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3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

By What’s Baking

Incredibly simple yet decadently rich peanut butter cookies with a perfect crumbly-chewy texture and deep nutty flavor that melts in your mouth with each bite.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
12 mins
Serves:
15 cookies
An overhead shot of golden-brown 3-ingredient peanut butter cookies arranged in a casual spiral pattern on a rustic wooden board, with a few cookies broken in half to reveal their crumbly interior texture. Soft natural lighting creates subtle shadows that highlight the characteristic fork marks pressed into each cookie's surface. In the background, a small jar of natural peanut butter sits with its lid partially off, while a few scattered whole peanuts add context and visual interest. The warm amber tones of the cookies contrast beautifully with the deep browns of the board, emphasizing their homemade, unpretentious appeal.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"> <li class="ingredients-single-item">250g smooth peanut butter (no-stir variety)</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">200g granulated sugar</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 large egg</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 tsp salt (optional, only if using unsalted peanut butter)</li> </ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"> <li class="equipment-single-item">Baking tray</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Parchment paper</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Fork</li> </ul>
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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4> Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. This preparation ensures your cookies will bake evenly and won't stick to the tray. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4> In a medium mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter and sugar. The sugar creates structure in these flourless cookies while also helping to achieve those delightfully crisp edges. If your peanut butter has separated, make sure to stir it well before measuring. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4> Add the egg to the peanut butter mixture and mix thoroughly until completely incorporated. The egg provides protein which helps bind everything together in the absence of flour. You'll notice the dough transform from crumbly to smooth and cohesive. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4> Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, portion the dough into approximately 15 equal balls. Place them on your prepared baking tray, leaving about 5cm between each to allow for spreading. These cookies don't spread as much as traditional cookies, but they still need some room. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4> Using the back of a fork, gently press down on each cookie ball to flatten slightly, then press again in the opposite direction to create the classic criss-cross pattern. This signature design isn't just decorative—it helps the cookies bake evenly by creating a consistent thickness. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4> Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Be very careful not to overbake! These cookies can go from perfect to too dry in just a minute. They will still look slightly soft in the center, which is exactly what you want. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4> Allow the cookies to cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes. During this time, they'll continue cooking slightly from residual heat while also setting up their structure. This patience is crucial for achieving that perfect texture balance. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4> Carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. They'll be quite delicate while warm but will firm up nicely as they reach room temperature. Once fully cooled, enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. </li> </ol>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 cookie
🔥 Calories: 120 calories
🥑 Fat: 8 g
🧈 Saturated Fat: 2 g
🍞 Carbohydrates: 10 g
🍭 Sugar: 8 g
🍗 Protein: 4 g
🫀 Cholesterol: 15 mg
🧂 Sodium: 70 mg

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth for these flourless cookies?

Yes, you can substitute crunchy peanut butter for a more textured cookie with small peanut pieces throughout. The recipe will still work perfectly, though the texture will be slightly different. This variation adds extra crunch and visual interest to these simple cookies without affecting baking time.

Why do peanut butter cookies have fork marks in a criss-cross pattern?

The traditional criss-cross pattern on peanut butter cookies serves a practical purpose - it flattens the dense dough for even baking. Without flour, these cookies won't spread as much naturally, so the fork marks ensure consistent thickness. The pattern has also become iconic, making them instantly recognisable.

Are these flourless peanut butter cookies suitable for people with dietary restrictions?

These cookies are naturally gluten-free, making them perfect for those with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease. They're also dairy-free as written. However, they do contain eggs and peanuts, so they're not suitable for people with those specific allergies or those following vegan diets.

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