Easy 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies – Quick & Buttery Homemade Recipe
Easy 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies are crisp, buttery cookies made with just butter, powdered sugar, and flour. They bake up tender, lightly sweet, and perfect for serving with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.
There is something so comforting about a simple butter cookie. No long ingredient list, no complicated steps, and no extra fuss—just a soft dough that turns into delicate cookies with a rich buttery flavor.
These cookies have that classic melt-in-your-mouth texture with lightly golden edges and a smooth, clean finish. You can slice them into rounds or cut them into fun shapes, which makes them just as nice for everyday baking as they are for holidays and cookie platters.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- You only need 3 pantry-friendly ingredients
- The dough comes together quickly with no complicated steps
- You can make slice-and-bake cookies or cut-out shapes
- The texture is tender, buttery, and lightly crisp
- They store well, so they are great for make-ahead baking
Ingredients
Candy base
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (230 g)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (250 g)
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar (85 g)
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Unsalted butter: Use softened butter, not melted butter, so the dough creams properly and bakes into tender cookies. If you only have salted butter, use it, but the flavor will be slightly saltier.
- All-purpose flour: Stick with regular all-purpose flour for the best texture. Measure it lightly so the cookies do not turn dry.
- Powdered sugar: This gives the cookies a softer, more delicate crumb than granulated sugar. Do not swap it for granulated sugar unless you want a firmer texture.
- Optional add-ins: A splash of vanilla extract or a little lemon zest can be mixed in, but the base recipe works beautifully as written.
How to Make
- Add the softened butter and powdered sugar to a mixing bowl. Beat until the mixture looks pale, creamy, and smooth.
- Add the flour and mix just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Gather the dough together and shape it into a log if you want round slice-and-bake cookies, or flatten it into a disk if you want to roll and cut shapes.
- Wrap the dough and chill until firm enough to handle, about 30 minutes.
- For round cookies, slice the chilled dough into even pieces. For shaped cookies, roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick and cut with cookie cutters.
- Arrange the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms and edges are just lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Expert Tips
- Start with truly softened butter so it creams smoothly with the sugar.
- Mix the flour in just until combined. Overmixing can make the cookies less tender.
- Chill the dough before slicing or cutting shapes so the cookies keep neat edges.
- Roll the dough evenly for consistent baking.
- Watch the cookies closely near the end. They should stay pale with only light golden edges.
- Let them cool before moving them, since butter cookies are delicate when hot.
- Use parchment paper for easier cleanup and even baking.
- For the cleanest sliced rounds, chill the dough log until very firm before cutting.
Storage & Freezing
- Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place parchment between layers if needed.
- To freeze baked cookies, cool them completely and freeze in a sealed container for up to 2 months.
- To freeze the dough, wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then slice or roll and bake as directed.
Variations
- Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract for classic vanilla butter cookies
- Mix in a little lemon or orange zest for a brighter flavor
- Dip half of each cooled cookie in melted chocolate
- Sprinkle the tops with sanding sugar before baking
- Sandwich two cookies together with jam or buttercream
Easy 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies
These buttery cookies are made with just three simple ingredients and bake into tender, lightly crisp cookies with a delicate crumb. Make them as rounds or cut them into fun shapes.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add the softened butter and powdered sugar to a mixing bowl. Beat until pale, creamy, and smooth.
- Add the flour and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Gather the dough together. Shape it into a log for round cookies, or flatten it slightly if you plan to roll and cut shapes.
- Wrap the dough and chill for about 30 minutes, or until firm enough to handle.
- For round cookies, slice the dough into even pieces. For shaped cookies, roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick and cut out shapes.
- Place the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges and bottoms are lightly golden.
- Cool on the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Use softened butter for the smoothest dough.
- Do not overmix once the flour is added.
- Chill the dough well for cleaner shapes and neater slices.
- Bake just until lightly golden for the best tender texture.
- You can add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or a little citrus zest if you want extra flavor.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!FAQs
Can I make these butter cookies ahead of time?
Yes. You can make the dough ahead and keep it chilled for up to 2 days before baking.
Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling firms the butter, makes the dough easier to handle, and helps the cookies hold their shape in the oven.
Can I use cookie cutters with this dough?
Yes. The dough works well for both slice-and-bake rounds and simple cut-out shapes.
How do I know when butter cookies are done?
Look for lightly golden edges and bottoms. The tops should still be pale.
Can I freeze these cookies after baking?
Yes. Once fully cooled, freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Why are my cookies dry?
That usually happens when too much flour is added or the cookies are baked too long. Measure the flour lightly and pull them out once the edges turn lightly golden.
Key Takeaways
- Easy 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies require only butter, powdered sugar, and flour, making them simple to prepare.
- The cookies have a tender, buttery texture and can be made in different shapes, perfect for various occasions.
- Chill the dough for easier handling and better cookie shape during baking.
- These cookies store well and can be frozen for later enjoyment, either baked or as dough.
- Add optional flavorings like vanilla extract or lemon zest to enhance taste variations.
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Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
