These chewy, dense, Peanut Butter Cookies are an unforgettable memory from my childhood.
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies are a classic cookie; just an egg, a cup of peanut butter, and a cup of sugar.
If you’re hanging out with me on Instagram, the odds are good that you’ve seen me make these at least a time or two.
Peanut Butter Cookies
After you’ve made them once, this easy peanut butter cookie recipe will be forever in your memory too.
If you scan the comments on this post, you’ll see a whole lot of people calling these the Best Peanut Butter Cookies Ever.
When I was in high school, I remember stirring a batch of these cookies together with a girlfriend in the middle of the night. 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 for these cookies and I’ve played with the recipe a bit in the past.
In the end, I keep going back to the original. I love it for its simplicity.
The best thing about this recipe is that the kids can make these cookies without any help at all. 1 cup of peanut butter, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 egg: there really isn’t anything easier that tastes this good.
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
While the main ingredients for the three ingredient peanut butter cookies are simply peanut butter, sugar, and an egg, feel free to change it up.
Add a teaspoon of vanilla, an additional egg (for a gooier cookie – see note in recipe), a pinch of sea salt or a handful of chocolate chips.
The cookies are delicious both written or with the extra ingredients.
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.
Easy Cookies
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.
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.
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!
Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, stir together 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 cup sugar, and 1 egg until smooth.
- Scoop the dough onto a parchment or Silpat 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.
- Bake for 12 minutes and then let cool on the tray for 1-2 minutes before removing to a wire rack to finish cooling. Store in an airtight container.
Check out all of the Gluten Free Dessert Recipes on this website!
Cookie Baking Tips
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 everyone loves even more than the original.
Alternatively, some 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.
Old Fashioned 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Stir the ingredients together until smooth. Scoop onto a parchment or Silpat 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 at all. You can bake the full recipe on a single tray if you would like. Bake for 12 minutes and then let cool on the tray for 1-2 minutes before removing to a wire rack to finish cooling. Store in an airtight container. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 08/14/2013 – photos and recipe notes updated 07/20/21}
Maria Hockett says
I used stevia cup for cup swap. They were soft and brittle such that they fell apart if I picked it up. They were not very sweet either. I threw them out.
Mary Younkin says
I’ve been told that this won’t work with Stevia. I’ve never tried it myself. Thanks for confirming it, Maria.
Sandy says
Making them in the morning.
Mary Younkin says
I hope that you enjoy the cookies, Sandy.
Dede Olivas says
Easiet Peanut butter cookie recipe yet
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like the recipe, Dede!
Aricka says
Hi I would love to make this
Mary Younkin says
If you do, let me know what you think.
Jay says
I was looking at this recipe and another that wa the same thing. Oddly enough the times where different. I saved the other one and this one. I ended up following the other recipe and the cookies were raw! Definitely will be following this recipe next time!
Tami Wise says
Oooooooo YUMMY😁
Casey says
I added a quarter cup of coco powder, BOOM! Your welcome! I cant stop eating them.
Mary Younkin says
I am so glad that you like the cookies, Casey!
Amanda M. says
These turned out perfect! Thanks.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like them, Amanda.
Erika Tode says
These are so easy, so good, and an awesome recipe for kids!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like the cookies, Erika.
Gwen says
We don’t have butter and I am doing a baking competition with my sister today . Do you think that these would be good with chocolate chip??????
Mary Younkin says
These will be great with added chocolate chips, Gwen.
DVSeattle says
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. These were DELICIOUS. I used natural peanut butter (I don’t like all that extra stuff they put in regular peanut butter). These were absolutely delicious. I don’t eat sweet treats a lot but ever so often I get a craving for something sweet and these were PERFECT. Simple and perfect. I had to let them cook for 15 minutes as my fancy stove is weird sometimes. These cookies would be delicious paired with a scoop of high quality vanilla ice cream. Perfect summer dessert. Yum!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you’re enjoying the cookies. Ice cream is always a good idea!
Lori says
LOVED this recipe, so simple to follow and the cookies turned out perfect. Thank you so much
Mary Younkin says
I’m happy to hear that you’re enjoying the cookies, Lori!
Jean says
I wasn’t expecting the cookies to taste so GOOD! I like the easy recipe—right up my alley. I will be making them again.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you like the cookies, Jean.
Rhonda says
Can I use a teaspoon of Cana butter in these
Mary Younkin says
Hi Rhonda! I did have to google cana butter, however I’m guessing you can add that to the cookies without any issues. Happy baking!
Trina says
Have you ever substituted brown sugar for the white sugar ???
Mary Younkin says
That will work fine, Trina.
Kathleen Hosey says
The easiest, tastiest recipe ever! Absolutely love it. I changed it up slightly added 1/2 tsp of vanilla and a handful of chocolate chips to half the batter and a handful of unsalted peanuts to the other half. Amazing results!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the ice cream, Kathleen.
Kajol Kundra says
“Bare feet in the kitchen” talk about a sexist and misogynistic name. I can’t even, wow.
Mary Younkin says
Oh. My. Goodness. Thank you for that laugh, Kajol. I don’t know when a simple comment on the website has provided so much amusement, but wow. Just the thought that bare feet in the kitchen are capable of being either sexist or misogynistic is enough to crack me up all over again. Is it just the thought of bare feet that are offensive and sexist? or is it the thought that bare feet might be on a kitchen floor? The blog name isn’t “Go make my dinner, bring me a beer, and be sure you’re barefoot while you’re doing that, Woman” – it was simply a name that came to mind one day while I watched all my kids running around the kitchen barefoot while we were baking something. Thanks again for the laugh. I wish you all the best.
Shannon says
OMG!!! Your reply to this person is 5 stars!!!!! Made me laugh!!!! Oh and your cookies are 5 stars also!! It is 11:00 pm and im going to the kitchen with my barefeet to make some of these!!
Mary Younkin says
haha, I usually ignore the trolls, but sometimes? They just catch me at the right moment. Glad it made you laugh!
Linda Knox says
So easy and comes out perfect I added a tblsp of flour tsp vanilla half tsp salt And let sit on cookie sheet till almost cool or it crumbles Made a second batch an hr later
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you are enjoying the cookies, Linda.
Ad Boyer says
I added 1 tsp vanilla, did 1/2 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup on top. Tasty and chewy.
Mary Younkin says
I’m happy to hear that you’re enjoying the cookies!
Rick Johnson says
I added some flour to a double egg double batch recipe. I hope it comes out ok
Mary Younkin says
I hope so too, Rick.