Skip To Main ContentMasterClass logo
|Articles
At Work
Log In
Sign Up
Food

Cookie Recipe: Easy Three-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies

Written by MasterClass

Last updated: Nov 29, 2024 • 2 min read

Three-ingredient cookies are easy to make, requiring just a trio of pantry staples—such as flour, butter, and sugar—and can be endlessly customized.

Learn From the Best

Sign Up

What Is a Three-Ingredient Cookie?

Three-ingredient cookies are fast to prepare and require few ingredients. While some simple recipes may include a fourth pantry ingredient, like salt or the addition of a bit of water, the bulk of the cookie recipe is created using only three ingredients.

4 Varieties of Three-Ingredient Cookies

There are dozens of easy cookie recipes that have only three ingredients and plenty of choices to suit any taste preference. Options range from shortbread or sugar cookies to chocolate chip cookies or oatmeal cookies. Some are flourless, while others use only flour, butter, and sugar. Here are three common three-ingredient cookies:

  1. 1. Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies: For this simple recipe, combine mashed ripe bananas, old-fashioned oats, and chocolate chips.
  2. 2. Shortbread cookies: This variety uses butter, granulated sugar, and all-purpose flour.
  3. 3. Coconut macaroons: If you have a bag of shredded coconut, a can of sweetened condensed milk, and a pinch of salt (vanilla extract is optional), you can make tasty coconut macaroons.
  4. 4. Peanut butter cookie: This gluten-free, flourless peanut butter cookie is a fast and easy recipe. The final product is a chewy cookie with a sweet peanut butter taste.

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

email recipe
18 Ratings | Rate Now

makes

16 cookies

prep time

10 min

total time

23 min

cook time

8 min

Ingredients

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

  2. 2

    Line a cookie sheet or baking tray with parchment paper.

  3. 3

    In a large bowl, combine creamy peanut butter, white sugar or brown sugar, and the egg.

  4. 4

    Beat the mixture with a hand whisk or an electric mixer until all the ingredients are combined.

  5. 5

    Stir in the vanilla if you’re using it.

  6. 6

    Stir in the chocolate chips if you’re including them.

  7. 7

    Roll the cookie dough balls into 1-inch balls using the palms of your hands.

  8. 8

    Place the cookie balls on a lined baking sheet and press each one gently with a fork to create a crisscross pattern.

  9. 9

    Bake the cookies in the oven for 6–8 minutes until they’re golden brown.

  10. 10

    Let the cookies rest on the tray for 2–3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

  11. 11

    Allow the cookies to cool to room temperature on a cooling rack for about 15 minutes before you enjoy them.

  12. 12

    Store the remaining cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Become a better chef with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Dominique Ansel, Gabriela Cámara, Niki Nakayama, Chef Thomas Keller, Yotam Ottolenghi, Gordon Ramsay, Alice Waters, and more.