What are the three ingredients for sugar cookies?

The classic version only needs butter, sugar, and flour. These three pantry staples combine to make a buttery dough that bakes into soft, golden cookies with a slightly crisp edge.

What are the basic ingredients for sugar cookies?

Traditionally, sugar cookies use butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and a little vanilla. But in this simplified recipe, eggs aren’t necessary—you’ll still get the same delicious flavor and texture with just three ingredients.

How do you make cookie dough with 3 ingredients?

It’s as simple as creaming butter and sugar together, then mixing in flour until a dough forms. Roll the dough into balls, coat in sugar, flatten slightly, and bake. That’s it!

Which cookie is the easiest to make?

Without a doubt, 3-ingredient sugar cookies are one of the easiest. They require almost no prep time, minimal cleanup, and no advanced baking skills—making them a perfect starter recipe.

3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies: Easiest Recipe You’ll Ever Bake

Name: 3-Ingredient Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 34 cookies
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, room temperature; 2/3 cup + 3 tbsp granulated sugar, divided; 2 cups + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; 1 tsp vanilla (optional); Rainbow sprinkles or nonpareils (optional)

Description

These 3-ingredient sugar cookies are buttery, simple, and ready in just 40 minutes—perfect for beginners or baking with kids.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup butter, room temperature

2/3 cup + 3 tbsp granulated sugar, divided

2 cups + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

1 tsp vanilla (optional)

Rainbow sprinkles or nonpareils (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F and line two baking sheets with parchment.

2. Beat butter and 2/3 cup sugar until combined.

3. Add flour (and vanilla if using), blending into smooth dough.

4. Pinch dough to test—soft, buttery, not crumbly.

5. Roll into 1-inch balls, coat in remaining sugar, and place 2 inches apart.

6. Flatten gently with glass, add sprinkles if desired.

7. Bake 14–16 minutes until edges are slightly golden.

8. Cool on sheets 10–15 minutes before transferring to rack.

Notes

Cookies are slightly crunchy but not dry.

If crumbly, knead dough more.

Resting on sheet helps cookies set properly.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Cookies
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 90
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 1mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 14mg