Can I use salted butter for this recipe?

Yes, you can use salted butter. If you do, skip adding extra salt to balance the flavor. The cookies will still turn out delicious and buttery.

Do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Yes, chilling the piped or shaped dough for 30 minutes before baking helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.

Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Absolutely! You can freeze the cookie dough in portions or shaped discs. Just thaw slightly and bake as instructed, adding 1–2 minutes to the bake time.

How long do butter cookies stay fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these butter cookies will stay fresh for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 months.

Can I add flavors like vanilla or lemon zest?

Yes! Feel free to add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or a little lemon or orange zest for extra flavor without altering the texture.

DESSERTS

3-Ingredient Butter Cookies – Easy Recipe

Name: Butter Cookies Recipe – Easy Holiday Dessert Idea
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 24 cookies
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup butter (softened and slightly melting); 1 cup powdered sugar; 2 cups all-purpose flour

by Clara Bennett

14 de July de 2025

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Swirled 3-ingredient butter cookies on a white tray

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Welcome to the Easiest Cookie Recipe Ever!

Butter cookies are the ultimate comfort treat—rich, crumbly, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. I first made these buttery gems with my grandma on a rainy afternoon, when we had nothing but flour, sugar, and butter on hand. The kitchen filled with a warm, nutty aroma as the cookies baked, and biting into one fresh out of the oven felt like a hug in every bite. My signature twist? I cream the butter and powdered sugar until it’s nearly whipped, giving each cookie a dreamy, airy texture. These easy 3-ingredient butter cookies are perfect for summer party, afternoon tea, or whenever you need a quick dessert that delivers classic flavor without fuss. Whether you’re making simple vanilla butter cookies or shaping them into festive swirls, the result is always golden and delicious.

Let’s get baking—your cookie jar is about to get a whole lot happier!

What Makes These 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies Special?

Very Simple There are no eggs and baking powder, or any other ingredients. Just three essential ingredients for your pantry!
Crispy and buttery These cookies are made with an soft crunchy and smooth texture with a delicious buttery taste.
Great for gifts: They store well and are a lovely homemade present.

Flexible: Add chocolate, sprinkles, or nuts to customize them!

Ingredients for 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these butter cookies that are easy to make:

1 c. butter (softened and slightly melting)
1 Cup powdered sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour

Tips: Use high-quality butter to get the best flavor! European butter that has higher fat content will make these cookies more delicious.

Classic butter swirl cookies on a white serving tray — Homemade 3-ingredient butter cookies with a delicate swirl shape

How to Make 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies – Step by Step

Step1: Preheat & Prepare

Pre-heat your oven up to 350degF (175degC).
Place two baking sheets on baking parchment or use a bake mat made of silicone.

Step2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

A large bowl of mixing put in the powdered sugar and butter.

Utilize an electric mixer on the highest beat to beat the mixture for approximately five minutes until the mixture turns soft and fluffy..
It will change to the yellow color to white and will have an creamy texture.

Professional Tip scrape down the side of the bowl frequently to ensure that the mixture is evenly mixed.

Step3: Add the Flour

Lower the speed of mixer until minimal and slowly add the flour..

Mix until you have a soft, dense dough develops.
The dough might appear crumbly initially, but continue mixing until the dough is smooth.

Step4: Pipe or Shape the Cookies

Place the dough in the pipette bag equipped with the big point ( 1/8-inch diameter).

Sprinkle the swirls, or rosettes onto baking sheets and space the swirls or rosettes 1 inch from each other.

Do you have a piping Bag? Roll the dough into small pieces and make them flat with a fork, forming the classic shape of a butter cookie!

Step5: Chill the Dough

Place the tray in the refrigerator for 30 mins.
This can help keep baking cookies that spread when they bake.

Step6: Bake to Perfection

Make one baking tray each at on the middle rack for 15 to 20 minutes.
Cookies are ready when they’re ready when the edges begin to turn a light golden.
Take them out of the oven and allow them sit on the cooling sheet before moving them to an air-tight rack.

