Oh, the smell of Christmas baking! It just fills the whole house with that warm, snuggly feeling, doesn’t it? For me, nothing screams ‘holiday magic’ quite like a batch of these Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies. Honestly, I’ve been whipping these up for years, especially when the holiday season gets a bit hectic. They’re seriously a lifesaver! You just grab a few things from your pantry, and *poof*, you’ve got delicious, melt-in-your-mouth cookies ready for Santa or for sharing. It reminds me of when I was a kid, trying to “help” my mom in the kitchen, and these were the first cookies we ever made together that actually turned out perfectly!
Why You’ll Love These Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies
Seriously, where do I even start? These cookies are a total lifesaver during the busy holiday season. They come together in a flash, meaning less time stressing in the kitchen and more time enjoying every cozy moment.
- Super Fast: Ready from start to finish in under 30 minutes!
- Minimal Ingredients: Just three pantry staples – so easy!
- Deliciously Simple: They taste like a classic butter cookie, perfect for any palate.
- Kid-Friendly Fun: Perfect for little helpers or beginner bakers.
Gather Your Simple Ingredients for Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies
So, the absolute best part about these Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies? You probably already have everything you need in your kitchen right now! We’re talking just three magical ingredients that transform into little bites of holiday heaven. You’ll need one cup of butter, make sure it’s softened – that’s key, trust me! Then, we’ve got a quarter cup of powdered sugar, which gives them that lovely delicate sweetness. And finally, two cups of all-purpose flour. That’s it! If you’re feeling a bit fancy or want a hint more flavor, my grandmother always added a tiny splash of vanilla extract, about a teaspoon, but it’s totally optional!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies
Alright, let’s get baking! Making these Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies is so straightforward, it’s almost like magic. First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (that’s 175°C). Then, grab a baking sheet and get it ready – I like to line mine with parchment paper just to be safe, but you can grease and flour it too if you prefer. It just makes cleanup a breeze and I never have to worry about sticking, which is a lifesaver when you’re baking things like chocolate chip cookies or even homemade donuts. Now, let’s get to mixing!
Creaming the Butter and Sugar
This is where the magic begins! Take your softened butter (make sure it’s really soft, not melted!) and toss it into a mixing bowl with your powdered sugar. Start mixing them together. It doesn’t have to be fancy; a wooden spoon or a hand mixer works great. You want it to get nice and smooth and creamy, like a pale, fluffy cloud.
Forming the Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies Dough
Now, it’s time for the flour. Add the two cups of all-purpose flour gradually to your butter and sugar mixture. Mix it all together until it just forms a nice, soft dough. Be careful not to overmix here; we don’t want tough cookies! Just mix until everything is combined and you can form a ball of dough. It should feel lovely and soft in your hands, perfect for these Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies.
Shaping and Baking Your Holiday Treats
Once your dough is ready, take little pieces and roll them into balls, about an inch or so in size. Pop these little dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet, giving them a little space between each one. They don’t spread a ton, but you want to make sure they have room to bake evenly. Pop them into your preheated oven for about 10 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for them to be just lightly golden around the edges. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Cooling and Decorating Your Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies
This is the hardest part – waiting! Once they’re baked, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Seriously, I’ve tried decorating them too soon and it’s a sticky mess! Once they’re totally cool, that’s when the fun decorating can begin. You can whip up a simple glaze using some powdered sugar and milk, or just roll them in some extra powdered sugar for that classic snowy look. My kids love using sprinkles, and you can even try a drizzle of melted chocolate. If you’re feeling creative, a bit of jam in the center makes them look almost like little thumbprints!
Tips for Perfect Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies
Okay, so these Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies are pretty fool-proof, but a few little tricks from my kitchen can make them absolutely perfect every time. First off, pay attention to that butter temperature! It really needs to be softened, not melted or rock hard. Softened butter creams beautifully with the powdered sugar, creating those little air pockets that make the cookies tender. If your dough feels a bit too crumbly when you’re forming the balls, just give it a gentle squeeze; it usually comes together. And remember, every oven is a little different, so peek at your cookies around the 10-minute mark. You want them lightly golden, not brown! Trust me, these little techniques will ensure your Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies are always a hit, just like how a little extra care makes even a simple chocolate chip cookie taste amazing.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Cookies
Okay, let’s chat about these few little ingredients we’re using! The butter is really the star here, giving these cookies their tender, melt-in-your-mouth quality. You can absolutely use salted butter if that’s what you have on hand, just know you might not need any extra salt if you decide to add it later. Unsalted is generally preferred so you can control the saltiness, but honestly, for this simple trio, it’s not super critical. As for flour, all-purpose is perfect. I haven’t really experimented with almond flour or anything like that because, well, we’re keeping it to three core things! And the powdered sugar? It’s what gives them that lovely light sweetness and slightly crisp edge without being too sugary.
Frequently Asked Questions about Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies
Got questions about these super simple holiday treats? I’ve got you covered! These Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies are honestly a lifesaver, but it’s always good to know a few extra tips and tricks.
Can I freeze the dough for these cookies?
Oh, absolutely! You can totally freeze the dough for these cookies. Just wrap it up nice and tight in plastic wrap and pop it in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, just thaw it overnight in the fridge, and it’s good to go!
What if my dough is too crumbly?
If your dough feels a bit too dry or crumbly, don’t worry! It happens sometimes. Most likely, your butter was a little too cold or maybe your flour measurement was a smidge off. Just use your hands to gently knead it together for a minute or two. It usually comes together perfectly. Avoid adding extra liquid if you can!
How long do these Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies last?
These delightful Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3-4 days. They’re so simple, they tend to disappear pretty quickly around here anyway!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, these numbers are an estimate for one cookie, based on the standard ingredients we used! Things can vary a tiny bit depending on your butter and the exact brands you grab. But roughly, you’re looking at around 100 calories, 6g of fat (about 4g saturated), 11g of carbs, and 5g of sugar per cookie. It’s pretty neat how much flavor you get with just those three simple things!
Share Your Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies Creations!
I just *adore* seeing your creations! Have you whipped up a batch of these fantastic Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies? I’d love to hear all about it! Drop a comment below and tell me how they turned out, or even leave a rating if you feel so inclined. And please, pretty please, share your cookie pics on social media – you can tag me or use the hashtag so I can see your beautiful holiday baking! If you have any extra tips or want to share your own cookie traditions, I’m all ears! You can also reach out to me directly through my contact page if you have any specific questions or just want to say hi!
Print
Easy 3-Ingredient Christmas Cookies
- Total Time: 22 min
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Simple Christmas cookies made with just three ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Gradually add the flour and mix until a dough forms.
- Roll the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- Let cool completely before decorating if desired.
Notes
- You can add vanilla extract for extra flavor.
- Decorate with frosting or sprinkles after cooling.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, easy cookies, 3-ingredient cookies, holiday baking, simple dessert