Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Effortless Indulgence: The Ultimate 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a sudden, undeniable craving? That moment when only a warm, comforting cookie will do? You might picture a late summer evening, cozied up in your favorite chair, perhaps unwinding with a delightful Netflix series or a glass of wine. Then, it hits – a powerful desire for something sweet, something salty, something utterly satisfying, and above all, something *quick*. What could possibly tick all these boxes?

The answer, my friends, is simple: cookies! But not just any cookies. We’re talking about glorious, melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter cookies. And the best part? This isn’t just a recipe; it’s your saving grace, your secret weapon against spontaneous snack attacks. Imagine crafting a dozen colossal, soft, and utterly delicious peanut butter cookies with just three basic pantry ingredients, all in under 20 minutes. Sounds like a dream? It’s reality, and the score is definitely in your favor!

Close up of a freshly baked three-ingredient peanut butter cookie, golden brown with criss-cross fork marks.

This remarkable recipe is a testament to culinary simplicity and instant gratification. Forget complicated steps, fancy equipment, or a lengthy ingredient list. You won’t even need to drag out your heavy stand mixer. With just a bowl, a spoon, and your oven, you’re minutes away from a house filled with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked goods – without actually spending all day in the kitchen. It’s pure magic, promising a batch of soft, chewy peanut butter delights that are ready almost before your favorite show’s next episode begins.

Overhead shot of three-ingredient peanut butter cookies arranged on a cooling rack, highlighting their perfect texture.

The Magic of Just Three Ingredients

What are these magical components, you ask? Prepare to be amazed: it’s simply one cup of creamy peanut butter, one cup of granulated sugar, and one single egg. That’s it! These three humble ingredients combine to create a cookie that’s rich, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. The peanut butter provides the base and a good amount of fat, the sugar adds sweetness and aids in texture, and the egg acts as the perfect binder, ensuring your cookies hold together beautifully while baking.

Beyond their minimal ingredient list, these cookies offer another fantastic benefit: unbelievably easy cleanup. A quick tip for making your baking experience even more effortless is to bake them on parchment paper. This simple trick ensures no sticking and virtually no mess on your baking sheet, transforming cleanup from a chore into a breeze. We all appreciate a delicious treat, but a delicious treat with minimal washing up? That’s truly a recipe for happiness!

A close-up of the simple ingredients for the 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies: peanut butter, sugar, and an egg in separate bowls.

From Our Kitchen to Yours: A Freaky Friday Discovery

While I’m thrilled to share this incredible recipe with you, I must confess that the credit for these delightful, speedy cookies isn’t entirely mine. This fantastic recipe was a wonderful discovery made during a special event called Freaky Friday. For those unfamiliar, Freaky Friday is a cherished tradition I host once a season, bringing together a group of my talented blogger friends. The premise is simple yet exciting: we secretly swap blogs, each choosing a recipe from our assigned site, and then reveal our posts simultaneously. It’s a fantastic way to explore new culinary horizons, challenge ourselves in the kitchen, and introduce our readers to other amazing food creators.

This particular round, I had the pleasure and privilege of cooking and baking from the delightful food blog, Platter Talk, run by my friends Dan and Scott. Their blog is a true treasure trove, brimming with an extensive collection of recipes that cater to every taste and occasion. Given the passion they pour into their kitchen alongside their boys, it’s no surprise that Platter Talk offers everything from savory feasts to tempting sweet treats. Their approach to food is authentic and approachable, making their recipes a joy to explore and recreate. It’s an invaluable resource for home cooks looking for reliable, delicious meals and desserts.

Promotional banner for the Freaky Friday Summer 2018 blog hop event.

A Culinary Journey Through Freaky Friday

Participating in Freaky Friday is always an adventure, and this round was no exception. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our readers to discover new voices and unique recipes. Below is a snapshot of what some of my fellow bloggers created from their secret assignments this season:

  • An Affair from the Heart: Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies (That’s us!)
  • Lemoine Family Kitchen: Easy Peasy Corn Pudding
  • Take Two Tapas: Large Batch Cherry Manhattan Party Punch
  • Seduction in the Kitchen: No Churn Raspberry Moscato Wine Ice Cream
  • West Via Midwest: Creamy Lemon Ice Cream
  • Bowl Me Over: Homemade French Onion Soup
  • The Devilish Dish: Chili Cheese Corn Dogs
  • Mildly Meandering: Chai Latte Dip
  • Who Needs a Cape?: Hash Brown Taco Casserole
  • A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures: German Soft Pretzels
  • PlatterTalk: Posole

Returning to my exciting task with Platter Talk, initially, I was drawn to their fantastic savory offerings. Their Grilled Corn Salsa looked incredibly fresh and flavorful, and their Corn Fritters with Avocado Jalapeño sauce sounded like a delightful appetizer. Even their Easy Margherita Pizza was calling my name, promising a simple yet satisfying meal. However, after recently sharing several savory recipes with my readers, I felt it was high time to indulge in something truly sweet and comforting.

Platter Talk’s dessert section is incredibly rich, offering so many tempting choices that narrowing it down to just three was a delicious challenge in itself. Ultimately, I settled on these specific 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies. Life had been a whirlwind of activity lately, and I desperately needed a recipe that promised speed, simplicity, and pure deliciousness without adding any extra stress. I baked them, and as expected, they were an absolute hit! We devoured them, savoring every sweet and salty bite.

