These gluten free peanut butter cookies call for just 4 ingredients and you can’t tell they are GF. Add the amazing chocolate frosting for something extra.
This post was originally published in October of 2014. I’ve made some minor updates to the post in October of 2024.
We don’t generally cook gluten free recipes but when I tried these cookies the first time I didn’t even realize they were gluten free! Not only were they the best peanut butter cookies I had ever eaten but they were crazy easy.
Easy Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies
I’ve been baking these cookies for more than 10 years now and they are the only peanut butter cookies I make! If I bring them to a party alongside something like chocolate chip cookies these are always gone first – they are that good!
In my utopia peanut butter cookies come with chocolate frosting. I’m of the opinion that all of you would like my utopia so I have made these with a rich frosting that will satisfy any chocolate lover. This is the same frosting on my Dad’s famous Texas Sheet Cake – so chocolaty and amazing.
These cookies are perfect for people who are not experienced in the kitchen, for busy families who need something fast, and for special diets. I made a big batch and shared them around with lots of people and they were a hit. Make sure you save this recipe for the busy holiday baking season that is coming up. It is always great to have an easy cookie recipe on hand.
More Cookie Recipes to Love:
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
- Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Easy Chocolate Caramel Cookie Bars
- Chocolate Chocolate No Bake Cookies
4 Ingredient Gluten FreePeanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups peanut butter creamy or crunchy
- 2 cups granulated sugar (plus additional sugar to press cookies flat)
- 2 eggs
- 2 Tablespoons vanilla extract
For The Frosting
- ½ cup butter
- 1/3 cup milk
- 4 Tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (this is a 1 pound bag of powdered sugar)
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- To Make The Cookies: Preheat the oven to 375 F. Line three cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Combine peanut butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly with a spoon.
- Use a 1oz cookie scoop to make balls of dough. Dip a water glass in sugar and use it to press each cookie to about 1/4" thick. Continue to dip the glass in sugar between each cookie.
- Bake in preheated oven for 9-10 minutes. Cookies will look puffy and edges will be barely starting to brown. Do not overcook. Remove sheets and set aside to cool.
- To Make The Frosting:Add the butter to a medium sauce pan and turn the stove to medium-heat. Add the milk, and baking cocoa.
- Whisk until the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar and vanilla. Continue until all lumps are gone and the frosting is smooth.
- Use a serving spoon to ladle the hot frosting over each cookie immediately. Allow the frosting to set and then store in a single layer in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Your Rating Matters
When you leave a comment or star rating, it means more than you might think. It helps me understand what you’re enjoying, builds trust for other readers, and supports real, tested cooking content. If you have a moment, I’d truly appreciate you sharing your experience. - Mirlandra
Nutrition Estimate
A Note on Nutrition
Nutritional info is an imperfect estimate. Please take it with a grain of salt.
Angela says
I like the addition of the frosting on top. Very nice! http://www.bygracecakes.com
Mirlandra says
Thank you! When I was a girl my father always frosted his peanut butter cookies and that was my favorite part. Now I really can’t make peanut butter cookies without the frosting!
Deana says
You can half the sugar and the cookies work great! It’s the Kraft recipe. I love the chocolate frosting! Nothing better than Chocolate and Peanut butter!!
Mirlandra says
That is great to know!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
What is not to love about an easy peanut butter and chocolate treat?!!
Mirlandra says
Exactly!
Lisa @ Low Carb Yum says
This is a nice simple recipe for peanut butter cookies. They look even better frosted. Peanut butter and chocolate. What could be better? Yum!
Mirlandra says
For me it’s all about the frosting! It just makes life better…
Christie says
What an easy cookie recipe. Plus the frosting totally takes it over the top.
Mirlandra says
Thanks, Christie! I could not agree more.
Shannon @ Dinner from the Heart says
Peanut butter cookies and chocolate must also be part of my utopia! These look and sound so delicious. I’m sure I have a houseful of boys who would have a hard time waiting for them to cool! 🙂
Mirlandra says
Maybe these are one of those cookies you just have to serve warm 🙂
Miranda @ Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt says
Chocolate and peanut butter. Did you make this just for me? These cookies sound amazing and include my top two weaknesses!
Mirlandra says
Of course! 🙂
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
I do love a good easy pb cookie variation, but your frosting really does take this over the top Mirlandra. And that picture, so pretty!
Mirlandra says
Thank you!
Vanessa says
DELICIOUS & SO EASY!!! This is the 2nd time i make this recipe, but the first time with the chosolate frosting. The first time I made these, I added Nutella on top. HUGE hit. I truly love these cookies both ways, and both times they got rave reviews from all who tried them.
Mirlandra says
Hey Vanessa! Thanks for taking time to say hi and for rating the recipe 🙂 I’m so excited you enjoyed these so much and now I HAVE to try Nutella! What a perfect pair! Stay in touch – I will be sharing my chocolate cupcakes and strawberry buttercream soon 🙂
Savannah says
Yum, yum, yum! You can never go wrong with a peanut butter cookie – and then to top them with chocolate frosting! Perfection. Can’t wait to give these a try <3
Mirlandra says
Thank you!