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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.

3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies covered in sprinkles and piled on a white plate.
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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!

Dough for 3 ingredient sugar cookies in mixer.

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.

Cookie dough balls placed on a lined baking sheet.

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.

Pressing cookie dough balls down with a glass cup.

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.

Pressed sugar cookies topped with sprinkles.

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.
3 Ingredient Sugar Cookie Recipe piled on a white plate.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use cookie cut-outs on 3 ingredients sugar cookies?

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.

Do I have to flatten 3 ingredient sugar cookies?

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.

Why are my 3 ingredient sugar cookies thin and flat?

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:

4.81 from 72 votes

3 Ingredient Sugar Cookie Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
Quick, easy, and delicious 3 ingredients sugar cookies are ready in minutes. You can't get easier than that!!
Servings: 18
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 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.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 90mg, Potassium: 18mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 315IU, Calcium: 5mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

So Easy & So Yummy

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4.81 from 72 votes (35 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




94 Comments

  1. Margaret says:

    my cookies spread out really far, and are falling apart. also took 25 minutes instead of the 14-16. what did i do wrong?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      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.

  2. VIVIAN says:

    5 stars
    TOO SIMPLE!! LOVE IT ??

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Glad you think so 😉 Thank you!!

  3. Lisa e says:

    5 stars
    Easiest sugar cookie recipe and delicious! Perfect for a small batch for my grandkids! Thank you!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      You are so welcome! That’s why I love it, too! Thank you!

  4. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    A very simple cookie that takes No effort but produces great resUlts!

  5. Kristi says:

    5 stars
    I dont like making sugar cookies because they are always So involved, but these were Quick and easy.

  6. Sandra Yates says:

    5 stars
    Is that 170 cal per one cookie?

  7. Melissa says:

    5 stars
    My kids love these cookies! We’ve used your recipe so manty times and it always turns out perfect!

  8. Julie Blanner says:

    5 stars
    Love this!! This is so simple and the girls loved helping me make them.

    1. love it my class enjoyed this sweet to beat lovely treat! says:

      5 stars
      loved it

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        Glad you did! Thank you!!

    2. Amy HAGER says:

      5 stars
      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…

      1. Kristyn Merkley says:

        I am excited for the holiday baking, too! Thank you for sharing that!

      2. Sydney says:

        Can it be I can’t believe it’s not butter?

      3. Kristyn Merkley says:

        That should be ok 🙂

  9. Joy says:

    5 stars
    These are the easiest cookies & taste so good!! Love that they are ingredients I always have on hand!

  10. Inger Knudson says:

    5 stars
    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!!!!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Thank you for sharing that 🙂