Are you craving something sweet but only have a limited set of ingredients on hand? Look no further than your pantry staples of flour, sugar, and butter! With just these three simple ingredients, you can create a variety of delicious baked goods that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Basic Ingredients
Flour, sugar, and butter are the foundation of many baked goods. Each of these ingredients plays a crucial role in the structure, flavor, and texture of your baked goods. Flour provides the structure, sugar adds sweetness, and butter adds richness and flavor. Together, these ingredients can create an endless array of baked goods.
Classic Sugar Cookies
One of the simplest and most popular baked goods that you can make with flour, sugar, and butter are classic sugar cookies. These cookies are perfect for any occasion and are easy to customize with different flavors and decorations.
To make sugar cookies, you will need:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Flatten the balls with a fork and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Shortbread Cookies
Another classic and easy-to-make cookie that you can make with flour, sugar, and butter are shortbread cookies. These cookies are buttery, crumbly, and perfect for dipping in tea or coffee.
To make shortbread cookies, you will need:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about ½ inch. Cut the dough into desired shapes using a cookie cutter or knife. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and prick the surface of each cookie with a fork. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Scones
Scones are a classic British baked good that are perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea. These tender and flaky pastries are made with flour
To make scones, you will need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
First, preheat your oven to 400°F. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla extract. Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until a dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until it comes together.
Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1 inch and cut it into desired shapes using a biscuit cutter or knife. Place the scones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush the tops with a little milk. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Serve warm with jam and whipped cream.
Biscuits
Biscuits are a classic Southern staple that are perfect for breakfast or as a side dish with dinner. These tender and flaky pastries are made with flour, sugar, and butter and are easy to make.
To make biscuits, you will need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 3/4 cup whole milk
First, preheat your oven to 450°F. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Gradually pour the milk into the dry ingredients, stirring until a dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently until it comes together.
Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/2 inch and cut it into desired shapes using a biscuit cutter or knife. Place the biscuits on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden. Serve warm with butter or jam.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate chip cookies are a classic favorite that are loved by everyone. With just flour, sugar, and butter, you can create the perfect chocolate chip cookie that is soft and chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
To make chocolate chip cookies, you will need:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
First, preheat your oven to 375°F. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. Fold in the chocolate chips. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pound Cake
Pound cake is a classic dessert that is rich and buttery, with a dense crumb and a slightly crusty exterior. It’s made with just four simple ingredients: flour, sugar, butter, and eggs.
To make pound cake, you will need:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 5 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×5 inch loaf pan. In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the flour to the mixture, mixing until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
FAQs
Yes, you can substitute with whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour, but the texture and taste may be slightly different.
Yes, but you may want to adjust the amount of salt in the recipe accordingly.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, or in the freezer for longer storage.
Yes, you can add your favorite nuts or dried fruit to these recipes for extra flavor and texture.
Yes, you can use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer for these recipes, but it may take a little longer to mix the ingredients.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many delicious baked goods that you can make with just flour, sugar, and butter. From scones and biscuits to chocolate chip cookies and pound cake, there’s something for everyone. So next time you’re in the mood to bake, try one of these easy and delicious recipes.