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Quick, easy, and delicious 3 ingredients sugar cookies are ready in minutes. You can’t get easier than that!!
If you love these simple 3 ingredient sugar cookies, you’ll also love our famous recipe for Frosted Sugar Cookies and our Sugar Cookie Bars.
Just a Few Ingredients!
We love Sugar Cookies, and we love when yummy recipes only require a few ingredients.
Put those two together and we ESPECIALLY love yummy cookies that take just a few pantry staples. These 3 ingredient sugar cookies are just that. They are delicious, buttery cookies that call for just butter, sugar, and flour. We decided to add some almond extract because it’s our favorite and for the kids – some sprinkles.
The result was amazing! The cookies were crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and a hit with the whole family!
Made in Minutes!
This 3 ingredient sugar cookie recipe not only requires few ingredients but bakes in minutes! They are an easy favorite.
PREP. Preheat oven to 325°F.
DOUGH. Mix butter and sugar in a medium bowl until combined.
Add flour and almond (if adding) and mix well. You will need to use your hands to make sure it gets combined to form a dough.
SHAPE. Roll into 1-1½ inch balls and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
SPRINKLES. Dip the bottom of a cup into sugar and then press the balls down. If adding sprinkles, add now and lightly push into the top.
BAKE. Bake for 14-16 minutes or until golden on the bottom. Let set for at least 10-15 minutes before eating.
Ingredient Tips
With only a few ingredients in these three ingredients sugar cookies, each one is pretty important for the best texture.
Butter. Use real unsalted butter. The butter needs to be softened, but still cool to the touch. Leaving the butter at room temperature for about 30 minutes should be sufficient.
Sugar. White sugar works best to mirror a sugar cookie, however, you can use brown sugar if desired.
Flour. Use all-purpose flour or gluten-free 1:1 baking flour.
Sprinkles. Top the cookies with sprinkles before baking or add frosting and sprinkles after the cookies have cooled.
Optional ingredient. Add optional 5th and 6th ingredients by adding flavor and toppings. Stir in vanilla extract or almond extract into the mixture.
Baking Tips
We loved these simple ingredient cookies as is! Having said that, we know that frosting just makes cookies better sometimes. If you want to add frosting, we suggest using our favorite Sugar Cookie Frosting.
So good!! You could also make a glaze, which is typically made with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
Dough balls. I like to use a cookie scoop so that I can make even portions and then roll each dough into a smooth ball with my hands, then use the top of a glass to flatten them.
Mixer. I recommend using a stand mixer or hand-held electric mixer to make the dough.
Spacing. Be sure you place the cookies about 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet. This allows room for the cookies to be flattened and possibly spread out a bit without them touching.
Thickness. When you flatten the tops of the cookie dough balls be sure that you make them an even thickness so they bake at the same rate.
Cool cookies. Be sure you allow the cookies to cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet before moving them to a cooling rack.
Storing Info
STORE. Store this easy sugar cookie recipe in an airtight container on the counter for 3-5 days. If you are worried about them drying out, store them with a piece of bread.
FREEZE sugar cookie dough before baking, or freeze the fully baked cookies.
- Dough. Place the dough balls on a pan and freeze. Once solid, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe Ziploc. They can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw, press, and add the sprinkles. (Make sure they don’t get too warm when you thaw them).
- Baked cookies. Allow these best sugar cookies to cool completely before storing them together in a freezer-safe container. They will last for up to 3 months.
Recipe FAQ
Unfortunately, you can’t use this recipe for cut-out cookies. Since it doesn’t have eggs the texture doesn’t bind well when rolled and you risk the cookies falling apart when you try to use a cookie cutter.
A flat top more easily allows you to add jimmies before baking and provides a flatter top if you wish to add frosting. However, these cookies can be baked in a rounded cookie dough ball.
Spreading butter is the culprit. If the butter is too warm before putting the cookie in the oven it will continue to melt and spread. Mix in softened but still cold butter and as an extra precaution, you can chill the dough before baking. Using a butter substitute can affect the taste and texture
For More Easy Cookies, Try:
- No Bake Cookies Recipe
- 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
- Easy Shortbread Cookies
- Funfetti Cookies
- Almond Cookies
- Frosted Sugar Cookies
- Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
3 Ingredient Sugar Cookie Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (may need 1/4 cup more)
- 1 teaspoon almond extract optional
- sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Mix butter and sugar in a medium bowl until combined.
