3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

There are days when you want to bake something sweet, soft, warm, and chocolatey—but you don’t want to pull out half the pantry to make it happen. That’s exactly when these 3-ingredient peanut butter blossom cookies shine. This unbelievably simple recipe transforms three everyday ingredients into soft, chewy cookies topped with rich chocolate. No mixer. No chilling. No complicated steps. Just mix, scoop, bake, and enjoy.

Whether you’re a beginner baker, a busy parent, a college student with a tiny kitchen, or someone who simply loves fast dessert ideas, this recipe becomes an instant favorite. It’s also perfect for last-minute gatherings, cookie exchanges, or a quick treat for family movie night.

Despite being made with only three ingredients, these peanut butter blossoms are wonderfully soft, full of peanut butter flavor, and beautifully topped with a chocolate kiss or drop. They hold their shape, bake in minutes, and taste impressively close to the classic holiday cookie—without all the measuring and mixing.

Let’s get into what makes these cookies so magical, so easy, and so irresistibly snackable.

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Why Make 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies?

Most peanut butter blossom recipes require a long ingredient list: flour, baking soda, butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, and more. Delicious, yes—but time-consuming.

This version? Totally simplified.

These cookies are perfect for:

Last-minute baking

Guests coming in 30 minutes? These are ready before the doorbell rings.

Kids and teens learning to bake

With minimal ingredients and simple instructions, it’s a confidence-building recipe.

Holiday baking shortcuts

When your calendar is packed but you still want homemade treats.

Minimalist kitchens

Great for small spaces, dorm rooms, or Airbnbs with limited equipment.

Budget-friendly baking

You likely already have all three ingredients waiting in your pantry.

Small house cravings

No need to commit to 30+ cookies—this recipe makes a modest batch.

These cookies prove that baking doesn’t always require a major process—simple can still be spectacular.

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The Three Ingredients You Need

It might feel unbelievable, but yes—just three items:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  Not natural or oily peanut butter—use a thick, classic version for best structure.

• 1 cup granulated sugar
  (Or ¾ cup if you prefer slightly less sweetness.)

• 1 large egg
  This binds everything together and gives the cookies the perfect chewy texture.

For the topping

Chocolate kisses or chocolate drops (your choice!)
Not counted in the “3 ingredients” since they’re optional, but essential for making them blossoms.

That’s all you need to create soft, chewy, chocolate-centered cookies that taste like a bakery treat.

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How to Make 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

These cookies come together faster than preheating your oven. No mixer is required—just a spoon or spatula.

Step 1: Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix the Cookie Dough

In a mixing bowl, combine:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

Stir until fully combined. The dough will be thick, smooth, and slightly sticky.

Step 3: Shape the Cookies

Take small scoops of dough (1 to 1 ½ tablespoons each).
Roll into balls between your hands.

Optional: Roll each dough ball in sugar for a sparkly exterior.

Arrange on the baking sheet with space between each ball.

Step 4: Bake

Bake for 8–9 minutes.
The cookies should puff slightly and develop soft cracks on top.

Do not overbake—these cookies firm as they cool.

Step 5: Add the Chocolate

Immediately press a chocolate kiss or drop into the center of each warm cookie.
The heat of the cookie will soften the chocolate slightly, helping it adhere beautifully.

Step 6: Cool

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5–7 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

You now have a warm batch of 3-ingredient peanut butter blossom cookies ready to enjoy with milk, cocoa, tea, or just by the handful.

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What Makes These Cookies So Soft and Chewy?

Because the recipe lacks flour, the ingredients behave differently than typical cookie dough.

Here’s why they stay soft:

Peanut butter acts like fat and flour

It provides structure, moisture, richness, and chew.

Sugar creates the perfect texture

The sugar helps the cookies spread slightly and gives them a classic crackle on top.

Eggs bind everything

The egg creates the perfect chewy structure and keeps the cookies from becoming crumbly.

Even without butter or flour, these cookies bake up incredibly soft and tender.

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Are These the Original “3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies”?

Yes—this is the famous flourless peanut butter cookie recipe that’s gone viral again and again because it’s:

• simple

• fast

• gluten-free

• naturally rich and soft

• completely beginner-friendly

This version simply adds the chocolate kiss on top to transform them into full peanut butter blossoms.

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Tips for Perfect 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms

Even with only three ingredients, you can elevate the results with a few easy tricks.

Use thick, creamy peanut butter

Avoid drippy natural peanut butter—it causes cookies to fall apart.

Don’t overbake

Pull them out when still soft. They firm as they cool.

Let the chocolate set

Don’t stack them until the chocolate is fully firm.

Use parchment paper

Makes removing the cookies easier without breaking them.

Chill the chocolate kisses

Cold chocolate holds shape better when pressed into warm cookies.

Roll in sugar

Optional but adds a beautiful sparkle and slight crunch.

Keep dough balls small

Smaller cookies hold chocolate centers more attractively.

