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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.
Just finished making a batch. Made larger cookies ( 1 dozen) for this recipe. Also used crunchy peanut butter added a single serving package of instant oatmeal and used brown sugar. Added pure vanilla flavoring. They came out Awesome!! Chewy with slightly crisp edges. Will be baking again…next time will try adding a banana and some additional spices. The variations are unlimited. These were quick and fun to make.
I’m so glad you like the cookies!
Cooled for two minutes. My scoop was full so I only made 11 cookies. Will not fill scoop next time. When transferring to wire rack, cookies split. Any suggestions?
Sounds like they might not have been cool enough to move just yet. I’d try letting them cool a bit longer next time, Karen.
This recipe interested me because of the only three ingredients part. Do not waste your peanut butter on this recipe I made them this morning all you could taste was sugar.
They’re not for everyone, Pat. But as you can tell, most people do love them.
Well , they are not my grandmother’s. But considering social distancing and only 3 ingredients they were perfect to satisfy my sweet craving. Full disclosure I used all natural peanut butter and I added 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
I’m glad you liked them, Kimball! (Nothing beats grandma’s though, right?)
This did not end well for me. I followed the recipe to a T and the cookies were falling apart, so squishy and messy. I added them back to the oven and they formed up a bit but also slightly burned. Oops.
Is there any chance you substituted or changed an ingredient, Kim?
These cookies were awesome! Followed the recipe exactly! Used crunchy peanut butter! my go to peanut butter recipe!!!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the cookies, Patrick!
Best cookies ever. At home with husband isolating from coronaviruus and my husband had sweet tooth. I am not a baker and they came out delicious. Thanks
I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying the cookies, Pam!
Want to make these with my little girl today…. What if we don’t have parchment paper? Thanks!
You can make these without parchment paper, Paula. They’ll work fine. (Parchment simply guarantees that nothing will stick to the pan and it makes cleanup a breeze.)
Amazing cookies! I will be making them again the best part is they took maybe 10 to prepare. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
I’m so glad that you like the cookies, Delaney!
At home with my sister & getting bored of binge watching Netflix. I’m so glad I found this recipe! Easy enough and my sister loves them. Thanks for taking the monotony of social distancing out of my afternoon!
I’m glad you’re enjoying the cookies, Lisa!
These were amazing! We made a double batch and made twelve giant cookies. They came out crispy on the edges and chewy on the middle. So good! We did use natural peanut butter and it was no issue for us btw. I think the flavor is definitely influenced by the type of peanut butter you use and how long you bake them for, which probably explains some of the mishaps described by other people.
I’m so glad that you like the cookies, Kim!
Simple, easy and delicious!!
I’m glad you like the cookies, Amy!
How would it be if I reduced or omitted sugar? Looking for healthier ways to do this 🙂
The sugar gives stability to the dough. You just have egg and peanut butter without it. If you read through the comments, you’ll see where others have made these cookies using alternative sweeteners. That is not something I’m familiar with though.
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!Nani! I thought you needed flour.
It actually works and it taste awesome.
There’s no flour needed for this recipe, Master Lazar.
These are too sweet for me personally, but I am baking them with peanut Butter that is ubiquitous at feed pantries and putting them in the meal packages we are distributing to homeless people in my neighborhood. Can’t beat how easy they are! Very excited down the line to experiment ways to keep them simple for my personal pallet which doesn’t love so much sugar.
I’m glad to hear that they work for the food pantries, Marta!
Will this recipe work with peanut butter powder instead of traditional peanut butter?
I’ve never used PB powder for baking, Stella. If you normally can reconstitute it and use it that way, it might work.
My husband was skeptical that these would turn out well with just 3 ingredients. He’s a believer now! 😋
I’m so happy to hear it!
I am trying to make these now and i followed the receipe and there is no way i can roll these into balls what did i do wrong?
Without being in your kitchen with you, Lacey, it’s hard to guess what might have gone wrong. Did you substitute an ingredient by chance?
Same
I just made these. I did two eggs, a qtr tsp of salt and a tsp of vanilla because I wanted them chewy. Added chocolate chips to half of them. They came out perfect! I like that they’re not too sweet! Thank you!
I’m so glad you are enjoying the cookies, Deonna.
I just made those cookies. Yum
I’m glad you are enjoying them, Teri.