- Add flour and almond (if adding) and mix well. You will need to use your hands to make sure it gets combined to form a dough.
- Roll into 1-1½ inch balls and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Dip the bottom of a cup into sugar and then press the balls down. If adding sprinkles, add now and lightly push into the top.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes or until golden on the bottom. Let set for at least 10-15 minutes before eating.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love it!!!
Thank you so much.. baked this morning and I am so happy about it.
They are the perfect easy cookies in the world.
Horrible recipe. Made the first batch exactly as directed. Same measurements, 1 inch balls, pressed them down with glass and sugar and baked them for 14 minutes. Cookies came out thin as a sheet of glass, not just brown on the edges but brown almost up to the center (burnt), and basically looked like I threw them against the wall and then scraped them off and baked them. I then tried varying the cook time and the amount I pressed the cookies down for the next 3 batches. I tried not pressing them down at all, and pressing them down a little, starting with a 5 minute baking time. Did not burn them for those rounds, but the cookies still came out flat as a coin and looking like I smashed a glass bottle on them when in reality for the 3rd round I didn’t touch them at all after forming into balls. Disappointed, was supposed to bring these to church. Recipe needs fixing
Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the recipe. Thanks for giving it a try!
No portions on how much you need to make any of this…
Can this dough be frozen
I used mixer for mine. However think could do by hand just would take longer and little harder to thoroughly combine. Also I forgot a small final pan and cooked way too long and they turned light brown, but were still good – not like other cookies.
Quick, easy, no eggs, can vary with type of extract- although almond my favorite.
This recipe looks perfect for making with kids. How many cookies does the recipe yield?
It will make about 2 dozen.
Is the dough mixed by hand or mixer?
I typically mix with a hand mixer.
I used mixer for mine. However think could do by hand just would take longer and little harder to thoroughly combine.
So good I wish that I had a million!!! ( I could make a million.)
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed the cookies.
Easy simple
Amazing cookies! The first time I made these they tasted like pure flour so in the next batch I used more sugar. Worked great, thank you for sharing this recipe.
You’re welcome! Glad you were able to modify to the flavor you enjoyed. Thanks for giving the recipe a try!
there okay could be better
Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try.
This recipe is amazing. I tried it according to the recipe first, then added an egg. They both turned out amazing and delicious.
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed the cookies (with and without the egg). 😉
I cant find the mesurments?
1 cup butter softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 cups flour (may need 1/4 cup more)
1 tsp almond extract optional
sprinkles optional
At the very top of the post, there is a button that will “Jump to Recipe” and it’ll take you right to those measurements too. 🙂
How would you go about adding nuts ?
I haven’t tried adding nuts, but you could probably press a few into the top (replacing the sprinkles). You’ll have to let us know how they turn out if you do add the nuts.
Can we use a spoon to combine?
and use granuatedsugar
Yes!
Yes you can. I like to use my hands once I have stirred a bit to really combine everything, but you can certainly use a spoon too.
Does anyone have starting cookies things
These were the worst cookies I’ve ever had!! They didn’t taste like there was any sugar in them. They were extremely doughy and chewy. They went into the trash
Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the cookies. Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try.
Not enough sweetness and too dense
Thanks for your feedback and for giving the recipe a try! 🙂
This recipe is horrible. If you want to ruin your tastebuds and try to make them, at least don’t put any almond anything in it. Please.
We’re sorry to hear you weren’t a fan of this particular recipe. Almond is a flavor that some love and some don’t… you could certainly leave it out or swap it for another extract that you prefer. Thanks for your feedback.
They’re probably good but drove me nuts that you didn’t put any measurements…
Hi Jenn! We do include the measurements in the recipe card. At the top of the post, you can click on “Jump to Recipe” and it’ll take you straight there. Here are the measurements for you for a quick reference as well. 🙂
1 cup butter softened
2/3 cup sugar
2 cups flour (may need 1/4 cup more)
1 tsp almond extract optional
sprinkles optional
it does not say how much of the ingrates there are
These were pretty good, I added an egg and a 2 Tablespoons because they were so dry. I also did lemon extract instead of almond extract. I’m making lemon frosting, too.
All those additions sound delicious! Thanks for sharing!
