Pin it These cookies landed in my kitchen by accident—I'd run out of flour one Saturday afternoon and had a jar of peanut butter staring me down. Three ingredients and fifteen minutes later, I pulled out something that tasted like pure comfort. They're soft, chewy, and honest in a way that makes you wonder why anyone needs anything more complicated.
I made these for my neighbor on a random Tuesday, and she sat on my porch eating two while telling me about her week. That's when I realized these cookies do something special—they're simple enough to feel unpretentious but interesting enough to actually make someone smile.
Ingredients
- Creamy peanut butter: Use unsweetened or lightly sweetened—the less added sugar, the more control you have over how sweet these turn out.
- Granulated sugar: This is what gives them structure and helps them set at the edges while staying chewy in the middle.
- Large egg: One egg is all you need to bind everything and create that tender crumb.
Instructions
- Heat your oven and prep:
- Set the oven to 350°F and line your baking sheet with parchment paper—this keeps them from sticking and makes cleanup trivial.
- Mix the dough:
- Combine peanut butter, sugar, and egg in a bowl, stirring until it's completely smooth and uniform. This takes about a minute, and you'll feel the mixture transform as the egg incorporates.
- Shape into balls:
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll them between your hands into neat balls. Place them about two inches apart on the sheet—they'll spread slightly as they bake.
- Make the crisscross:
- Use a fork to gently flatten each ball, pressing down twice to create that classic crisscross pattern. This isn't just pretty; it helps them bake evenly.
- Bake until the edges set:
- Bake for nine to eleven minutes, watching for the moment when the edges look firm but the tops still have a slight crack. They'll look almost underdone when you pull them out, and that's exactly right.
- Cool and transfer:
- Let them sit on the hot baking sheet for five minutes—this helps them firm up enough to move without falling apart. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pin it My daughter dunked one in milk once and asked why we don't make cookies like these more often. I realized it wasn't about how fancy they were—it was about how they tasted like someone was actually thinking about her.
Flavor Variations That Work
I've learned these cookies are a blank canvas if you want them to be. A pinch of sea salt against the sweetness changes everything—it's subtle but makes you notice each flavor separately. Vanilla extract adds a gentle warmth, and a splash of bourbon one night taught me that peanut butter and oak are friends. Chocolate chips pressed into the dough before baking create little pockets of richness that melt into the soft cookie.
Storage and Keeping
These keep beautifully in an airtight container for up to five days, though I've rarely had them last that long. They don't dry out the way flour-based cookies do because there's no flour to absorb moisture. If they soften too much after a few days, a few minutes in a warm oven brings back that perfect texture.
Why This Recipe Stuck With Me
There's something freeing about a recipe this honest. No complicated techniques, no rare ingredients, no pretense. You're just combining what you have and trusting that simplicity, done well, is its own kind of magic. These cookies remind me that sometimes the best things in the kitchen happen when you stop overthinking.
- Make them on a weekend and have something homemade ready when someone stops by unexpectedly.
- Use natural peanut butter if you can—the flavor is noticeably richer and more authentic.
- If your kitchen runs warm, chill the dough for ten minutes before baking to prevent too much spreading.
Pin it These cookies are proof that you don't need much to make something that matters. Three ingredients, a little patience, and suddenly you've got something warm to share.
Recipe FAQs
- → What makes these cookies flourless?
They use peanut butter as the base instead of wheat flour, relying on eggs and sugar to bind the dough together.
- → Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Yes, crunchy peanut butter adds texture but may change the smoothness of the final cookies.
- → How should I store the cookies?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to maintain softness.
- → What is the purpose of the fork crisscross pattern?
The pattern flattens the dough evenly and creates a classic cookie appearance while enhancing texture.
- → Can I add flavors like vanilla or chocolate?
Yes, a splash of vanilla or chocolate chips pressed into the dough before baking adds extra flavor layers.