These 3 ingredient sugar cookies are a super easy, low carb treat that hits all the right notes. Made with coconut flour, the outside has a nice crunch, while the inside stays soft and buttery—perfect for when you want a sweet snack without too many steps or ingredients. You can enjoy them as they are or get creative with toppings like sugar-free frosting or sprinkles. They’re great as an everyday dessert or even adding to your holiday cookie lineup!
3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies Recipe
When I first created the keto version of 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies and 3 ingredient chocolate cookies, I loved how simple and delicious they turned out. So naturally, I thought, why not make a sugar cookie version—especially for the holidays? I wanted to create something quick, easy, and just as satisfying as the traditional sugar cookies we all love but with a low carb twist.
I experimented with a few different sweeteners to get the texture and sweetness just right. After testing with three types, Lakanto’s baking sweetener made with monk fruit came out on top. It gave the cookies the best texture without making them too dry. Of course, you can swap in any sweetener that works for your lifestyle, but I really enjoyed the subtle sweetness and soft texture Lakanto delivered in this recipe.
To make these cookies even more festive, I was lucky enough to receive some sugar-free sprinkles from Good Dee’s, and I knew they’d be the perfect finishing touch. When I sprinkled them on, it was almost like I had regular sugar cookies in front of me—the look, the taste, everything. It was so close to the real deal, it was crazy! These cookies are definitely going to be a holiday favorite in my house.
The 3 Ingredients For This Sugar Cookie Recipe
Yes, just 3 simple ingredients. If you don’t have these exact ones on hand, feel free to get creative and make it fit your lifestyle.
- Coconut Flour – Gives these cookies their perfect balance of crunch and softness. It’s much more absorbent than other flours, so you only need a small amount, but it does an amazing job at holding everything together. If you’re not a fan of coconut flour or don’t have it on hand, almond flour could be a potential substitute, though keep in mind you’ll need 4x the amount. Other substitutes could be protein powder or other nut-based flours. Remember! Use a food scale to weigh your coconut flour. Don’t just scoop and level. 1 tablespoon = 7 grams.
- Butter – Brings richness and that classic buttery flavor to these cookies. It also helps the dough hold together and adds that delightful crispness on the outside while keeping the inside soft. If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, you could try using ghee or a plant-based butter substitute, but make sure it’s one designed for baking, as it will need to solidify when chilled. I use either grass-fed or grass-finished unsalted butter in most of my recipes that call for butter. It tastes better, has better color, and it has numerous health benefits. Feel free to use whatever butter fits in your lifestyle. Room temperature or slightly warmed in the microwave softened butter will do best here.
- Sugar-Free Baking Sweetener – Gives that classic sugar cookie taste, without the carbs. I tried a few different ones, but Lakanto’s baking sweetener with Monk fruit was hands down the best—it gave the cookies just the right amount of sweetness and softer non-crumbly texture. That being said, you can use whatever sweetener you prefer, whether it’s allulose, erythritol, or a blend. Just keep in mind that different sweeteners may affect the final taste or texture slightly.
How To Make 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
Steps: Cream → Sift → Mix → Chill → Slice → Bake → Cool
- Cream together room temperature butter and sweetener in a medium bowl until light and fluffy.
- Use an electric mixer on high (or stand mixer) to beat about 2-3 minutes until it has almost doubled in volume.
- Scrap the sides at least once and continue mixing until it looks like this.
- Sift the coconut flour to avoid lumps and bumps in the dough.
- Mix with a spatula until a dough forms. It will be slightly wet and sticky.
- Place dough on a piece of parchment paper.
- Wrap parchment paper around the dough and roll into a log shape. You can use a straight edge butted up against the rolled parchment paper to help achieve the perfect shape. If too sticky, add a very small amount coconut flour or sweetener to make it easier to work with.
- Chill in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes or overnight, then slice into coin shapes. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then bake for 10-12 minutes at 325 °F (163°C).