These tiny tweaks make a huge difference.

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Easy Flavor Variations

Want to boost or tweak the flavor while keeping the recipe simple? Here are fun options:

Add vanilla

½ teaspoon for a warm bakery-style aroma.

Add cinnamon or nutmeg

¼ teaspoon creates cozy holiday flavor.

Use crunchy peanut butter

Adds texture and nutty bits.

Swap the chocolate

Use chocolate disks, chocolate drops, caramel-filled candies, or dairy-free chocolate.

Roll in cinnamon sugar

For a snickerdoodle-style blossom.

Roll in festive sprinkles

Perfect for Christmas, birthdays, or themed parties.

Dip bottoms in melted chocolate

For extra sweetness and visual appeal.

Despite starting with only three ingredients, the possibilities become endless.

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Why These Cookies Are Great for Kids and Beginners

Parents love this recipe because:

• There are no complicated steps

• Kids get hands-on shaping dough

• Measuring is simple

• There’s no electric mixer required

• Kids love adding the chocolate kisses

Baking becomes a stress-free, fun activity instead of a mess-filled challenge.

College students also love this recipe because:

• Dorm kitchens are small

• Ingredients are cheap

• The recipe doesn’t require unusual tools

• It works for late-night studying snacks

This recipe has universal appeal.

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How to Store These Cookies

These cookies store beautifully and stay soft for days.

At room temperature

Place in an airtight container.
They stay soft for up to 5 days.

To keep them extra tender

Add a piece of soft bread to the container.
The cookies absorb moisture from the bread.

Freezing

These cookies freeze well either before or after baking.

Freeze baked cookies:

• Place cooled cookies in an airtight container

• Freeze up to 2 months

Freeze cookie dough balls:

• Roll dough balls and freeze on a tray

• Transfer to a freezer-safe bag and store up to 3 months

• Bake directly from frozen (add 1–2 minutes)

Easy to prep, easy to store, easy to enjoy any time.

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Troubleshooting Guide

Even simple recipes can have hiccups. Here’s how to fix common issues:

Cookies fall apart

Cause: natural peanut butter
Fix: use thick, processed-style creamy peanut butter.

Cookies spread too much

Cause: dough too warm
Fix: refrigerate 10 minutes before shaping.

Cookies too dry

Cause: overbaking
Fix: remove from oven as soon as the tops crack.

Chocolate kiss melts into a puddle

Cause: kisses were warm
Fix: refrigerate chocolate before pressing.

Dough too sticky

Cause: warm peanut butter or humid kitchen
Fix: chill dough for 10–15 minutes.

These quick fixes guarantee better results every time.

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Serve These Cookies in Fun Ways

Even simple cookies can look festive with a few creative ideas.

Holiday cookie trays

Use green, red, or gold sprinkles.

Mini dessert boards

Pair with hot cocoa, marshmallows, and fruit.

Teacher or neighbor gifts

Wrap in small tins or clear bags with ribbons.

Kid-friendly after-school snacks

Serve with milk or banana slices.

Party platters

Mix with chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, and pretzel treats.

These peanut butter blossoms fit into any occasion—from holiday parties to everyday cravings.

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Are 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Healthy?

They are naturally flourless and contain minimal ingredients, making them simpler and often lower in additives than packaged cookies.

They’re:

• gluten-free

• flourless

• free from dairy if chocolate topping is dairy-free

• free from added oils

• high in protein from peanut butter

They’re still a treat, but compared to many cookies, they’re more straightforward and less processed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use natural peanut butter?
You can, but results vary. The cookies may be crumbly. Thick peanut butter works best.

Can I make these dairy-free?
Yes—use dairy-free chocolate drops.

Can I reduce the sugar?
Yes. Use ¾ cup sugar for a slightly less sweet version.

What if I only have crunchy peanut butter?
It works! You’ll get extra texture.

Do I really need only three ingredients?
Yes. Peanut butter, sugar, and an egg create the full cookie dough.

How many cookies does the recipe make?
Usually 12–16 cookies depending on size.

Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely—just multiply ingredients evenly.

Can I make these into bars?
Yes. Press dough into a small baking dish and bake for 12–15 minutes, then top with chocolate.

Should I chill the dough?
Not required, but helpful if dough is too sticky.

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Why This Recipe Will Become Your Go-To

This recipe is everything modern bakers love: quick, minimal-ingredient, reliable, delicious, and endlessly adaptable. It’s the kind of recipe you memorize after making once, because it’s that easy.

You’ll come back to it again and again because:

• It makes soft, chewy cookies effortlessly

• It uses ingredients everyone has

• It saves time and cleanup

• It’s perfect for children, beginners, and busy people

• It tastes like a classic holiday favorite without the work

For holiday seasons, gift boxes, everyday snacks, or last-minute dessert plans, this recipe never fails. And once you see how easy it is, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it sooner.

These cookies prove that magic doesn’t require dozens of ingredients—just a great recipe and a little chocolate on top.