3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

There’s something truly comforting about discovering a recipe that feels like a hug wrapped in sweetness. Just the other day, while flipping through my worn stack of family recipe cards, I uncovered this 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies treasure nestled between Grandma’s apple pie and my aunt’s beloved chocolate chip cookies. Its simplicity stopped me in my tracks only three everyday ingredients that somehow transform into the softest, most irresistible cookies you’ll ever bite into.

I still remember baking these with my little girl when she had to stand on her tiptoes to see the bowl. She was amazed that cookies could come together with just peanut butter, sugar, and an egg. “Really, that’s all?” she giggled, eyes sparkling with disbelief. Yes, darling. Sometimes life’s sweetest joys are also the simplest ones.

This recipe holds a special place in my heart because it proves you don’t need shelves full of ingredients to make something unforgettable. These cookies taste like cozy afternoons and after-school treats, and the heavenly aroma that drifts through your kitchen will have everyone asking the same question: “Are they ready yet?”

Why You’ll Love This 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Trust me when I say these simple peanut butter cookies will become your new go-to treat. First, they’re incredibly forgiving – perfect for new bakers or busy parents who need something quick and reliable. You can make this with kids without worrying about complicated measurements or techniques.

Most importantly, these cookies deliver on flavor in the most unexpected way. The easy peanut butter cookies have this wonderful chewy texture with slightly crispy edges that’ll remind you why peanut butter cookies are a classic. They’re not fancy, but they’re full of love.

Because there are only three ingredients, each one really shines through. You’ll taste the rich, nutty peanut butter in every bite, balanced perfectly with just enough sweetness. Plus, they’re ready in under 20 minutes from start to finish perfect for those moments when you need homemade cookies right now.

What You’ll Need

The beauty of this 3 ingredient cookies lies in its simplicity. I always reach for creamy peanut butter the kind that’s smooth and spreadable. You don’t need anything fancy here; your favorite grocery store brand works beautifully. The oils in the peanut butter help create that tender texture we’re after.

• Creamy peanut butter – This is your flavor foundation and provides the structure for these cookies
• Granulated sugar – Creates sweetness and helps with that perfect chewy texture
• Large egg – Acts as your binding agent, bringing everything together into cookie magic

If you only have crunchy peanut butter on hand, go ahead and use it! The little bits of peanuts add a lovely texture. For those watching sugar intake, you can substitute with coconut sugar, though the cookies will have a slightly different flavor profile.

Let’s Make 3 ingredient cookies

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup so much easier trust me on this one.

1. Mix the peanut butter, sugar, and egg in a large bowl using an electric mixer or sturdy spatula. Don’t worry if it looks a bit strange at first – keep mixing until it becomes creamy and smooth. You’ll know it’s ready when everything comes together into a cohesive dough.
2. Scoop the cookie dough into balls about the size of a tablespoon. I like using a small cookie scoop for consistency, but your hands work just fine too. Place them on your prepared baking sheet.
3. Flatten each ball with the back of a fork, creating that classic criss-cross pattern. These cookies don’t spread much in the oven, so you can place them fairly close together.
4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges are slightly golden. Don’t over-bake – they’ll continue cooking on the hot pan. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Serving Suggestions

These homemade peanut butter 3 ingredient cookies are perfect on their own with a cold glass of milk, but they’re also wonderful crumbled over vanilla ice cream for an impromptu dessert. During the holidays, I love packaging them in mason jars tied with ribbon – they make the sweetest gifts.

For special occasions, try sandwiching two cookies together with a dollop of your favorite jam or a smear of chocolate frosting. The combination of peanut butter and grape jelly takes me right back to childhood lunch boxes.

Make It Your Own

The wonderful thing about this basic peanut butter cookies recipe is how adaptable it is. For chocolate lovers, fold in a handful of mini chocolate chips before baking. The chips won’t change the structure, but they’ll add delightful pockets of sweetness.

• Add a pinch of sea salt on top before baking for salted peanut butter cookies
• Roll the dough balls in cinnamon sugar for a warm spice note
• Press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center while they’re still warm
• Drizzle with melted chocolate once cooled for an elegant touch

3 ingredient cookies : Kitchen Tips & Tricks

The biggest mistake I see people make is over-baking these delicate cookies. They should still look slightly underdone when you take them out those edges will be just barely golden. Remember, they’ll continue cooking on the hot pan.

If your dough seems too sticky to handle, pop it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Sometimes peanut butter can vary in consistency, and a little chill time makes all the difference. Don’t worry if this happens I’ve been there too!

For the most even cookies, try to make your dough balls roughly the same size. This ensures they all bake at the same rate, giving you consistently perfect results every time.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

These quick peanut butter cookies stay fresh in an airtight container for up to a week, though they rarely last that long in my house! For longer storage, they freeze beautifully for up to three months.

You can also prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to three days. Just let it come to room temperature before scooping and baking. This makes them perfect for those busy weeknight moments when you want fresh cookies without the prep work.

More Recipes to Try

If you’re loving these 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies, you’ll definitely want to try these recipes from my kitchen:

• Pumpkin No Bake Cookies
• Colorful Monster Cookies
• Pumpkin Snickerdoodles Cookies
• Chewy Soft Snickerdoodle Cookie

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about 3 ingredient cookies peanut butter that goes beyond their simplicity. They remind us that the best recipes aren’t always the most complicated ones. Sometimes, magic happens when we strip away the unnecessary and focus on what really matters good ingredients, a little love, and the joy of sharing something homemade.

Cook with feeling, not just timing, and don’t be afraid to make this recipe your own. Every family needs a go-to cookie recipe, and I have a feeling this might just become yours. Thanks for being in my kitchen today I hope these cookies bring as much happiness to your home as they have to mine.

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