If you love simple yet delicious treats, these 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies are the perfect choice. With just a few ingredients, you can create cookies that are buttery, crumbly, and irresistibly melt-in-your-mouth. Whether you're baking for a special occasion or just craving something sweet, these cookies are the answer!
Ingredients
1 cup (230g) Butter, softened
2 cups (250g) Flour
⅔ cup (85g) Powdered sugar
Optional Additions:
Vanilla extract
Salt
Sugar for coating
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Preheat Oven: Start by heating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the flour into the mixture, stirring until the dough forms a smooth consistency. If the dough feels too soft to shape, you can add 2-3 extra tablespoons of flour to firm it up.
Shape Cookies: There are two ways I love to shape these cookies:
Disk Form: Flatten the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill it in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Afterward, roll it out to about ¼-inch thickness and use cookie cutters to create fun shapes.
Log Shape: Roll the dough into a log, wrap it tightly in plastic, and freeze for 30 minutes. Slice the log into ¼-inch rounds for perfectly round cookies.
Bake Cookies: Place the shaped cookies onto your prepared baking tray. Bake them in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.
Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once they’re cool, they’re ready to be enjoyed!
Servings and Timing
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 12-15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 20 cookies
Variations
Vanilla Flavor: I love adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough to give these cookies an extra depth of flavor.
Salted Butter: If I’m feeling adventurous, I might use salted butter instead of unsalted for a sweet and savory twist.
Coating Sugar: After baking, I sometimes roll the cookies in sugar while they’re still warm for a little extra sweetness and sparkle.
Storage/Reheating
These butter cookies store really well. I usually keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If I want them to last longer, I’ll freeze them. Simply place the cookies in a freezer-safe bag, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 2 months. When I’m ready to enjoy them, I let them thaw at room temperature for a few minutes, and they taste just as delicious as the day I baked them!
FAQs
How do I make the dough firmer if it's too soft?
If your dough is too soft to shape, simply add 2-3 extra tablespoons of flour to firm it up. This will help it hold its shape during baking.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes! I love freezing the dough in a log shape for easy slicing. Just wrap it in plastic wrap, freeze for about 30 minutes, then slice and bake when you're ready.
Can I add chocolate chips or other mix-ins to this recipe?
Absolutely! If I want to get creative, I can stir in chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to add some texture and flavor to these cookies.
How can I make these cookies more flavorful?
For added flavor, I sometimes mix in a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. You can also coat the cookies in sugar for a sparkling finish.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, this recipe is easy to double or even triple if I’m baking for a crowd. Just make sure I have enough space on my baking trays and enough time to bake the cookies in batches if needed.
Conclusion
These 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies are a perfect example of how simple ingredients can create something truly special. Whether you’re a beginner baker or an experienced pro, I’m sure you’ll enjoy making and eating these buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies. With their quick preparation and minimal effort, these cookies are sure to become one of my favorite go-to recipe.
Recipe:
Butter Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies are melt-in-your-mouth treats that are buttery, crumbly, and incredibly easy to make. With just three ingredients, this classic butter cookie recipe is perfect for quick baking, holiday treats, or anytime you crave something sweet and simple.
Ingredients
1 cup (230g) butter, softened
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
⅔ cup (85g) powdered sugar
Optional Additions:
1 tsp vanilla extract (for extra flavor)
Pinch of salt (to balance sweetness)
Granulated sugar (for coating after baking)
Instructions
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Preheat Oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
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Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
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Add Flour: Gradually mix in the flour until a smooth dough forms. Add 2-3 tablespoon extra flour if dough is too soft.
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Shape the Cookies:
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Option 1 (Cut-outs): Form dough into a disk, chill for 1 hour, roll out, and use cookie cutters.
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Option 2 (Slice and Bake): Roll dough into a log, freeze for 30 minutes, then slice into ¼-inch rounds.
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Bake: Place cookies on the baking tray and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until edges begin to turn golden.
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Cool and Enjoy: Let cool on tray for 2–3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Enjoy once fully cooled.
Notes
For extra flavor, add vanilla extract or a pinch of salt.
Roll warm cookies in sugar for a sweet sparkle.
You can add chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits if desired.
Dough can be frozen and sliced later for easy batch baking.
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 20 cookies
- Calories: 150 kcal
