Table of Contents: 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Introduction: 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Imagine biting into a cookie that’s crispy on the edges, chewy in the center, and packed with rich peanut butter flavor… all with just 4 ingredients and 15 minutes of prep. These 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies: Easy to Make are the ultimate hack for busy bakers, midnight snackers, and parents wrangling tiny sous-chefs.
Did you know peanut butter cookies got their iconic fork-crisscross design in the 1930s to prevent them from puffing up? Today, we’re skipping the fuss but keeping the fun. Unlike my fancier Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies, this recipe is so simple you’ll memorize it after one batch. Perfect for gluten-free diets, pantry cleanouts, or when you need cookies STAT. Ready to bake magic? Let’s roll!
What is 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies: Easy to Make?
Why call it 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies: Easy to Make? Because even the name is too lazy to add a fifth step! (Kidding… sort of.) This recipe is like that friend who shows up to a potluck with store-bought wine but somehow becomes the life of the party.
Is it named after its minimalist charm? Its ability to save your sanity during a sugar emergency? Or the fact that it proves the age-old saying, “The way to someone’s heart is through their stomach… and also peanut butter”? Whatever the reason, these cookies are your golden ticket to dessert hero status. Don’t overthink it—just bake ’em!
Why You’ll Love This 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies: Easy to Make
- Simplicity Rules: No flour, no butter, no weird substitutions. Just peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Even your kid can mix this dough (and probably will).
- Wallet-Friendly Wins: Store-bought peanut butter cookies cost 5abox.Thisbatch?Under5abox.Thisbatch?Under2. Cha-ching!
- Flavor That Slaps: These aren’t shy cookies. They’re nutty, sweet, and begging to be dunked in milk—or crumbled over ice cream.
Prefer a crunchier twist? Swap the sugar for coconut sugar (like in my 3-Ingredient Almond Butter Bites). But trust me: this OG version is chef’s kiss.
How to Make 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies: Easy to Make
Quick Overview
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Effort Level: “I’ve burned toast before… but not today!”
Key Ingredients
- Peanut Butter: Creamy or crunchy—your call. Natural PB works, but stick to no-stir brands for best texture.
- Sugar: Granulated for crisp edges, brown sugar for chew (yes, you can mix them!).
- Egg: Binds everything. For vegan swaps, see tips below.
- Vanilla: Optional, but adds warmth.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix It Up: Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Stir until smooth. Pro tip: Lick the spoon.
- Scoop & Smash: Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place on a parchment-lined tray. Flatten with a fork (crisscross = mandatory cookie cred).
- Bake: 350°F for 8–10 mins. They’ll look underdone—that’s GOOD. Let cool on the tray (patience, Padawan).
What to Serve With 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
- Classic: Ice-cold milk or coffee.
- Fancy: Sandwich with chocolate ganache or raspberry jam.
- Wildcard: Crumble over oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast (no judgment).
Top Tips for Perfecting 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
- Too Crumbly? Add 1 tbsp milk or extra peanut butter.
- Too Flat? Chill dough 30 mins before baking.
- Vegan Hack: Swap egg for 1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water.
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for 5 days (if they last that long).
- Freeze: Dough balls keep 3 months. Bake straight from frozen—add 2 mins to cook time.
- Revive Stale Cookies: Microwave 5 seconds. Boom: fresh-ish!
FAQs: 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies: Easy to Make
1. Can I use natural peanut butter?
Yes, but opt for a no-stir variety (like Skippy Natural) to avoid dry, crumbly dough. Natural PB separates—stir it vigorously before using!
2. How do I make these vegan?
Swap the egg for 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water (let sit 5 mins to thicken). Use vegan sugar, and voilà!
3. Can I reduce the sugar?
Absolutely! Cut sugar to ¾ cup for less sweetness, or use coconut sugar. They’ll be slightly denser but still delish.
4. Why are my cookies too crumbly?
Over-measuring PB or using “dry” brands (looking at you, powdered PB!). Add 1 tbsp milk or extra peanut butter to fix.
5. Can I add chocolate chips?
Go wild! Fold in ½ cup chips—but now it’s 5 ingredients. (Worth it? 100%.)
6. How long do these stay fresh?
5 days in an airtight container… if they survive your family’s snack attacks.
7. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes! Roll into balls, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake frozen—add 2 mins to cook time.
Conclusion: 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Let’s be real: the world needs more recipes that don’t require a PhD in baking or a pantry stocked with unicorn dust. These 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies: Easy to Make are your ticket to stress-free sweetness—whether you’re dodging a dessert emergency, feeding a cookie monster toddler, or just craving a nostalgic treat.
With their crispy-chewy texture, wallet-friendly ingredients, and literal 20-minute timeline, these cookies are proof that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. (Take that, French pastries!) Tag me on Instagram when you bake them—I live for those crisscrossed, peanut buttery masterpieces—and don’t forget to try my 3-Ingredient Nutella Cookies next. Because why complicate life when you can just… bake? 🥜🍪
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BEST 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
“Crispy edges, chewy centers, and just 4 ingredients! These 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies: Easy to Make are gluten-free, ready in 20 minutes, and perfect for beginners.”
Ingredients
- 1 cup (250g) creamy peanut butter (no-stir recommended)
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar (or brown sugar for chewiness)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix ingredients: In a bowl, combine peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Stir until smooth.
- Scoop dough: Roll into 1-inch balls (about 12 cookies). Place on the baking sheet.
- Flatten: Use a fork to press crisscross patterns onto each cookie.
- Bake 8–10 minutes until edges are golden (centers will look soft).
- Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
- Substitutions: Use flax eggs for vegan cookies, coconut sugar for lower glycemic index, or crunchy PB for texture.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container for 5 days or freeze dough balls for 3 months.
- Pro Tip: Chill dough 30 minutes if too sticky.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: 4 ingredient peanut butter cookies, easy peanut butter cookies, gluten-free cookies, quick cookie recipe