How to Make the Perfect 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
American · Easy · 32 min · 24 servings
These classic 3 ingredient sugar cookies are made with just butter, sugar, and flour to create perfectly golden, slightly crispy edged cookies with soft centers. They are incredibly simple and make a wonderful base for frosting and decorating.
Why this recipe works
This 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 32 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 95 calories with 1g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 4 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 pinch salt
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together with a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium-high speed for 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture is pale, very light, and fluffy. This step is essential for a tender cookie texture.
Step 2: Add Flour and Mix
Add the all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt to the butter-sugar mixture and mix on low speed just until the dough comes together and no dry flour streaks remain. The dough will be soft and slightly crumbly but should hold its shape when pressed. Do not overmix once the flour is added.
Step 3: Shape and Bake
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar for a classic look. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are just barely golden while the centers still look slightly underdone. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- all-purpose flour → gluten-free 1-to-1 flour blend for a gluten-free version that bakes similarly
- granulated sugar → powdered sugar for an even more tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie texture
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using cold butter straight from the refrigerator, which does not cream properly and leads to dense flat cookies
- Overbaking until fully golden all over, which dries out the cookies and removes the soft center texture
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 95 calories, 1g protein, 12g carbs, 5g fat, 0g fiber.
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