A batch of delicious 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies cooling on a wire rack.

Transforming Your Cookies: The Ultimate Ice Cream Sandwich

After enjoying the warm, soft cookies, a thought popped into my head: “These are amazing, but are they *summery* enough?” The answer, clearly, was to elevate them! So, I took the remaining four cookies and embarked on a delightful experiment. I scooped a generous dollop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream between two cookies, gently “smooshing” them together to create a perfect sandwich. For an extra touch of indulgence and texture, I then rolled the edges of these impromptu ice cream sandwiches in mini chocolate chips. After a night in the freezer, they transformed into a blissful frozen treat.

The next morning – yes, morning! – I couldn’t resist. These exquisite peanut butter cookie ice cream sandwiches became my breakfast, a joyful tribute to summertime. Imagine this: toasting to the day with a cup of coffee in one hand and a decadent, homemade peanut butter ice cream sandwich in the other! The combination of the rich, slightly salty peanut butter cookie with the cool, sweet vanilla ice cream and the crunch of chocolate chips is truly unparalleled. It’s summertime dessert perfection, taking a simple cookie to an entirely new level of deliciousness.

Homemade peanut butter cookie ice cream sandwiches, rolled in mini chocolate chips and ready to be frozen.

Close-up of a frozen peanut butter cookie ice cream sandwich, showing the creamy vanilla ice cream and chocolate chips.

Get Baking: Tips for Your 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Making these cookies is incredibly straightforward, but here are a few extra pointers to ensure your batch turns out perfectly every time:

  • **Peanut Butter Choice:** While creamy peanut butter is traditionally used for its smooth texture, you can experiment with crunchy peanut butter for added texture. Just ensure it’s a standard, shelf-stable peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) rather than a natural, oil-separated variety, as the latter might alter the cookie’s texture.
  • **Mixing:** Don’t overmix. Combine the ingredients until just incorporated to prevent tough cookies. A sturdy spoon is all you need.
  • **Baking Perfection:** The 15-minute baking time at 350°F (175°C) is key for a soft interior. Keep an eye on them; they should be lightly golden brown around the edges.
  • **The Fork Marks:** The classic criss-cross pattern not only looks charming but also helps flatten the cookies slightly, ensuring even baking.
  • **Cooling:** Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. They are very soft when warm and can break easily.

A hand breaking a freshly baked 3-ingredient peanut butter cookie in half, showing its soft and chewy texture.

Versatility and Beyond

These simple, speedy, and utterly delicious peanut butter cookies are incredibly versatile. They’re perfect for so many occasions:

  • **Hostess Gifts:** A homemade batch makes for a thoughtful and much-appreciated present.
  • **Teacher Appreciation:** A sweet treat to say thank you.
  • **Holiday Gift Giving:** A lovely addition to any festive goodie basket.
  • **After-School Snacks:** A wholesome and satisfying treat for kids.
  • **Anytime Cravings:** The ultimate solution for when you need a quick sweet and salty pick-me-up.

And of course, don’t forget the ice cream sandwich transformation for an extra special treat! You can vary the ice cream flavor (chocolate, strawberry, coffee!) or roll them in different toppings like sprinkles, chopped nuts, or even more chocolate. The possibilities are endless!

Explore More Freaky Friday Recipes

If you loved this glimpse into the Freaky Friday fun, be sure to check out all my past recipes from this exciting blog swap. You’ll find a diverse array of dishes and discover even more amazing food blogs!

A vibrant hero shot of a stack of three-ingredient peanut butter cookies, perfectly golden and inviting.

So, what are you waiting for? With just three ingredients and a few minutes, you can conquer any craving and bring pure joy to your kitchen. Let’s make some cookies! Michaela Kenkel's blog signature.

LIKE THIS RECIPE?
Don’t forget to give it a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and
leave a comment below the recipe!

Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies close up

4.92 from 12 votes

Print Recipe

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Ever find yourself craving a peanut butter cookie?  This recipe, right here, is your saving grace.  Three ingredients, one dozen big peanut butter cookies, 20 minutes.  SCORE!!
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time17 minutes
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: continental
Keyword: 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Servings: 1 dozen
Calories: 197kcal
Author: Michaela Kenkel
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 egg

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, mix the three ingredients together until well combined and a dough forms.
  • Roll the dough into 12 equal cookie balls and place them evenly spaced on the prepared cookie sheet.
  • Using a fork, gently press down on each cookie ball to create a classic criss-cross pattern. This helps them bake evenly.
  • Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Cool slightly on the cookie sheet before carefully transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Recipe from Plattertalk.

**To make into ice cream sandwiches:** Simply scoop 1 scoop of slightly softened ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, or your favorite peanut butter pairing) into the middle of two cooled cookies. Gently “smoosh” them together. If desired, roll the edges in mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or chopped nuts. Wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap and freeze overnight to harden for best results. Enjoy your gourmet treat!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 197kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 108mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g

A stunning arrangement of peanut butter cookie ice cream sandwiches, visually appealing for pinning and sharing.

^^ LOVE IT?  PIN IT!! ^^