This 150-Year-Old Cookie Recipe Only Requires 3 Ingredients

Not much of a 'baker'? We get it. Baking can often feel overwhelming, take too much time, and sometimes the results don't seem worth it.

But thanks to Reddit, we've discovered a perfect recipe for all the non-bakers who have ever faced a baking challenge over the past 150 years. This recipe has remained unchanged, simple, and effective for a century and a half. Just three ingredients make it a timeless classic.

This classic recipe was shared by Reddit user nolynskitchen with the note: 'An old family cookie recipe that has been passed down for years. Time to pass it along to you!'

The recipe, said to be 150 years old (or 152, if you count from two years ago), dates back to 1871. It's a simple, English-style recipe with just three ingredients: self-raising flour, brown caster sugar (or light brown sugar), and salted butter.

If you're wondering about the self-raising flour, it's important to know that this 3-in-1 ingredient was developed in the mid-1800s, shortly after the first modern baking powder was patented in 1856. So, everything fits within the timeline.

From the photo provided, the cookies appear to be crackly, crisp, and gently golden—reminiscent of a classic sugar cookie. Without eggs for structure or vanilla for flavor, I wasn't expecting much chewiness. But considering these cookies have survived for 150 years, I knew I had to try them for myself.

We Tried Reddit’s 150-Year-Old Cookie Recipe

I can honestly say this was my first time mixing cookie dough by hand (definitely soften the butter first!) and it instantly transported me to a simpler time—when life moved slower and baked goods were saved for special occasions.

The recipe is in grams and yields 25 cookies, so each one ends up being quite small (under a tablespoon). Surprisingly, you don’t need to press them down with a fork to flatten them—thanks to all the butter, they spread out perfectly. Though, I admit, the fork marks do add a nice touch.

I expected a crisp, crumbly, super sweet cookie, ideal for dipping in coffee, but what I got was totally unexpected—these cookies melted in my mouth. They didn’t brown or crisp up in the oven; they simply turned a soft golden color. They were so tender that they practically sank in the center when picked up. Even the next day, they still had a satisfying chew.

What surprised me most, though, was the flavor. These cookies aren’t overly sweet. Despite lacking vanilla, they had a rich butterscotch taste from the molasses-like brown sugar and the salty butter. The saltiness was so pronounced that it almost gave them a salty-sweet quality.

After trying them, it became clear why this cherished family recipe has been handed down for generations. The 150-year-old treat is full of nostalgia, even if it’s your first time tasting it. It’s a perfectly simple sugar cookie that has the unique power to connect you to a bygone era.

How to Make Reddit’s 150-Year-Old Sugar Cookie Recipe

Courtesy of Nolyns Kitchen

Ingredients:

• 125 grams of salted butter (softened)
• 100 grams of brown caster sugar (light brown sugar)
• 150 grams of self-rising flour

Instructions:

1. Start by gathering all the ingredients.
2. In a large bowl, combine salted butter, brown caster sugar, and self-raising flour. Use your hands to knead the mixture until it forms a smooth dough ball.
3. Place the dough in the fridge (or a cool spot) for 20 minutes to chill.
4. Preheat your oven to 150°C (305°F). Roll the dough into 25 small balls and arrange them on a lined baking sheet.
5. Use a fork to gently press a pattern into each dough ball. Bake for 20 minutes.