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This 3-ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe will revolutionize your dessert game. With minimal effort and pantry staples, you can whip up a batch of perfectly chewy, rich cookies that taste like they took hours to make. The beauty lies in their simplicity, yet the flavor rivals cookies with twice as many ingredients.
I first made these during a particularly hectic holiday season when I needed homemade cookies but had zero time. My family actually preferred these to my usual complicated recipes, and they've become our go to treat when sudden cookie cravings strike.
Ingredients
- Peanut butter: 2 cups creamy variety creates the perfect base for these cookies. Room temperature peanut butter incorporates much more easily with other ingredients. Choose a quality brand without added oils for best flavor.
- Large eggs: 2 provide structure and binding for our flourless cookies. Fresh eggs at room temperature will incorporate more evenly into the dough.
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup sweetens while creating the classic crisp exterior. Traditional white sugar works best, though you can experiment with brown sugar for a deeper molasses note.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Your Workspace:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This temperature creates the perfect balance of crisp edges and chewy centers. The parchment prevents sticking and makes cleanup effortless.
- Create The Dough:
- Combine all three ingredients in your mixer bowl. Use the paddle attachment and mix until thoroughly combined about 1 minute. The mixture should be soft but hold together well. If mixing by hand, use a sturdy wooden spoon and prepare for a brief arm workout until everything is uniformly combined.
- Form The Cookies:
- Use a small ice cream scoop or your hands to portion dough into golf ballsized pieces. Place them on prepared baking sheets allowing about 2 inches of space between each. These cookies spread somewhat but not dramatically. Press each cookie twice with the back of a fork to create the classic crisscross pattern, which helps them bake evenly.
- Bake To Perfection:
- Place both sheets in the oven and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges just begin to turn golden. This is crucial do not overbake. The cookies will seem very soft when removed from the oven, but they firm up considerably as they cool. Trust the process.
- Cool Completely:
- Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheets until completely cooled. This patience is rewarded with the perfect texture. Moving them too soon can cause breakage as they need this time to set properly.
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I have a particular fondness for adding a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top just before baking. My grandmother always said a touch of salt makes sweet things taste sweeter, and with these cookies, she was absolutely right. The contrast adds a gourmet touch to such a simple recipe.
Storage Solutions
These cookies keep wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, place completely cooled cookies in a freezer bag with parchment between layers to prevent sticking. They thaw quickly at room temperature whenever a craving strikes.
Perfect Peanut Butter
The quality of your peanut butter dramatically impacts these cookies. Commercial brands like Jif or Skippy work exceptionally well because their emulsifiers help maintain consistent texture. Natural peanut butter can work too, but make sure to stir it thoroughly before measuring and be prepared for slightly more crumbly cookies.
Flavor Variations
While perfect in their simplicity, these cookies welcome creative additions. Try folding in mini chocolate chips, chopped peanuts for extra crunch, or a dash of vanilla extract. For a festive touch, press a chocolate kiss into the center immediately after baking or drizzle cooled cookies with melted chocolate.
Historical Context
This style of flourless peanut butter cookie gained popularity during grain rationing periods when homemakers needed to create treats with minimal ingredients. The recipe has endured for its simplicity and delicious results, becoming a staple in American baking. Many families have passed down their version for generations.
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Commonly Asked Questions
- → Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Yes, you can use crunchy peanut butter, but it will change the texture of your cookies. They'll have small peanut pieces throughout, giving them a more rustic bite. The creamy version creates a more uniform texture, but both options deliver delicious results.
- → How do I store these peanut butter cookies?
Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- → Why do my cookies spread too much when baking?
Excessive spreading usually happens if the peanut butter is too warm or oily. Try chilling your dough for 30 minutes before baking. Also, make sure you're using commercial peanut butter rather than natural varieties that tend to separate, as these can affect cookie structure.
- → Can I reduce the sugar even further?
Yes, you can experiment with reducing the sugar to as little as 2/3 cup. Keep in mind that sugar affects not only sweetness but also texture and structure. Cookies with less sugar may be less crisp around the edges and have a slightly different mouthfeel.
- → Why do I need to press the cookies with a fork?
The traditional crisscross pattern created with a fork serves two purposes: it flattens the cookies so they bake evenly, and it creates the classic peanut butter cookie appearance. Without this pressing, the cookies would remain thick and might not cook through properly in the center.
- → Are these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, these cookies are naturally gluten-free as they contain no flour. Just ensure your peanut butter is processed in a gluten-free facility if you have celiac disease or severe gluten sensitivity. Always check packaging labels to confirm there's no risk of cross-contamination.