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These chewy, dense, peanut butter cookies are an unforgettable memory from my childhood. Made with just an egg, a cup of peanut butter, and a cup of sugar, 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are an old-fashioned cookie that everyone loves.
Peanut Butter Cookies
After you’ve tasted them, these old-fashioned chewy peanut butter cookies will be forever in your memory, too. And if you scan the comments at the bottom of this post, you’ll see a whole lot of people calling these the Best Peanut Butter Cookies Ever.
While the origin of these peanut butter cookies is sometimes debated, the recipe has certainly been around longer than I have. I can remember seeing the instructions on the side of Jif, Skippy, and Peter Pan peanut butter jars throughout my childhood.
So quick easy and delicious! Always have the ingredients so it is really perfect for a spur of the moment sweet tooth 😋 👍
Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
I remember stirring a batch of these cookies together with a friend in the middle of the night when I was in junior high or high school. I was a bit skeptical that it would work, but I loved them from the first bite.
There is nothing like being able to satisfy a sweet tooth craving at a moment’s notice! We sat and nibbled on the warm cookies and talked half the night.
In less time than it takes to preheat the oven, you can have these ready and waiting to bake on a tray. There are plenty of variations of peanut butter cookies on the internet and in countless cookbooks, and I’ve played with plenty of them in the past.
1 Cup Peanut Butter + 1 Cup Sugar + 1 Egg
In the end, I keep going back to the original peanut butter cookie. I love it for its simplicity. 1 cup of peanut butter, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 egg: there really isn’t anything easier that tastes this good.
Truly the BEST!
As much as I love the original recipe, I often change things up just a tiny bit when I make these cookies. I like to remove about 2 tablespoons of peanut butter from the “cup” listed in this recipe. This results in a slightly less dense cookie that we love even more than the original. Happy baking!
One of my favorite things about this very easy peanut butter cookie recipe is that kids can usually make these cookies without any help at all. This was the first cookie recipe that each of my boys learned to make, and they were probably about 5 years old when they made them for the first time on their own.
Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
While the main ingredients for these 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies are simply peanut butter, sugar, and an egg, feel free to adapt the recipe however you like best! Add a teaspoon of vanilla, an additional egg (for a gooier cookie – see note below), a pinch of sea salt, or a handful of chocolate chips. The cookies are delicious both as written and with the extra ingredients.
As much as I love the original recipe, I often change things up just a tiny bit when I make these cookies. I like to remove about 2 tablespoons of peanut butter from the “cup” listed in this recipe. This results in a slightly less dense cookie that we love even more than the original.
Please note: I do not recommend using a natural peanut butter for this recipe. I’ve found that a commercial peanut butter, i.e. Jiff or Skippy will work best for these cookies. While some readers have commented that their all-natural peanut butter works well, that is not universally true with all natural peanut butters.
Recipe Tip
Many readers have mentioned that they like to add an extra egg to this recipe. If you choose to add an extra egg, simply scoop the finished cookie dough onto the baking tray. The dough will not be firm enough to roll into balls or press with a criss-cross pattern.
The cookies will be puffier straight out of the oven and then will settle a bit as they cool. I’ll admit that I’m not the biggest fan of this particular variation, as the cookies are a bit more delicate this way, and I really like the chewy texture of the original version.
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
It really doesn’t get any easier than these cookies. Stir together the peanut butter, sugar, and egg. Scoop the cookie dough onto a baking sheet and then use the back of a fork to press down on each cookie. Press again from the opposite direction to form the criss-cross pattern on top.
These cookies will not spread much at all. You can bake the full batch on a single tray if you like. Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container, either on the counter until they all disappear, or in the freezer, for up to 2 months.
Easy Cookie Recipes
For more easy dessert recipes, check out these easy cookie recipes! {5 Ingredient} Coconut Lovers Oatmeal Cookies and these {5 Ingredient} Almond Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies.
For the easiest and most memorable cake you’ll ever make, try the {6 Ingredient} Cranberry Christmas Cake. You’re going to love it from the first bite. I’m willing to bet on that. Do you have a favorite super easy cookie recipe? If so, I’d love to hear about it!
I’m always looking for more simple dessert recipes to try. These Easy Double Chocolate Nutella Cookies and these Easy Shortbread Cookies (made with a cookie press) are both on my to-bake list now.
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar * see note below
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Combine the peanut butter, sugar, and egg in a bowl. Stir together until well combined.
