I’ll never forget the first time I made these cookies. It was one of those days where a sudden craving for something sweet and comforting hit, but a quick look in my pantry revealed very little to work with. I remembered a simple recipe a friend had shared, one that seemed almost too good to be true. With just a jar of peanut butter, some sugar, and an egg, I created what would become my all-time favorite emergency dessert. These 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies are a testament to the magic of simple, quality ingredients.
What makes this recipe so special is its incredible simplicity without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. You get that classic, rich peanut butter taste and a wonderfully soft, chewy texture in every single bite. Because they are naturally flourless, they are also a fantastic gluten-free option that everyone can enjoy. This is the kind of recipe that builds kitchen confidence, proving that you don’t need a long list of ingredients to bake something truly delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
How to Make 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Getting these cookies from the bowl to the oven is incredibly straightforward. In fact, the process is so simple you’ll have it memorized after making them just once.
Step 1:
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, in a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, granulated sugar, large egg, and vanilla extract. Mix everything together until you have a smooth, thick dough that’s easy to handle.
Step 2:
Next, it’s time to shape the cookies. Scoop out rounded tablespoons of dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. After that, place them about two inches apart on your prepared baking sheet to give them enough room to spread just a little.
Step 3:
Here comes the fun part. To get that iconic look, gently press a fork onto the top of each dough ball, first in one direction and then in the opposite direction to create a criss-cross pattern. This isn’t just for decoration; it also gently flattens the dense, flourless dough, which helps the cookies bake more evenly.
Step 4:
Finally, bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are lightly golden, but the centers still look soft. It’s crucial to let them cool on the baking sheet for at least five minutes before moving them to a wire rack. This allows them to set properly so they don’t fall apart.
My Best 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies Tips
Over the years, I’ve picked up a few simple tricks that take these already amazing 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies to the next level.
The 5-Minute Chill for Less Spread
Here’s a little secret I’ve learned: if your kitchen is warm and the dough feels a bit too soft, just pop the bowl into the refrigerator for about 5 to 10 minutes before you start rolling. This simple step makes the dough much easier to handle and ensures your cookies hold their shape perfectly as they bake.
Don’t Overbake for the Chewiest Texture
The number one rule for a perfectly chewy peanut butter cookie is to pull them from the oven when they still look slightly underdone in the center. They will continue to firm up on the hot baking sheet. Overbaking is the fastest way to get a dry, crumbly cookie, so trust the process and take them out a minute early.
Dip the Fork in Sugar
To prevent the fork from sticking to the dough when you make the criss-cross pattern, try dipping it in a small bowl of granulated sugar first. Not only does this solve the sticking issue, but it also adds a lovely, sparkly crunch to the top of your finished cookies.
Variations of 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
One of the best things about this simple recipe is how easy it is to customize. For a classic twist, you can gently fold in a half-cup of chocolate chips before rolling the dough. If you want to add a beautiful, crunchy finish, try rolling the dough balls in coarse sugar before baking. To elevate the flavor even more, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the cookies before they go into the oven; it perfectly balances the sweetness and makes the peanut butter taste richer.
If you love simple and quick desserts, you might also enjoy this cranberry oatmeal cookies.
FAQs
Can you make peanut butter cookies with just peanut butter and sugar?
Unfortunately, you need a binder to hold the cookies together, and that’s where the egg comes in. Without the egg, the mixture won’t form a proper dough and will simply crumble apart during baking.
Why do my 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies fall apart?
There are a few common reasons this might happen. First, using a natural peanut butter where the oil separates can lead to a crumbly texture. Second, overbaking them will make them dry. Lastly, it’s essential to let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to set before you try to move them.
How do you make peanut butter cookies without flour?
This recipe is a perfect example of how to do it! The combination of peanut butter, sugar, and egg creates a stable structure all on its own, completely eliminating the need for any flour. This makes them a fantastic and easy gluten-free dessert.
How long do 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies last?
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies will stay fresh and delicious for up to five days. That is, if you can manage to make them last that long!
Print
4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
Description
Discover the magic of simplicity with these 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies! Incredibly easy to make, this recipe delivers perfectly soft, chewy cookies bursting with rich peanut butter flavor. Naturally flourless, they are a fantastic gluten-free treat that proves you don’t need a long list of ingredients to create something truly delicious. This is the ultimate go-to recipe for a quick and satisfying dessert craving.
Ingredients
1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky commercial brands like Jif or Skippy work best)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, granulated sugar, large egg, and optional vanilla extract. Mix with a spoon or spatula until the ingredients are fully combined and form a smooth, thick dough.
Shape Your Peanut Butter Cookies
Scoop out rounded tablespoons of dough and roll them between your palms to form 1-inch balls. Place the dough balls about two inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for slight spreading.
Create the Classic Criss-Cross Pattern
Using the tines of a fork, gently press down on the top of each dough ball. Rotate the fork 90 degrees and press down again to create the iconic criss-cross pattern. This also helps flatten the cookies for more even baking.
Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers still appear soft. For the best texture, it is crucial not to overbake. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Peanut Butter Choice: For best results, use a standard commercial peanut butter like Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butters where the oil separates can result in a drier, more crumbly cookie.
Prevent Sticking: If the fork sticks to the dough when making the criss-cross pattern, dip it in a small bowl of granulated sugar before pressing. This adds a nice sparkly finish, too!
Perfectly Chewy Texture: The key to a soft and chewy cookie is to pull them from the oven when they look slightly underdone. They will continue to cook and firm up on the hot baking sheet.
Easy Variations: Feel free to fold in a half-cup of chocolate chips, roll the dough balls in coarse sugar before baking, or sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top before they go in the oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 131
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 75
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 10
Keywords: peanut butter cookies, 4 ingredient cookies, easy cookies, gluten-free cookies, flourless cookies, simple dessert, quick cookies
