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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.
Really simple . Thanks my grandchildren love thm
I’m so glad your family loves them, Samantha!
These came out amazing 😉
I’m so glad that you like the cookies, Kayla!
Looks good
I hope you love them, Madeline.
Can I make these with homemade peanut butter?Being on quarantine,we barely ever go out…….
It’s worth a try. You might want to add a little extra peanut butter if the batter is really thin. I’m game for trying all sorts of substitutions these days so that we can all stay home.
I just “assigned” this recipe to my 6 and 8 year old. Baking has become a regular part of their daily home lesson. To make sure we got in our math practice, I required them to halve the recipe. They were able to make this simple recipe unsupervised (I handled the oven part, of course). Thanks!
How fun, Kenya!
Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of smooth?
Yes, you can, Melanie. You’ll want to add an extra 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter to make sure the consistency is correct with the added nuts.
Just made them today they came out really good I good I added the salt to the dough yummy
I’m so glad you liked the cookies, Zaira!
You can’t get any easier than this recipe. Just now, I made a batch and baked In 17 mins. I always have the 3 ingredients on hand and these cookies are very tasty!
I’m so glad that you love the cookies!
Hi! Can you use spenda instead of regular sugar?
Thank you!
Many people have tried this with Splenda, Jen. If you read through some of the comments, you’ll see how it has worked for them.
Can you grease the baking sheet instead of using parchment paper?
You can do this without parchment, Eleanor. The cookies will simply be a bit darker on the bottom. They shouldn’t stick to the pan.
My goodness, these cookies are so delicious and easy to make. I made the chewy version with the two eggs and chocolate chips. I am learning how to cook and this is a winner.
I’m so happy that you like the cookies, Mary!
Hey, I was just wondering if it’s possible to not use an egg for the recipe? Lol sorry we’re running low at the moment, what with all the social distancing and etc.
If you have an egg replacer, then yes, but unfortunately without that you’ll just have peanut butter and sugar and it won’t bake up into cookies. In lieu of baking cookies though, for an alternate peanut butter treat, you can do a quick search for the peanut butter fudge on this website. (peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar – no egg required.)
Can I bake this in an oven toaster?
That should work fine. Just want for doneness, as the time will likely vary for a toaster oven.
So simple and so good.
I’m so glad to hear that you like them, Eve!
Im 13 I made these for my family and even my brother who hates peanut butter loves these cookies 😋😋
That’s very cool!
Super easy recipe, and I have to say my house smelled SO DANG GOOD lol….I did 3 times the ingredients because I know for a fact my family and I are going to gobble them down. Thank you so much for this recipe. God Bless y’all
I’m so glad that you like the cookies, Amelia!
I also put oatmeal and some chocolate chips in half the batch. I tasted one of each, and my heavens wow! I couldn’t of done this without you Mary.
I’m glad you like the cookies, Amelia!
Amazing recipe. Just cooked it. Taste awesome
I’m glad you like the cookies, Natalja!
Did I do something wrong? My cookies came out completely flat….I think I measured everything exact. Not sure what I did.🤷🏼♀️
Did you change any ingredients, Elizabeth? Maybe use natural peanut butter? Without being in your kitchen with you, it’s hard to guess what might have gone wrong.
Can I make these without the sugar?
You’d just have a mixture of peanut butter and egg, Ronald. That’s not going to bake up nicely without the structure provided by the sugar. Many people have commented that they used sugar replacements though and enjoyed them that way. It’s worth reading through the comments to check that out!
I made them this afternoon. They are very good.
I’m so glad you like the cookies, Mercedes.