- Scoop onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. (Roll into 1" balls with your hands, if you do not have a scoop.) Press down with the back of a fork, and then press again from the opposite direction, to form the criss-cross pattern on top.
- These cookies will not spread much at all. You can bake the full recipe on a single tray if you like. Bake for 12 minutes and then cool on the tray for 1-2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. Store in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 08/14/2013 – photos and recipe notes updated 09/25/25}
This has been a very popular recipe here on the website for almost as long as I’ve been sharing recipes online. I’m updating the photos and resharing the recipe today; however, I’m including the original photos here for those who may already be familiar with these cookies.
I’ve loved peanut butter cookies since my high school days when I took an economic class and we made them. Thanks for the recipe.
Can you use dry peanut butter for these cookies?
That will not work, as there won’t be enough moisture in the cookies.
I actually made them today with dry peanut butter and it tasted phenomenal! The key is to mix all the dry ingredients and then the egg before adding the water to the peanut butter powder if that makes sense. I also recommend not going off the recommended water amount on the back of your powder mix because it will be too much, slowly add water a little at a time until you get the consistency you’re looking for. I know because my first batch came out extremely runny because I mixed the powder and water first to make “peanut butter” then added the egg in sugar and it came out really super runny so I had to add more powder and they still didn’t turn out very well so I’m turning them into dog treats! Hope you like them!
Can you use something besides an egg
1/2 cup of oil
1/4cup apple sauce?? Haven’t tried it but it is a good egg substitute in other baking recipes I’ve tried.
Made these with natural peanut butter that had been in the fridge. Came out great! Next time I’ll try the extra egg and see how that goes
I LOVE this recipe. I always double it and use half white and half brown sugar! They turn out amazing every time!!
What temperature and for how long do you bake these cookies.
Always find myself right back here at this recipe, each and every single time I get in the mood for peanut butter cookies! Love this recipe and so does my other half and his little girl! ❤
Thank you!! 🍪🍪
Do you white or brown sugar in the peanut butter cookies
I use white sugar, but many people have said that brown sugar is delicious in these cookies as well.
Easy recipe but the cookies fall apart and feel as if they are still raw.
I made these and just put a little brown sugar in addition to the white sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla extract and they were AMAZING (:
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe, Ashton!
I use 1/2 granulated 1/2 brown sugar to make a cup and extra egg tsp vanilla chunky peanut butter and butterscotch chips to this recipe and they came out delicious!
I’m so glad that you are enjoying the cookies, Espi!
That sounds amazing I need to try
I have been making these cookies for over 20 years.
I also add 1 teaspoon of vanilla. I also triple the batch.
Hi Jeanette! It’s such a fun recipe, isn’t it?
I made these cookies & left out just a tiny bit of peanut butter for a less dense cookie. When I took them out of the oven, they had spread quite a bit unlike what the directions had said. They are good, but I would’ve liked them not to be spread out as much. Great recipe!
Hi Brentany! The recipe only works with the exact amount of peanut butter. The peanut butter provides structure to the cookie in this flourless recipe.
Made the 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies and they were the worst cookies ever. Taste like powdering your mouth. Nasty.
I’m sorry they weren’t to your liking, Beaner. They aren’t for everyone, but many people sure do love them.
loved these cookies!!
So glad you like them, Monica!
Thank you!! My boyfriend loves PB cookies and I love making them from scratch, but sometimes making an entire batch can be tiring with a bunch of ingredients. This was super easy, super fast, and we both loved them! I was skeptical at first with all that sugar, but they cooked wonderful. Will definitely be baking theses again 🙂
I’m so glad you like the cookies, Paige!
Can you substitute sugar?
I would like to know too. I saw where someone did 1/2 brown and 1/2 white…
That will work fine, Christina!
I just made this recipe. The dough went together effortlessly. They remind me of the cookies my Grandma made that had a Hershey kiss sitting in the middle. Very good cookie and one I can eat since I’m gluten intolerant. Only wish I could post a photo!
I’m thrilled that you like the cookies, Bev!
Peanut butter cookies are one of my absolute favourite cookies. And this is such a simple recipe, and only three ingredients! Will definitely be trying this out 🙂
I hope you love them as much as we do, Bee!
I love these peanut butter cookies .My cousin and I used to make them when we wer teenagers.
It really is such a great recipe, Beverly.