Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Allow the oven to fully preheat so the cookies bake evenly. This moderate temperature helps the cookies set without over-browning, keeping the centers soft and flavorful.
2. Mix the dough. In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, brown sugar, and egg. Stir until the mixture becomes smooth, thick, and fully blended. The dough will feel soft and slightly sticky but should hold together easily when rolled. Mixing thoroughly ensures the sugar dissolves evenly and the egg binds everything consistently.
3. Shape the cookies. Scoop portions of dough and roll them gently between your palms to form uniform balls. Place them on a baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each one. Once arranged, use a fork to press down lightly, creating the traditional crisscross pattern. This flattens the cookies just enough to help them bake into the right texture.
4. Bake for 8–10 minutes. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated 325-degree oven. The cookies will puff slightly as they bake and may look soft in the center when the timer ends — that’s exactly right. They continue to set as they cool, so avoid leaving them in the oven too long. The edges should look just barely firm with no more than a hint of golden color.
5. Let the cookies rest. Allow the cookies to sit on the baking sheet for a short rest before moving them. This cooling phase helps them firm up enough to lift easily with a spatula. Once they’ve set, transfer them gently to a cooling rack to finish cooling completely.

Serving Notes

These cookies are delicious warm, when the centers are soft and the peanut butter aroma fills the kitchen, but they are equally good once fully cooled, when the texture becomes tender and perfectly chewy. With only three ingredients, they deliver maximum flavor for minimal effort — a quick, satisfying treat every time.