Easy 3-Ingredient Brown Sugar Cookies – Chewy & Delicious
Sometimes the best cookies aren’t loaded with ingredients or complicated steps—they’re the ones that come together in minutes and taste like pure comfort. These Easy 3-Ingredient Brown Sugar Cookies are proof that simplicity can be incredibly delicious.
With just butter, brown sugar, and an egg, these cookies bake up soft, chewy, and deeply caramelized with rich molasses flavor. No flour. No baking powder. No chilling. Just mix, scoop, and bake.
They’re perfect for last-minute cravings, beginner bakers, or anyone who loves old-fashioned, chewy cookies without the fuss.
Why These Cookies Work with Only 3 Ingredients
Each ingredient plays a powerful role:
- Brown sugar provides sweetness, moisture, and that signature chewy texture thanks to its molasses content.
- Butter adds richness and helps the cookies spread just enough.
- Egg binds everything together and gives structure without flour.
Together, they create cookies that are crisp on the edges, soft in the middle, and irresistibly chewy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
Optional for topping: flaky sea salt or extra brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream softened butter and brown sugar until smooth and glossy.
- Add the egg and mix until fully incorporated and thick.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
- Gently flatten each cookie slightly with the back of a spoon.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and centers look soft.
- Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Easy 3-Ingredient Brown Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheet.
- Cream butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- Mix in egg until thick and glossy.
- Scoop dough onto baking sheet and flatten slightly.
- Bake 10–12 minutes and cool before serving.
Notes
Texture Tips for Perfect Chewy Cookies
- Do not overbake. They firm up as they cool.
- Use dark brown sugar for deeper flavor and extra chew.
- Softened butter (not melted) gives the best texture.
- Slight underbake = maximum chew.
Flavor Variations (Still 3 Ingredients!)
You can keep the ingredient count at three while switching things up:
- Vanilla Brown Sugar Cookies: Use vanilla sugar instead of regular brown sugar.
- Salted Brown Sugar Cookies: Sprinkle flaky salt on top before baking.
- Maple Brown Sugar Cookies: Use maple sugar in place of brown sugar.
- Spiced Cookies: Use spiced brown sugar blends if available.
Why Brown Sugar Makes Better Chewy Cookies
Brown sugar contains molasses, which adds moisture and acidity. That moisture keeps cookies soft, while the acidity helps with structure—especially important in flourless cookies like these. The result? A cookie that stays chewy for days.
Serving Ideas
These cookies are incredibly versatile:
- Serve warm with milk
- Sandwich with ice cream
- Pair with coffee or tea
- Add to dessert boards
- Pack for lunchbox treats
They’re also excellent as a base for toppings like melted chocolate drizzle or chopped nuts—if you don’t mind going beyond three ingredients.
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Refrigerate dough up to 24 hours if needed.
- Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months.
Why Minimal-Ingredient Cookies Are So Popular
Less measuring, less cleanup, fewer mistakes—and faster satisfaction. Recipes like this shine because they focus on technique and ingredient quality rather than long lists. These cookies are perfect proof that baking doesn’t need to be complicated to be deeply satisfying.
Final Thoughts
Easy 3-Ingredient Brown Sugar Cookies are chewy, rich, and endlessly comforting. They’re the kind of recipe you’ll memorize after one bake—and come back to every time you want something sweet, fast, and foolproof. Simple ingredients. Big flavor. Zero stress.