Allow to cool completely on a wire cooling rack until crisp edges, then (here’s the best part!) dress up with your favorite toppings!
FAQs for 3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
- Can I use almond flour instead of coconut flour in this recipe? Yes, you can substitute almond flour for coconut flour, but keep in mind that almond flour will create a softer, more chewy texture. If you’re aiming for crunchy cookies like the original recipe, you may need to adjust the amount of flour to maintain the dough’s consistency.
- Can I add vanilla extract or almond extract to these 3 ingredient sugar cookies? Absolutely! Adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract or almond extract will enhance the flavor of these easy sugar cookies without altering the texture. This simple step can take these cookies from good to great!
- How should I store these cookies to keep them fresh? For best results, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. This will keep them fresh and maintain their crunchy outside and soft inside. If you want to store them longer, they can be frozen in an air-tight container.
- Can I use cookie cutters with this recipe? Because the dough for these 3 ingredient sugar cookies is a bit more delicate, it may not hold up well with cookie cutters. If you want cut-out cookies, I recommend adding a whole egg and leaveners like baking powder to the dough for more structure, or opting for a different sugar cookie dough recipe.
- Can I add chocolate chips or holiday sprinkles to these cookies? Yes, feel free to mix in sugar-free chocolate chips or top the cookies with holiday sprinkles before baking. I used sugar-free sprinkles from Good Dee’s in my first batch, and they added a fun, festive touch.
- What can I do to make these cookies softer? If you prefer softer cookies, you can slightly reduce the baking time or try rolling the dough into smaller dough balls for a softer inside. You can also experiment with adding a whole egg and leaveners like baking powder for a more tender, chewy cookie texture.
- How can I make these cookies for special occasions like holidays? These cookies are perfect for any time of year, especially for holiday baking. You can also use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough evenly (don’t forget to chill), and decorate them with royal icing, holiday sprinkles, or even a bit of lemon zest for a festive twist.
- What’s the best way to measure the coconut flour? For best results, use a digital scale to measure your ingredients precisely. If you don’t have one, spoon it into a measuring cup and level off the coconut flour to avoid overpacking.
- Can I make these cookies without butter? Real butter gives these cookies their signature buttery flavor, but if you need a dairy-free option, you can substitute ghee or a plant-based butter. Just be sure the substitute is suitable for baking to maintain that crispy outside and soft inside.
- Do I need to chill the dough before baking? Yes, chilling the sugar cookie dough is important to help it firm up. This simple step will make it easier to slice into cookies and helps them hold their shape while baking.
PIN FOR LATER!
If you enjoyed this recipe, check out these:
- 3 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies With No Eggs
- Keto Toasted Almond Cookies
- 8 Keto Cookie Recipes Perfect For Holidays
- Frozen Cottage Cheese Bark (High Protein, Low Carb, & Keto)
Check out the printable recipe card below for my notes, estimated nutrition, where to find ingredients, and step-by-step video included.
3 Ingredient Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoon coconut flour (Note 1)
- 6 tablespoon butter (Note 2)
- 4 tablespoon sugar-free baking sweetener (Note 3)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 °F (163°C).
- Cream together butter and sweetener about 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. (Note 4)
- Sift in coconut flour. Mix until dough forms. (Note 5)
- Place the dough on a sheet of parchment paper. Shape into a log. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or overnight. (Note 6)
- Slice log into 12 equal coin shapes. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet. (Note 7)
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown around the edges.
- Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to wire baking rack to cool completely. Top with sugar-free sprinkles or icing. (Note 8)
Kimberley skinner
Kimberley skinner
Olivia Wyles
Thank you for rating! I hope you enjoyed it.
Debbie
This is a super easy recipe and I love how the cookies came out like shortbread. Delicious alone or with keto mousse and berries!
Olivia Wyles
Yay! Thank you for trying and rating this recipe.
Olivia Wyles
I absolutely loved this recipe. The taste, the texture, it was like a real sugar cookie. I shared with my family and they agreed!