Baking Time Tips: Oven temperatures may differ. Check the oven every fifteen minutes to ensure that you don’t overbake.

Helpful Tips for Butter Cookies

Use room-temperature Butter It blends better with sugar to create more smooth dough.
Do not skip chilling This helps keep the shape of the cookie.
To add extra crunch: Bake for an additional 2-minutes to bake until edges have turned golden.
Are you looking for a smoother texture? Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the dough.

Swirled butter cookies cooling on parchment paper — Freshly baked 3-ingredient butter cookies dusted with sugar

Cooking Tips for the Best 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies

Measuring Correctly Flour: Spoon the flour into the measuring cup, then make sure to level it out. Don’t put it into the measuring cup!
Make use of a stand mixer: If you have one, make use of this metal whisk attachment to make a smoother butter-sugar blend.
Different Flavors: Include Vanilla extract or lemon zest or some cinnamon to enhance the flavor!

Serving Suggestions for Butter Cookies

The home-cooked butter biscuits are delicious by mixing:

Milk and a glass for a classic mix
Tea or coffee to have a snack for the afternoon
drizzled with chocolate for a fancy finish
It is packed inside a gift box for a thoughtful home-cooked snack

Nutritional Information

Here’s an estimate for the nutritional value of each cookie (based on 24 cookies):

Calories: 90

Carbohydrates: 10g
Fat: 5g
Protein: 1g

Sugar: 4g

Notice: This may vary according to the butter brand and the size of the portion.

How to Store and Keep Butter Cookies Fresh

Short-Term Storage:

Store inside an airtight container at the room temperature up to up to 7 days..

Freezing Instructions:

Baked Dough Unbaked: Freeze in a sealed bag for 3 to 6 months.

Bakery-fresh cookies: Place them in an airtight container and let them thaw to temperatures at room temperature prior to serving.

Reheating Tip When the cookie begins to begin to lose their crispness then bake them into the oven in a 300degF oven for about 3-5 minutes.

FAQs for 3-Ingredient Butter Cookies

1. Can I make use of salted butter instead unsalted?

Yes! If you are using salt-salted butter remove any additional salt in the recipe.

2. What caused my cookies to expand too much?

This could happen if the butter was too hot. Be it a point not to make sure to chill your dough prior to baking.

3. Can I bake these cookies without gluten?

Yes! You can substitute All-purpose flour with gluten-free flour (1:1 ratio).

4. Do I have to include nuts or chocolate chips?

Absolutely! Mix with half a Cup of chopped chocolate, a handful of nuts or dried fruit to add texture.

Golden butter cookies with a soft swirl pattern — Buttery swirl cookies made from flour, powdered sugar, and butter

Related Recipes for Cookie Lovers 🍪

Are you looking for other simple baked cookies that you can make yourself? Try these:

Try This Easy Butter Cookies Recipe Today!

The process of making butter cookies made from scratch has never been simpler! With only 3 ingredients you’ll get the delicious, buttery, and crispy cookie which is ideal to share. No matter if you like them plain or with a personal twist they’re sure to become a fan favorite.

It’s your turn! Try this recipe and share your thoughts what you think in your comments. Do you have a favorite method of enjoying Butter Cookies? Happy baking!

3-Ingredient Butter Cookies – Easy Recipe

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Author: Jannet Lisa
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x

Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These 3-ingredient butter cookies are soft, rich, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Perfect for holidays, gifting, or a quick treat anytime.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup butter (softened and slightly melting)

1 cup powdered sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer on high for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour. Mix until a soft, dense dough forms. Continue mixing if the dough appears crumbly until it comes together smoothly.
Place the dough in a piping bag fitted with a large tip (about 1/8-inch opening) and pipe swirls or rosettes onto the baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart. Alternatively, roll the dough into small balls and flatten with a fork.

Chill the trays in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to prevent spreading.
Bake one tray at a time on the middle rack for 15–20 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
Remove from the oven and let the cookies sit on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.