If you’re looking for a truly delightful and fuss-free treat, you’re going to love this Easy 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies Recipe. It’s the perfect way to enjoy buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies without juggling a long list of ingredients or complicated techniques. With just butter, flour, and powdered sugar playing starring roles, these cookies bring a classic, rich flavor and a perfect crumbly texture that’ll make every bite feel like a little celebration. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is a warm invitation to fill your kitchen with sweet, buttery comfort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These three simple ingredients are the magic behind your Easy 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies Recipe. Each one has an important role: butter adds richness and tenderness, flour creates that perfect crumbly structure, and powdered sugar keeps everything sweet and silky smooth, making each cookie a heavenly bite.
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened): Using softened butter helps you cream it easily with sugar for a light, fluffy dough.
- 2 cups All-purpose Flour: The backbone of the cookie, it gives the dough structure and that melt-away texture.
- 2/3 cup Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar dissolves quickly for a very tender cookie without any graininess.
- Vanilla Extract (optional): A splash adds a lovely warm, aromatic depth to the dough.
- Pinch of Salt (optional): Just a little salt balances out the sweetness perfectly.
- Sugar for Coating (optional): Rolling your shaped cookies in sugar before baking gives an extra sparkle and sweet crunch.
You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.
How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper — this little step keeps the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Getting this done upfront helps everything else flow smoothly.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Powdered Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter together with the powdered sugar until the mixture is pale, light, and fluffy. This takes about 2 to 3 minutes with a mixer and creates that airy texture that you want in your cookie dough. It’s the secret to the delicate crumb you’ll adore.
Step 3: Add Flour and Form the Dough
Slowly add in the flour, mixing gently until a smooth dough forms. Be careful not to overwork it — the moment it pulls together without being sticky, you’re golden. If the dough is too soft to handle, sprinkle in a tablespoon or two of extra flour to firm it up just right.
Step 4: Shape Your Cookies
Here you have two wonderful options to get your cookies ready:
- Cut-Out Cookies: Shape your dough into a flat disk and chill it wrapped in plastic wrap for about an hour. Once firm, roll it out to a quarter-inch thickness and use cookie cutters to create fun shapes.
- Slice-and-Bake Cookies: Roll the dough into a log, wrap it, and freeze for 30 minutes. Then simply slice into quarter-inch rounds, perfect for a quick bake that yields those perfectly round, classic cookies.
Step 5: Bake Until Golden
Lay your cookies on the baking sheet with a bit of room to breathe, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Watch as the edges turn just lightly golden, a sign they’ve achieved that delicate crispness without sacrificing softness inside.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to rest on the tray for a few minutes after baking, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set perfectly, and then you’re ready to enjoy a timeless buttery treat that’s absolutely irresistible.
How to Serve Easy 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These butter cookies are charming on their own, but a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a light dusting of cinnamon sugar just before baking can add an extra touch of sweetness and elegance. You can also dip one edge in melted chocolate for a luxe finish that dazzles guests.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cup of tea or coffee for a simple afternoon indulgence. They also make a wonderful companion to a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a bowl of fresh berries, providing a lovely contrast in texture and flavor.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the cookies in a pretty jar or wrap them up with a ribbon for a sweet gift. For a charming dessert plate, arrange them with fresh flowers and a drizzle of fruit preserves on the side. Presentation can turn these humble cookies into the star of any gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep your leftover butter cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They usually stay perfect for up to a week, retaining their buttery softness and delicate flavor beautifully.
Freezing
If you want to prepare ahead, the dough freezes wonderfully. Either freeze the fully rolled log before slicing or wrap cut-out shapes with parchment paper and freeze flat. When you’re ready, bake from frozen adding a few more minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To bring your cookies back to that freshly-baked warmth, simply pop them in a low oven (around 300°F/150°C) for 5 minutes. This gently refreshes their texture without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter for this recipe?
You can use salted butter, but be sure to skip adding extra salt elsewhere. Using unsalted butter is preferred as it gives you more control over the salt balance in your cookies.
What if I don’t have powdered sugar? Can I use granulated sugar instead?
Powdered sugar is key for the tender texture because it dissolves easily. Granulated sugar can make the cookies grainy and less delicate, so it’s best to stick to powdered sugar for this recipe.
Can I add flavors like lemon zest or spices to this cookie dough?
Absolutely! Adding vanilla extract is lovely, but you can also experiment with lemon zest, almond extract, or spices like cinnamon to give your butter cookies a unique twist.
How thin should I roll out the dough for cut-out cookies?
Rolling out to about ¼-inch thickness is perfect. This ensures the cookies bake evenly and stay tender without turning too crispy or hard.
Why do the cookies sometimes turn out crumbly and fall apart?
Under- or over-mixing the dough and not creaming the butter well enough can cause crumbly results. Make sure your butter is softened and mixed until fluffy, and handle the dough gently to keep that perfect texture.
Final Thoughts
It’s rare to find a recipe that’s both simple and so deeply satisfying, but this Easy 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies Recipe truly hits the mark. From the buttery aroma filling your kitchen to the first tender bite, these cookies bring joy to any occasion. So grab your favorite mixer, gather your ingredients, and dive into making a batch—you won’t regret sharing this little piece of buttery heaven with those you love.
PrintEasy 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies Recipe
This easy 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies recipe delivers classic, buttery cookies with minimal effort. Made with simple pantry staples like unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, and powdered sugar, these cookies are perfect for any occasion. You can shape them with cookie cutters or slice them from a log, then bake to golden perfection for a tender, melt-in-your-mouth treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 50 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Butter Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter, softened
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup Powdered sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract (optional, to taste)
- Pinch of Salt
For Coating
- Sugar, for coating (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside to prepare for baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture becomes pale, light, and fluffy. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes and ensures a smooth texture for the cookies.
- Add Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix gently just until a smooth dough forms. If the dough feels too soft or sticky to handle, incorporate 2 to 3 tablespoons more flour to make it easier to work with.
- Shape the Cookies: You have two methods to shape your cookies: For cut-out cookies, shape the dough into a flat disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour. Once chilled, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch (½ cm) thickness and cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Alternatively, for slice-and-bake cookies, roll the dough into a log shape, wrap in plastic wrap, and freeze for 30 minutes. Then slice into ¼-inch (½ cm) rounds.
- Bake: Arrange the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden, indicating they are done.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage and helps them set perfectly.
Notes
- You can add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough for extra flavor.
- If the dough is too sticky, add small increments of flour until it’s manageable.
- For a decorative touch, roll cookie dough slices or cutouts in sugar before baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- These cookies freeze well; store in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months.
