The 3 Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
That's it!
No flour, baking powder, baking soda, or butter is required.
What Kind of Peanut Butter Should You Use?
For the most consistent results, I recommend a commercial creamy peanut butter.
Natural peanut butter can work, but it tends to separate, with oil rising to the top. If you're using natural peanut butter, stir it extremely well before measuring.
Creamy peanut butter gives these blondies their smooth texture and makes mixing incredibly easy.
You can use crunchy peanut butter if you want little bits of peanuts throughout the blondies.
Tools You'll Need
You don't need any fancy equipment.
- 8x8-inch baking pan
- Mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Parchment paper
- Toothpick or cake tester
That's one of the reasons I love this recipe. Less equipment means fewer dishes!
How to Make 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blondies
Step 1: Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides.
The parchment makes the blondies much easier to lift out once they're cool.
You can lightly grease the pan first to help the parchment stay in place.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
Add the peanut butter, brown sugar, and eggs to a mixing bowl.
Stir until everything is thoroughly combined and the mixture looks smooth and evenly blended.
Don't worry if the batter looks thick. That's exactly what you want.
Step 3: Spread the Batter
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan.
Use a spatula to spread it evenly into the corners.
Because the batter is thick, taking a moment to smooth the surface will help the blondies bake more evenly.
Step 4: Bake
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20–25 minutes.
Start checking around the 20-minute mark.
The edges should look set, while the center may still have a slight softness to it.
A toothpick inserted near the center should come out with a few moist crumbs rather than completely wet batter.
Step 5: Cool Before Cutting
This is the hardest part!
Let the blondies cool in the pan before slicing.
As they cool, they'll firm up and become easier to cut cleanly.
For especially neat squares, allow them to cool completely before lifting them out using the parchment paper.
Then cut into 12–16 squares.
Easy Ways to Customize Them
Three ingredients are all you need, but that doesn't mean you can't have a little fun.
Add Chocolate Chips
Stir in ½ cup of semisweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips.
Peanut butter and chocolate are a classic combination for a reason!
Add Chopped Peanuts
For extra crunch, fold in ¼ cup of chopped roasted peanuts.
Add Peanut Butter Chips
A handful of peanut butter chips will intensify the peanut butter flavor.
Add a Little Vanilla
Although it technically turns this into a four-ingredient recipe, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract adds a lovely background flavor.
Sprinkle With Flaky Salt
A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt before baking creates that wonderful sweet-and-salty contrast.
Make Them Chocolate Peanut Butter
Add chocolate chips to the batter and drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled blondies.
Now we're talking!
Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Blondies
Measure the Brown Sugar Correctly
Pack the brown sugar firmly into your measuring cup.
Because there are only three ingredients, small differences in ingredient quantities can have a noticeable effect on the final texture.
Don't Overbake
This is probably the biggest secret to soft, chewy blondies.
Overbaking can make them dry and crumbly.
Take them out when the edges are set and the center is just cooked through.
Let Them Cool
The blondies continue to firm up as they cool.
If you cut them immediately, the center may seem softer than expected.
Use the Right Pan Size
An 8x8-inch pan gives you a nice thick blondie.
A larger pan will spread the batter more thinly and can reduce the baking time.
Don't Overmix
Stir just until the ingredients are combined.
There's no need to aggressively beat the batter.
How to Store Peanut Butter Blondies
Store cooled blondies in an airtight container at room temperature.
They should stay nicely textured for about 3–4 days.
For the softest texture, place a piece of parchment between layers if you're stacking them.
You can also refrigerate them if you prefer a firmer texture.
Can You Freeze 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blondies?
Absolutely.
Once the blondies have cooled completely, wrap individual pieces tightly or place them in a freezer-safe container.
Freeze for up to about 2–3 months for the best quality.
To serve, let them thaw at room temperature.
You can also warm a thawed blondie for a few seconds in the microwave if you want that freshly baked feel again.
Can I Make These Ahead?
Yes!
These blondies are a great make-ahead dessert.
Bake them a day ahead, allow them to cool completely, and store them in an airtight container.
In fact, letting them sit overnight can make the texture even more settled and chewy.
What to Serve With Peanut Butter Blondies
These little blondies are delicious on their own, but you can easily turn them into a more impressive dessert.
Try serving them with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Chocolate ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate sauce
- Caramel sauce
- Warm peanut butter drizzle
- Fresh strawberries
- Sliced bananas
- A dusting of powdered sugar
For a simple dessert after dinner, warm a blondie slightly and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top.
That combination is hard to beat!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Yes. Crunchy peanut butter works well if you enjoy little pieces of peanuts throughout the blondies.
Can I use natural peanut butter?
You can, but stir it very thoroughly before using it. Separated oil can affect the consistency of the batter.
Why are my blondies crumbly?
They may have been baked a little too long. These blondies are best when they're removed from the oven as soon as the center is set.
Why are my blondies gooey in the middle?
If the center is still raw rather than simply soft and chewy, they need a little more baking time. Oven temperatures can vary, so use the appearance and toothpick test as guides.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. A larger batch can be baked in a larger pan, but the baking time will need to be adjusted. Avoid simply doubling the batter in the same 8x8-inch pan because the blondies would become much thicker.
Can I make these gluten-free?
The recipe itself contains no wheat flour, but always check the labels on your peanut butter and other ingredients if you need to avoid gluten because formulations and cross-contact practices vary by brand.
Can I add chocolate chips?
Definitely! Add about ½ cup of chocolate chips for an easy peanut butter-and-chocolate version.
Are these blondies chewy or cakey?
They're intended to be soft and chewy, especially when they're not overbaked.
A Few More Easy Dessert Recipes to Try
If this three-ingredient recipe has you looking for more simple sweets, try:
- Cinnamon Sugar Dessert Pizza
- 3-Ingredient Crescent Brie Bites
- Chocolate Éclair Cake
- Salted Caramel Crackle
- Sweet Alabama Pecanbread
- Aunt Patty's 4-Ingredient Turtle Bars
Because sometimes you just need a dessert that doesn't require a dozen ingredients or an entire afternoon in the kitchen.
Final Thoughts
These 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blondies are exactly the kind of recipe I love having tucked away.
They're quick, inexpensive, simple, and incredibly satisfying.
You don't need a mixer. You don't need flour. You don't need a complicated list of ingredients sitting on the counter.
Just peanut butter, brown sugar, eggs—and a little patience while they bake.
The result is a pan of soft, chewy, peanut-buttery blondies that are perfect with coffee, great for sharing, and dangerously easy to make again.
And once you try them with chocolate chips?
Don't say I didn't warn you!
Did You Make These Peanut Butter Blondies?
If you make this recipe, I'd love to hear how it turned out!
Leave a review and let me know whether you kept them simple or added your own twist.
And if you take a photo, share it on Pinterest so other peanut butter lovers can discover this easy dessert too. Seeing your creations is one of the best parts of sharing recipes!
Approximate Nutrition Information
Based on 16 servings and without optional additions, each blondie contains approximately:
- Calories: 150–170
- Protein: 4–5g
- Carbohydrates: 18–21g
- Fat: 7–9g
- Saturated fat: 2–3g
- Fiber: 1–2g
- Sugar: 15–17g
- Sodium: 100–150mg
Actual nutrition will vary depending on the specific peanut butter and brown sugar used and the size of each serving.
