I call these cookies Mother Hubbard Cookies because they are what I make when the cupboards are bare. These peanut butter cookies are fast, easy, and only use 3 ingredients. They are perfect for when you want to make a quick treat for unexpected company.
We like to roll our peanut butter cookie dough balls in sugar before flattening them with a fork. If you roll them in sugar, you don't have to grease the pan. If you don't want to take the time to do this extra step, then you can grease the baking sheet instead.
This recipe can be doubled or tripled easily. If you choose to make a large batch, you can freeze the extra cookies in an air-tight freezer bag for up to 6 months.
These peanut butter cookies are naturally gluten-free and dairy-free making them a frugal treat for those who have to avoid gluten and dairy.
Variations on 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies:
- Add 1/2 – 1 cup of nuts
- Add 1/2 – 1 cup of chocolate chips
- Substitute another nut butter for the peanut butter
- Substitute sunflower seed butter for peanut butter
- Melt 1 cup of chocolate chips and coat the baked (and cooled) cookies in the melted chocolate covering one half of each cookie.
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
- extra sugar for rolling cookie dough balls
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease the cookie sheets if not rolling the cookies in sugar.
- In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients together until they are well blended.
- Drop Tablespoon size balls on to the cookie sheet into a bowl of sugar, roll to coat. Place the cookie dough on a baking sheet. Flatten the cookie dough with a fork.
- Bake for 12 – 14 minutes or until golden brown. Place cookie sheet on a cooling rack for several minutes, then remove the cookies and let them finish cooling on the cookie rack. Makes 2 dozen.
More Easy Cookie Recipes:
Chai Spiced Meringues
Egg-Free Almond Cookies
Flourless Chocolate Walnut Cookies
What are your favorite desserts to make when your cupboards are bare?
Melissa says
June 24, 2010 at 10:53 amOoh, I hope to try these today! My husband gave me a set of cookie stamps for Mother's Day, and I'm looking for a non-shortbread recipe that I can use with them. Thanks for the easy recipe!
Annie Jones says
June 24, 2010 at 12:18 pmI've seen them called Depression Cookies, too. Good recipe!
Sheila says
June 24, 2010 at 12:52 pmI love peanut butter cookies but had no idea they could be that simple to make. I will definitely try these!! Thanks for sharing.
Angela says
June 24, 2010 at 4:42 pmI'm definitely going to make these for my husband this weekend- I'm just wondering why they don't need any flour, baking soda, or baking powder.
Alea says
June 24, 2010 at 5:18 pmAngela- Ground nuts are often used as a flour substitue in gluten free baking. You do not need to add oils because the ground nuts already contain it and they nut flours do not require much if any baking soda.
Melissa says
June 24, 2010 at 6:23 pmThese cookies turned out great! Thanks!
Angela says
June 24, 2010 at 7:00 pmWow. That is awesome- I can't wait to try the recipe- thanks!
Rebecca says
June 25, 2010 at 12:01 amIf it wasn't 91° here right now, I might be tempted to make these tonight. I can hardly believe they would turn out, so I am motivated by Melissa's comment that they were great. Of course, not that I don't trust you, Alea… 🙂
Elizabeth says
June 25, 2010 at 12:37 amI made this for dessert tonight. Quick and easy to make. They taste great.
Alea says
June 25, 2010 at 1:12 amMelissa and Elizabeth – I am so glad that you liked this recipe! Melissa, I like your idea of using a cookie stamp. I bet your cookies look great!
Anonymous says
June 25, 2010 at 3:04 amOur favorite recipe is very similar: 1 cup pb, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, 12 oz bag chocolate chips. I bake them in a pan like brownies.
Alea says
June 25, 2010 at 3:28 amThat sounds delicious! I will give it a try this weekend.
Melodie says
June 25, 2010 at 4:01 amI've never heard of these easy-peasy cookies. I will have to give them a go! Are they soft? I am going to assume so since there is no flour. Can I use all natural PB? I hope so….. I invite you to come and link up at my Vegetarian Foodie Fridays carnival if you'd like too. I'd love to have you. Thanks! I'm at http://www.breastfeedingmomsunite.com
Alea says
June 25, 2010 at 4:20 amMelodie, The recipe actually makes a crunchy cookie. I always bake with organic (no sugar added) peanut butter.
Mama Eva says
June 25, 2010 at 11:20 amWOW! This is the recipe I use! It is so easy, the kids can help and they are done so quick! I have used peanut butter that is just ground nuts (like from the deli at my grocery store), and I have used stuff like Peter Pan peanut butter and both are great. Though I would suggest if it is a brand with lots of additives (like sugar or molasses), then use less than 1 cup of sugar in the recipe. I think it also works with stuff like Sunbutter or almond butter, for those with peanut allergies 😉
Struggler says
June 25, 2010 at 3:37 pmAwesome! Who knew just 3 ingredients could make cookies? Love this!
ButterYum says
June 25, 2010 at 4:34 pmWhat could be easier?!! Going onto my baking list for the week. Thanks for posting such a cool recipe.
Happy Foodie Friday!
🙂
ButterYum
Alea says
June 25, 2010 at 7:58 pmMama Eva, Great advice on reducing the sugar when using PB that contains sugar. Thanks for the suggestion to use other nut butters. I think this recipe would be delicious with almond butter!
Melinda says
June 26, 2010 at 3:29 pmThese do looks incredibly easy! I have 4 extra girls here for the weekend – sounds like a fun baking project!
Dave says
June 26, 2010 at 10:56 pmGreat recipe, I think I need to buy some more peanut butter!
gnee says
June 27, 2010 at 3:30 pm1,2,3, what a snap! I've got to try these…never seen such a simple recipe before and your cookies look delicious!
Porch Days says
July 15, 2010 at 1:47 amCan a recipe really be this simple? Have to try it!
Heidi says
January 24, 2012 at 11:13 amI wonder if they would turn out okay if I used Splenda instead of sugar? Has anyone tried it?
Alea says
January 24, 2012 at 11:20 amI haven’t tried it, but I would also love to hear from someone who has.
chris yeah a cool gluten free cookie I'm excited says
February 15, 2012 at 9:17 amThanks a new gluten free recipe my grandaughter will love.
Tyra says
November 6, 2013 at 2:05 pmExcited to try!
Tammy says
December 23, 2013 at 11:44 pmI’m getting ready to make the 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies. I cannot wait to see how they turn out!!!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS everyone.
marley says
August 3, 2014 at 2:03 pmThese actually turned out great there really good but mine made two dozen mmmm so good
Alison says
July 19, 2015 at 9:29 pmThese look so good! Can’t wait to try the recipe!
Kati says
July 20, 2015 at 10:28 amThese look delicious and I love that the kids can easily help without me being afraid they’ll mess them up! Pinning!
~Taylor-Made Ranch Homestead~ says
July 23, 2015 at 5:35 amLove this quick & easy peanut butter cookie recipe – and what fun it will be to make them with my grandbabies. Thanks for sharing! (visiting from Idea Box Thursday hop)
~Taylor-Made Ranch Homestead~
Texas
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai says
July 27, 2015 at 8:18 amLOVE peanut butter cookies! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty – we love partying with you! Hope to see you next Friday. 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Vicki says
January 7, 2017 at 9:07 amThese cookies are amazingly easy to make, and delicious!! Also, very cheap to make?