Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe Without Brown Sugar

This peanut butter cookies recipe without brown sugar is also gluten free and requires only 3 ingredients! Super delicious, easy recipe requiring just a little bit of effort!

Original post: April 2015 | Updated: May 2023

Why This Recipe Works

All of you gluten free peeps who also have a sweet tooth are going to love me. This cookie recipe was born from a desire to serve gluten-free individuals with minimal ingredients and effort.

• Only 3 simple ingredients are needed to throw this recipe together. Dessert could not possibly be any easier.
• This easy peanut butter cookie recipe requires very little effort on your end and just a single bowl.
• No hand mixer is required!
• As simple as it is, the peanut butter flavor is out of this world!
• This classic cookie is the best thing that will enter your cookie jar this year!
• No all purpose flour (or ANY flour, for that matter), baking soda, baking powder required!

Recipe Ingredients

Sugar – Only 1 cup of sugar is needed for this recipe. No brown sugar required! Replace half of the granulated sugar with another sweetener such as honey or maple syrup, if desired.

Substitute a portion of the white sugar with light or dark brown sugar for added texture, taste and chewiness.

Peanut Butter – 1 cup of peanut butter is required for this recipe. Use creamy peanut butter or chunky peanut butter for a chunkier cookie. Natural peanut butter or almond butter can also be used.

Egg – Use a room-temperature egg for best results. Take it out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before you start combining ingredients. If you wish to eliminate the egg from the recipe, replace it with a mashed banana.

Vanilla extract and a pinch of salt – These ingredients are 100% optional, but will add a burst of flavor to these flourless peanut butter cookies.

How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies Without Brown Sugar

Peanut butter, sugar and an egg are the only ingredients you need for this recipe. If you want to get super crazy, add vanilla and salt.

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. No electric or stand mixer required! Stir with a spoon until creamy and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes so it firms up a bit. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

Step 2

Form 1-inch cookie dough balls using your hands and place onto prepared baking sheet Press the back of a fork into each dough ball in a criss-cross pattern (spray fork with cooking spray, if needed) to create that trademark hash mark.

Bake cookies for 10 minutes at 350 degrees F, or until golden brown around the edges. Let cool to room temperature on a wire rack or enjoy warm cookies with milk!

Recipe Notes

• Freeze dough for later use, if desired. Double wrap in plastic wrap, a ziploc bag or store in an airtight container and freeze for up to 6 months.
• Use a medium cookie scoop to create consistently sized cookies.
• This is a great dessert to make for people who enjoy a gluten-free diet.
• Add a mashed banana to the batter to add flavor, if desired.
• Semi sweet chocolate chips or peanut butter chips can easily be added to the cookie batter.
• If you don’t love the idea of cleaning out a measuring cup with PB stuck inside it, eyeball the amount you add to the bowl. One cup is just a recommendation and you really won’t be able to mess these easy cookies up.

How To Moisten Peanut Butter Cookie Dough

If your cookie dough is dry and crumbly, add a teaspoon of liquid such as water, milk or oil to the dough and mix until incorporated.

What Does Brown Sugar Do In Cookies

Brown sugar is meant to sweeten cookies. It is easily packable, ensuring air or gas does not get trapped in the mixture. This can help to create more moist, chewy cookies.

How To Freeze Peanut Butter

Peanut butter can be frozen. Scoop into ice cube trays and transfer to resealable freezer bags once frozen. Another option is to freeze in larger amounts in mason jars.

When you’re ready to use it, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Are Peanut Butter Cookies Healthy

The sugar used in peanut butter cookies keeps them from being labeled as “healthy,” but there are ways to increase healthy points. Use less sugar, replacing a portion of it with a natural sweetener such as honey or maple syrup.

Experiment with eliminating as much sugar as possible, while adding more natural ingredients that add sweetness.

Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter Cookies

As long as the cookies contain no chocolate, dogs can eat peanut butter cookies.

How To Make Peanut Butter Cookies Without Eggs

If you wish to omit the eggs from peanut butter cookies, replace each egg used with 1 ripe, mashed banana.

Best Cookie Recipes

Below is a list of a handful of my favorite cookies to add to your baking to-make list!

• These delicious Chewy Gingersnaps are the perfect chewy treat. Enjoy making these, as they are the perfect holiday baking cookie recipe!
• These are the best Sugar Cookies. They are super easy to make (using only 7 ingredients) and they are perfect for decorating. You will never need another sugar cookie recipe again!
• These Chocolate Kiss Cream Cheese Cookies are a great dessert for gatherings any time of the year. They are light, creamy and sugary, with just the perfect kiss of milk chocolate!
• Hot Cocoa Cookies are like enjoying a cup of hot chocolate, except in cookie form. Chocolate oozes from the centers of these marshmallow-topped treats. Perfect for holiday parties and dessert trays!
• Oreo Balls are an easy no-bake dessert requiring only three ingredients! This easy dessert is great for the holidays or any time of year.
• These are the best oatmeal cookies you will find! This recipe is tried and tested and the cookies come out of the oven perfect and ready to devour every single time.

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If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!