I followed the recipe with 2 cups of AP flour, 2/3 cup sugar, 1 cup butter, and 1 tsp vanilla. It was overly dry and crumbly. I added 1 egg and they came out perfect. I love finding recipes with few ingredients that I already have in the house! Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks so much for the egg tip! Glad they turned out so well! 🙂
Use this recipe all the time, thanks!
You are so welcome! Thank you for letting me know!
Great recipe thank you! Came out perfect! Can you freeze the dough? And if so are the baking instructions the same once dough thaws?
Thank you! I have not tried freezing this specific recipe. I would need to freeze a couple & see how they turn out.
Is it bad if we use no almond/vanilla extract?
It will need something to replace those, so I would google what good substitutes would be. I haven’t ever left it out.
AP flour or self rise or… Any kind will work?
I don’t usually use self-rise. I stick to all-purpose. I am sure either would work, but not sure how the self-rise ones would turn out.
salted or unsalted butter?
I use unsalted butter when baking. Enjoy!
Loved these! Super easy, yummy delicious, and fun to make!!
Easy to make with kiddos! Would make again. Soft and buttery goodness 👍🏼
Yay! Thanks for letting me know!
What a wonderful, simple way to introduce a future “junior baker” to cookies. Plus, they taste great! Thank you!!!
Wonderfully tasteful,and easy.
So glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!
These were so good! I will definitely make them again. I doubled the recipe for my family though.
Happy to hear that! Thank you!
Good idea i just carmalized the bottom of mine so not sure if i had it right but really sugary
I haven’t baked anything in years until I’ve been staying home with the pandemic. I didn’t have almond extract so I used vanilla. But I ground up some sliced almonds and put them in the dough and then I did the same and MIXed them with sugar to put the cup in to flatten the cookies. I added a couple of sliced almonds on top for garnish. I BAKEd the first batch for 16 minutes but I wasn’t sure they were completely done, so I did the second for 20 minutes, then put the first back in for 5 minutes. Love how easy and quick this recipe is and I can see myself making it again and adding different things into the dough for different FLAVORINGs.
That sounds great! I’m glad you shared what you did! Thank you so much!
This was Very good. But can i add VANILLA extract INSTEAD?
Is the flour plain or self raising?
Just regular all-purpose flour 🙂
Planning on trying this soon! Can I use vanilla extract instead of Almond? Also sprinkles go one before placing in oven? Will this burn them? (New to baking and trying easy recipes out while i am home!)
Yes, I haven’t swapped those personally, but you sure could! And, yes, add them before baking, won’t burn them 🙂
I just made these. So easy and so delicious. I had all the ingredients on hand. Already sent the recipe to both of my daughters. Thanks?
You are welcome! Love when I have everything on hand when I find a recipe. Thank you so much!
Excellent cookie. I ❤ almond . So easy.
Yay!! I am so glad you think so 🙂
my cookies spread out really far, and are falling apart. also took 25 minutes instead of the 14-16. what did i do wrong?
I wish I knew for sure? There are a few different reasons cookies can spread out. I would google that, to see if any of the reasons could be what may have caused yours to do that. I’m sorry, they did. It’s just so hard to know.
TOO SIMPLE!! LOVE IT ??
Glad you think so 😉 Thank you!!
Easiest sugar cookie recipe and delicious! Perfect for a small batch for my grandkids! Thank you!
You are so welcome! That’s why I love it, too! Thank you!
A very simple cookie that takes No effort but produces great resUlts!
I dont like making sugar cookies because they are always So involved, but these were Quick and easy.
Is that 170 cal per one cookie?
My kids love these cookies! We’ve used your recipe so manty times and it always turns out perfect!
Love this!! This is so simple and the girls loved helping me make them.
loved it
Glad you did! Thank you!!
I haven’t baked in a while, getting ready for some Xmas baking..(excited 😁) tried this recipe..it was very easy to follow.. I think my 1st batch i rolled the ball to big. Ut in all they tasted yummy…
I am excited for the holiday baking, too! Thank you for sharing that!
Can it be I can’t believe it’s not butter?
That should be ok 🙂
These are the easiest cookies & taste so good!! Love that they are ingredients I always have on hand!
Fantastic! Like a combination of sugar cookie and short bread. What could be better….. for high altitude baking bread to add a couple tablespoons of water for a better dough. Other than that…perfect!!!!
Thank you for sharing that 🙂
I am so sorry they did not work out. I wish I could tell you the reason. Thank you for trying them!