The Easiest 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Baking delightful butter cookies with just three simple butter cookies ingredients feels like culinary magic.

These melt-in-your-mouth treats require minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Crisp edges and soft centers define the classic charm of this beloved recipe.

You’ll adore how quickly these cookies come together in your kitchen.

The buttery aroma will drift through your home, tempting everyone nearby.

Each bite promises a delicate, rich experience that connects you to timeless baking traditions.

These cookies are the perfect companion for afternoon tea or a sweet indulgence any time of day.

Why Three Ingredient Butter Cookies Work

• Craft a Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for potlucks, picnics, and gatherings where you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Boost Flavor Versatility: Mix and match ingredients to suit different tastes, making it an adaptable dish that pleases everyone from kids to adults.
• No-Fuss Preparation: Simple steps and minimal cooking required, allowing even beginner cooks to create a delicious meal with confidence.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Delight: Brings exciting Mediterranean flavors with salami, mozzarella, and Italian seasoning, transforming an ordinary pasta salad into a gourmet experience.

What You Need for Butter Cookies

• Butter: A rich, creamy dairy product that provides a smooth texture and delightful flavor to the cookies.
• Powdered Sugar: A fine sugar that helps create a light, tender crumb and adds sweetness to the cookies.
• All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that gives structure and helps bind the cookie dough together.

• Silicone Baking Mat, Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.
• Piping Bag, Large Open Star Tip: Allows for decorative shaping and professional-looking cookie presentation.

• Vanilla Extract, Salt: Small additions that can boost the overall taste and balance the sweetness of the cookies.

Steps for Three Ingredient Butter Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven toasty and ready by heating it to 350F (175C). Grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar to Perfection

Toss softened butter and powdered sugar into a mixing bowl. Whip these ingredients at top speed for about 5 minutes.

Watch the magic happen as the mixture transforms from yellow to a cloud-like white texture. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides and ensure everything gets blended smoothly.

Step 3: Fold in the Flour

• Powdered sugar
• Softened butter
• All-purpose flour

Start mixing at a low speed, then gradually increase. The dough might look crumbly at first, but keep mixing until it becomes a soft, cohesive dough.

Step 4: Shape Your Cookies

Fill a piping bag with a large star tip. Create beautiful swirls or fun shapes on your prepared baking sheets.

Leave about an inch of space between each cookie.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Pop the cookie-laden sheets into the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

This quick chill helps maintain their gorgeous shape during baking.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide one sheet at a time into the middle of the oven.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until the edges turn a delicate golden brown. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-browning.

Step 7: Cool and Preserve

Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, transfer to an airtight container to keep them fresh and crisp.

Notes for Simple Butter Cookie Baking

• Achieve the ideal butter consistency by leaving it at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, ensuring it's soft but not melted for the best creaming results.
• Beat the butter and sugar until the mixture becomes extremely light and fluffy, creating a cloud-like texture that guarantees tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
• Refrigerate piped cookies before baking to maintain their beautiful star-shaped design and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
• Watch cookies closely during the last few minutes of baking, as they can quickly go from perfect golden to overdone – aim for light golden edges and surface.

Twists and Swaps for Butter Cookies

• Gluten-Free Almond Butter Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour for a nutty, gluten-free version that's perfect for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Chocolate-Dipped Butter Cookies: After cooling, dip half of each cookie in melted dark or white chocolate for an elegant, rich touch that elevates the classic recipe.
• Lemon Zest Butter Cookies: Add fresh lemon zest to the dough for a bright, citrusy flavor that cuts through the richness of the butter and creates a refreshing taste experience.
• Spiced Butter Cookies: Incorporate ground cinnamon or cardamom into the flour mixture for a warm, aromatic cookie that's perfect for winter gatherings.

Drinks to Pair With Butter Cookie Bites

• Savor Silky Chocolate Pairing: Melt dark chocolate with 70% cocoa content to complement the buttery, delicate texture of these cookies. Drizzle or dip cookie edges for an elegant touch that elevates the simple treat.
• Brew Rich Espresso Match: Select a robust, freshly ground espresso that provides a bold contrast to the sweet, mellow butter cookie. The intense coffee notes will cut through the richness and create a harmonious flavor experience.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop premium vanilla bean ice cream alongside the cookies for a classic, creamy accompaniment. The cold, smooth texture and pure vanilla flavor perfectly balance the crisp, buttery cookie's warmth and delicate crunch.

Storing Butter Cookies for Future Snacking

• Store butter cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper for up to 1 week. Keep container sealed and place in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
• Pack cooled cookies in freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
• Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Place a piece of bread inside to help maintain moisture and prevent cookies from becoming too dry.
• Warm refrigerated or frozen cookies in the oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes. Alternatively, microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness and bring back original texture.

FAQs

• How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chilling the piped dough for 30 minutes before baking helps maintain the cookie’s shape and prevents excessive spreading.

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce or eliminate any additional salt in the recipe to maintain the right flavor balance.

• Why do I need to cream the butter and sugar for 5 minutes?

Creaming incorporates air, creates a lighter texture, and helps the sugar dissolve completely, resulting in a smoother, more delicate cookie.

• What if I don't have a piping bag?

You can use a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off or simply use a spoon to shape the cookies onto the baking sheet.

3-Ingredient Butter Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Indulgent 3-ingredient butter cookies melt hearts with their simple, rich charm from classic European baking traditions. Crisp, buttery rounds promise delightful moments of sweet comfort you’ll savor with each delicate, crumbly bite.

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Ingredients

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Cookies

• 1 cup (226 grams) butter, softened and slightly melted
• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and lining baking sheets with silicone mat or parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine softened butter and powdered sugar, whipping at maximum speed for approximately 5 minutes until the mixture transforms from yellow to white, achieving a fluffy, whipped cream-like consistency.
3. Gradually introduce flour into the butter mixture, initially mixing at low speed and progressively increasing intensity as ingredients incorporate, transforming the texture from crumbly to a cohesive, soft dough.
4. Load the dough into a piping bag equipped with a large open star tip, creating elegant swirled or decorative shapes spaced roughly 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
5. Refrigerate the piped cookies for 30 minutes to stabilize their structure and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
6. Bake individual sheets centrally positioned in the oven for 15-20 minutes, monitoring until edges and surfaces develop a delicate golden-brown hue.
7. Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring, then preserve in an airtight container to maintain freshness and texture.

Notes

• Ensure butter is softened at room temperature but not melted to achieve the perfect creamy texture that creates light, airy cookies.
• Cream butter and sugar thoroughly for the full 5 minutes to incorporate maximum air, which gives these cookies their delicate, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
• Refrigerating the piped cookies prevents spreading and helps maintain their beautiful star-shaped design during baking.
• Experiment by adding vanilla extract, lemon zest, or rolling cooled cookies in powdered sugar for extra flavor variations.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 146
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 51 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.4 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 21 mg