Simple 3 Ingredient Cookies : 5 Easy Recipes Anyone Can Make

Recipe 1 : Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (substitute: almond butter or sunflower seed butter for allergies)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (substitute: coconut sugar for lower glycemic index)
• 1 large egg (substitute: flax egg for vegan option)

Recipe 2 : Nutella Cookies

• 1 cup Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (substitute: gluten-free flour blend)
• 1 large egg

Recipe 3 : Lemon Cake Mix Cookies

• 1 box lemon cake mix
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil (substitute: melted coconut oil for richer flavor)

Recipe 4 : Banana Oat Cookies

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (substitute: dried cranberries or raisins)

Recipe 5 : Condensed Milk Cookies

• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup melted butter (substitute: vegan butter for dairy-free)

Step 1 : Preheat and Prepare Your Workspace

Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This temperature works perfectly for most simple baking recipes , ensuring even browning without burning.

• Pro tip : Use a silicone baking mat instead of parchment for easier cleanup and perfectly consistent cookies every time.

Step 2 : Mix Your Three Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine your three ingredients according to your chosen recipe. For peanut butter cookies, blend the peanut butter, sugar, and egg until smooth and creamy. For Nutella cookies, mix the spread, flour, and egg until a soft dough forms.

• Important : Don’t overmix, which can make cookies tough. Stir just until ingredients are fully incorporated, about 30-45 seconds.

Step 3 : Form Uniform Cookie Portions

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out dough into equal-sized balls, roughly 1 to 1.5 tablespoons each. Place them 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets to allow for spreading.

• Data insight : Uniform sizing ensures cookies bake evenly, with studies showing that consistent portioning reduces baking time variance by up to 30%.

Step 5 : Add Optional Finishing Touches

Before baking, consider sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of chocolate-based cookies or pressing a few extra chocolate chips into banana oat cookies. These small additions elevate presentation without complicating the recipe.

• Chef’s secret : A light dusting of powdered sugar after cooling transforms simple cookies into elegant desserts.

Step 6 : Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 10-12 minutes for softer cookies or 13-15 minutes for crispier edges. Watch for visual cues: edges should be set and lightly golden, while centers may look slightly underdone. They’ll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet after removal.

• Critical timing : Overbaking by even 2 minutes can turn easy 3 ingredient cookies from chewy to hard.

Reduce Sugar :

• Cut sugar by one-third in peanut butter cookies and replace with mashed banana for natural sweetness
• Use sugar-free chocolate chips in banana oat cookies

Boost Nutrition :

• Add 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed or chia seeds to any recipe for omega-3s
• Mix in a handful of chopped walnuts or almonds for healthy fats and protein
• Substitute half the flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber

Accommodate Dietary Needs :

• Make them vegan by using flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water per egg)
• Choose certified gluten-free oats and flour blends for celiac-friendly options
• Replace condensed milk with coconut condensed milk for dairy-free versions

Smart Swaps :

• Use natural peanut butter instead of processed versions to eliminate added sugars
• Swap vegetable oil for applesauce in cake mix cookies to reduce fat by 50%
• Choose dark chocolate chips (70% cacao or higher) for antioxidant benefits

Short-Term Storage (Up to 1 Week) :

• Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature
• Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking
• Add a slice of bread to the container to maintain moisture and keep cookies soft
• Keep different cookie varieties in separate containers to preserve distinct flavors

Longer Storage (Up to 3 Months) :

• Freeze baked cookies in freezer-safe bags with air pressed out
• Label with baking date and cookie type for easy identification
• Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving
• Warm frozen cookies in a 150°C (300°F) oven for 5 minutes to restore freshness

Make-Ahead Strategy :

• Prepare cookie dough and portion into balls
• Freeze unbaked dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags
• Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to baking time
• This method gives you fresh-baked cookies on demand for up to 2 months

Maintaining Quality :

• Soft cookies stay fresher in plastic containers with tight seals
• Crispy cookies maintain texture better in containers with loose-fitting lids
• Never store cookies until completely cool, as trapped steam creates sogginess
• Refresh slightly stale cookies by microwaving for 10-15 seconds