Who doesn’t love fresh, homemade cookies? The smell of butter and sugar melting together is pure magic! But sometimes we just don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
That’s where these quick and easy cookie recipes come in handy. Each one creates light, buttery treats without all the fuss.
1. Classic Shortbread Fingers
Three ingredients are all you need: butter, sugar, and flour. Mix them together, press into a pan, and score with a knife before baking.
No chilling required! These melt-in-your-mouth treats are ready in about 25 minutes total. Perfect with afternoon tea or coffee.
2. Lemon Butter Thins
Fresh lemon zest brightens these delicate cookies. The dough comes together in just 5 minutes in a food processor.
Roll into a log, slice, and bake! The tangy-sweet flavor and crisp texture make these irresistible. Dust with powdered sugar for an extra special touch.
3. Whipped Vanilla Clouds
Beat butter until super fluffy before adding other ingredients. This creates the lightest texture imaginable!
A splash of good vanilla extract makes these simple cookies shine. They practically float off the plate and dissolve on your tongue.
4. Brown Sugar Meltaways
Brown sugar gives these cookies a caramel-like flavor that’s absolutely addictive. The dough requires no chilling!
Simply scoop, flatten slightly with a fork, and bake. They spread into perfectly round cookies with crinkly edges.
5. Almond Butter Crescents
Ground almonds add protein and nutty flavor to these elegant cookies. Shape small pieces of dough into crescents with your fingers.
No special equipment needed! They bake quickly and taste even better the next day. A dusting of powdered sugar makes them look like little moons.
6. Five-Minute Peanut Butter Cookies
Got peanut butter? You’re halfway there! These flourless wonders need just 4 ingredients.
Mix peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Roll into balls, press with a fork, and bake. The naturally gluten-free treats are crisp outside, chewy inside.
7. Coconut Butter Drops
Shredded coconut adds tropical flair to these buttery bites. The dough mixes in one bowl with a wooden spoon.
No mixer required! Drop spoonfuls onto your baking sheet and watch them transform. The edges turn golden while the centers stay soft.
8. Cornstarch Shortbread Gems
The secret ingredient? Cornstarch! It makes these cookies incredibly tender and prevents tough texture.
Press dough into a mini muffin tin for perfectly shaped treats. A thumbprint in each center can hold jam or chocolate. These melt-in-your-mouth bites will become your new go-to recipe.
9. Maple Pecan Sandies
Real maple syrup transforms ordinary butter cookies into something special. Chopped pecans add delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
The dough comes together in minutes. Shape into a log, chill briefly while the oven preheats, then slice and bake!
10. Orange Butter Wafers
Fresh orange zest wakes up your taste buds in these paper-thin cookies. The simple dough spreads beautifully in the oven.
Drop tiny spoonfuls far apart on your baking sheet. They’ll transform into lacy, crisp wafers with irresistible citrus aroma. Stack them for an impressive presentation.
11. Cinnamon Sugar Butter Cookies
Warm cinnamon makes everything better! These simple butter cookies get rolled in cinnamon-sugar before baking.
The outsides develop a slight crunch while the centers stay soft. No chilling needed – mix, roll, and bake!
12. Brown Butter Slice-And-Bake
Browning butter takes just 5 extra minutes but adds incredible nutty flavor. Let it cool slightly before mixing your dough.
Shape into a log, wrap, and refrigerate. Whenever cookie cravings strike, slice and bake a few! The dough keeps for days in the fridge or months in the freezer.
13. Jam Thumbprint Butter Cookies
Classic thumbprints never go out of style! This butter-rich dough holds its shape perfectly around your favorite jam.
Roll dough balls, make an indent, and fill with colorful preserves. The jam gets slightly sticky during baking, creating a beautiful jewel-like center.
14. Earl Grey Tea Biscuits
Ground tea leaves infuse these delicate cookies with bergamot flavor. Simply empty a tea bag into your dough!
The tiny flecks create visual interest and surprising taste. These sophisticated treats pair perfectly with afternoon tea. The dough mixes in one bowl and requires no special techniques.
15. Salted Butter Caramel Crisps
Salt enhances sweetness in these addictive cookies. Use salted butter and add a pinch more flaky salt on top before baking.
The edges caramelize beautifully in the oven. These thin, crispy rounds snap satisfyingly when you bite them.
16. Powdered Sugar Snowballs
These buttery rounds get rolled twice in powdered sugar. First when warm from the oven, then again when cool.
The result? A sweet, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s absolutely irresistible! Also called Mexican wedding cookies or Russian tea cakes, these treats require minimal ingredients and effort.
17. Honey Butter Coins
Honey adds natural sweetness and helps these cookies brown beautifully. The simple dough rolls easily into a log.
Chill briefly, then slice into perfect rounds. They bake up golden and fragrant in just 10 minutes!
18. Chocolate-Dipped Butter Fingers
Simple butter cookies become fancy with a quick chocolate dip! Make the easy dough, shape into fingers, and bake.
Once cool, dip halfway in melted chocolate chips. Add sprinkles if you’re feeling festive!