for it.
Q9: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A9: Yes, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.
Q10: How do I know when the cookies are done?
A10: The cookies are done when the edges are golden brown. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they seem a little soft when you first take them out of the oven.
Conclusion
3-Ingredient Butter Cookies are the ultimate in simple, buttery goodness. With just three ingredients, you can create a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a holiday or just because, these cookies will always be a hit. So go ahead—whip up a batch, and enjoy the magic of these buttery delights!
Print3-Ingredient Butter Cookies
These 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies are simple yet delicious, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Made with just butter, powdered sugar, and flour, they come together quickly and can be shaped into swirls or any design you like. A perfect treat for any occasion!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24–30 cookies (depending on size) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened and slightly melted
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 large baking sheets with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, add the softened butter and powdered sugar. Cream at the highest speed for about 5 minutes or until the mixture is light, fluffy, and turns from yellow to white (similar to whipped cream). If using a stand mixer, stop and scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure all the butter gets creamed.
- Add Flour: Gradually add the flour to the butter mixture. Mix at low speed, then increase speed once the flour is incorporated. The dough will be crumbly at first but will come together into a thick, soft dough.
- Pipe the Dough: Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large open star tip (1/2-inch opening). Pipe the dough into swirls or your desired shape, spacing each cookie about 1 inch apart.
- Chill the Dough: Place the piped cookies in the fridge for 30 minutes to chill. This will help prevent them from spreading too much during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake one sheet at a time in the middle of the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the edges and surface turn a light golden brown. (My cookies took about 18-20 minutes.)
- Cool and Store: Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet before removing. Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container.
Notes
- For extra flavor, feel free to add a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of salt to the dough.
- Ensure the dough is chilled to prevent spreading during baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 100 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg