Print

Print Recipe

Super easy sugar cookies made with just 3 pantry ingredients and no eggs. These cookies are buttery, sweet, with a bit of crunch, similar to shortbread. They require no dough chilling, rolling, or cutting and are perfect for beginners and baking with kids.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar (for mixing)
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for rolling)
  • 2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or other flavor extracts (lemon, almond)
  • Optional: sprinkles or nonpareils for topping

Instructions

  1. Soften 1 cup butter to room temperature.
  2. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  3. In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter and 2/3 cup granulated sugar with a handheld mixer until just combined.
  4. Add 2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour and, if using, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; mix until the dough comes together.
  5. Pinch a small piece of dough and press it; if it’s crumbly, knead the dough a little more until soft and cohesive.
  6. Use a 1-inch cookie scoop to portion the dough and roll each portion between your palms until smooth.
  7. Roll each dough ball in the reserved 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and arrange them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  8. Press each dough ball flat with the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to about 1/8–1/4 inch thick (aim for ~3/16 inch). Press sprinkles or nonpareils onto the tops now if desired.
  9. Bake for 14–16 minutes, until the edges and bottoms are a delicate golden color.
  10. Leave cookies on the baking sheet for at least 10–15 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Use a cookie scoop to ensure even-sized cookies for uniform baking., If dough is crumbly, knead gently to achieve a smooth ball; excessive flour or insufficient butter may cause dryness., Flatten dough balls to approximately 3/16 inch thick; cookies will spread during baking., Baking at 325°F helps achieve a gentle bake preserving texture., Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet before transferring to avoid breakage., Enhance flavor with vanilla, lemon zest/extract, almond extract, cinnamon sugar, or cocoa powder variations., You can decorate cooled cookies with royal icing, powdered sugar glaze, or melted chocolate drizzle., Freeze shaped dough balls (not baked cookies) on a tray, then store in sealed bag for up to two months; thaw overnight in fridge before rolling in sugar and baking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookerygood.com/easy-sugar-cookies/