Let’s Get Real
So here’s the deal. I’ve never been the biggest fan of cookies. I know, I know. Sacrilege! But it’s true. Growing up, there was always this cookie jar in my house, permanently stocked with those dry, crumbly, store-bought specimens that left me questioning if I’d actually eaten a cookie or just dusted my mouth with sand. But then, one day, I stumbled upon the phenomenon that is the *3 Ingredients Peanut Butter Cookies*. Suddenly, my cookie world flipped upside down like a pancake on a Sunday morning.
These heavenly creations changed everything for me. Not only are they ridiculously easy to whip up, but they’re made from three humble ingredients that I always have on hand. I mean, who doesn’t have a jar of peanut butter hanging out in their pantry, possibly judging them for not using it sooner? Today, I’m going to share my newfound love with you, and trust me, once you make these cookies, you will find every excuse to keep them in your life. Plus, they are the ultimate “I’m an adult who knows how to bake, look at me!” flex that doesn’t require the skills of a pastry chef.
Ingredients, Unfiltered
**Peanut Butter:** The star of the show. You could go natural or processed, crunchy or smooth, but here’s my hot take — go for the natural stuff without added sugar. It’s creamier, and you’ll feel a bit healthier for it (seriously, it feels like a wellness win). My go-to is the organic stuff from the store that makes me feel like I’m eating kale and avocados, even though I’m just glorious peanut butter. Just make sure it’s fresh because stale peanut butter is like trying to bake with stale dreams — not ideal.
**Sugar:** The sweet sidekick in this trio. Now, before you judge, I’m giving you the liberty to swap it out. White sugar? Sure. Brown sugar? Absolutely! Feeling cheeky? Try maple syrup or honey. But let’s keep it real — these cookies need some sweetness to balance the savory glory of peanut butter. Without it, you’d just be left with a sad glob of gooey disappointment.
**Egg:** The glue that holds this love affair together. It’ll make your cookies nice and chewy, giving you that perfect cookie texture. No substitutions here — the egg plays a supporting role that you simply can’t skip. Well, unless you’re vegan, in which case you might want to try a flax egg or applesauce. But, come on, it’s 3 ingredients; let’s not overcomplicate things too much!
Let’s Talk Health (or Not)
Now, I hear you asking if this recipe is healthy. Why yes, let’s go there. Sure, there’s sugar, and of course, peanut butter is technically a fat, so you might be sweating your way through a health debate if you overthink it. But here’s the kicker — these cookies are a TRILLION times better than any store-bought nonsense. And yes, I just pulled that figure out of thin air, but trust me on this.
You could whip yourself into a little frenzy about how many calories are in a cookie — or you could just live your life and enjoy a warm, gooey piece of art you just created. Plus, they are gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and vegan if you swap the egg! So who even needs a gym membership when you can have the *life-affirming delight* of these cookies instead?
Your Grocery List
Here’s What You’ll Need
– **1 cup peanut butter**
– **1 cup sugar** (or sub your sweetener of choice)
– **1 large egg** (or substitute if you’re going that route)
– A sprinkle of sea salt (optional, for that extra flair)
– Cooking spray or parchment paper for the baking sheet
This batch yields about 12 to 15 cookies, depending on how ambitious your spooning skills are, and how much you believe in treating yourself!
The Actual Cooking Part
Okay, Let’s Make This
1. Preheat that oven of yours to 350°F (175°C). You don’t want to be stuck waiting around while your cookies melt into sad puddles on a cold baking sheet. Get a good vibe check going while your oven warms up. Maybe dance a little? I mean, those cookies deserve a little groove.
2. Grab a large mixing bowl and combine the **peanut butter**, **sugar**, and **egg**. Here’s the fun part: mix it all together until it’s a sticky, homogeneous mass. Yes, that’s a fancy word for “it looks like a peanut butter smoothie but thicker.” Want to know a secret? I sometimes mix in chocolate chips because ever heard of too much chocolate? No, me neither.
3. Don’t panic if this looks messy — it’s supposed to be a bit gloppy and sticky! If you want to avoid getting your hands all peanut buttery (which is a complete crime against snack-tastic pleasure), use a spoon or a spatula.
4. Now, line your baking sheet with **parchment paper** or give it a light spray of cooking spray. I’m convinced the magic happens here. If you’ve ever put batter directly onto a non-stick sheet and then had a panic attack when it all stuck, you already know what I’m talking about.
5. Take that glorious mixture and scoop out tablespoon-sized dollops onto the baking sheet. Leave some space between each cookie because, believe it or not, they do spread. I once got a bit too ambitious and ended up with an unintentional cookie fusion event. The horror!
6. Now, if you want to take these cookies from ordinary to iconic, here’s where the magic happens: use a fork to press down gently on each cookie, creating a crisscross pattern. Not only does it look cute, but it helps them cook evenly. And now you can pretend you’re a professional cookie artist.
7. If you want that sprinkle of sea salt on top for a gourmet touch (and I wholeheartedly suggest you do), now’s the time to add it. Because nothing makes a cookie better than salty-sweet action. Don’t be shy; go big or go home!
8. Slide your baking sheet into the preheated oven and let those beauties bake for about 10 minutes. Don’t get too comfy — keep an eye on them. You want them to be lightly golden brown around the edges. If you’re a little worried they look too puffy, don’t! They’ll flatten out while cooling.
9. Once they’re done, pull them out and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. I know this is agonizing, especially if you’re like me and would totally dive into the cookie pile straight from the oven. The wait is worth it, I promise!
Side Notes & Sassy Hacks
Bonus Tips You Didn’t Ask For
1. **Add-ins galore!** If you want to jazz up these peanut butter cookies, toss in some chocolate chips, crushed nuts, or even a bit of coconut flakes. Just remember, that will throw off the iconic “three ingredients” title. But hey, I won’t tell if you don’t!
2. **Storage Shenanigans:** These cookies hold up pretty well. You can store them in an airtight container for up to a week. **(If they last that long!)** If you want to freeze them, flash freeze them separately on a baking sheet first, then move them into a ziplock after they’re nice and frozen. They’ll last a good couple of months! You’ll have a secret stash ready for cookie cravings anytime.
3. **Dare to experiment:** Have a wild idea? Go for it. You want to try almond butter instead of peanut butter? Be my guest! Just remember, substitutions can be unpredictable, so channel that inner food scientist. Maybe take notes for the sake of future generations.
4. **Make ‘em mini:** Who said cookies can’t be a finger food? Scoop out even smaller dollops and make mini cookies. They’ll bake up way quicker, and then you can pretend that eating five of them is totally acceptable because they’re “small.” It’s all about perspective, people.
5. **Whip up a batch for friends/colleagues/anyone who needs cheering up:** Show up to work with these gems, and you’ll become the beloved snack hero of the break room. Don’t be shocked when people start asking for your secret cookie recipe — your fame will be well-deserved!
Final Words of (Culinary) Wisdom
So there you have it, folks. *3 Ingredients Peanut Butter Cookies* that are easy, delicious, and will make you feel like a culinary superstar in no time. If you try making these cookies, be sure to tag me—everyone loves a good food porn moment. Or just shoot me a mental high-five for cheering you on from my little corner of the internet. Honestly, you won’t just be craving these cookies; you’ll be obsessed. And who can blame you? They are the perfect blend of salty and sweet, soft and chewy. In other words, pure cookie magic.
Now, get in that kitchen and bake up something extraordinary! You’ve got this!
