These Peanut Butter Date Cookies are the easiest cookies you’ll ever make. They’re sugar-free, gluten-free, require just four ingredients, and you don’t even need a bowl!
[April 2015]
I have been rushing around like a mad woman!
But, I have had so much fun preparing for my sisters bridal weekend. Today, one of the tasks my mom and I had to (wanted to) check off our to-do list was to get our nails done. Warning…this gets graphic.
Okay, so my middle toenail on my right foot came off from running recently. If you don’t run, this is completely disgusting and too much information for you. If you are an avid runner, you get it. Either way, my toenail is gone and I had to awkwardly explain to the nail technician why my toenail was missing. But, she just politely laughed and painted over the area, making it appear as though nothing was missing. Don’t worry, no photo will be shared.
I had 20 minutes to spare today and wanted to whip up a quick batch of peanut butter cookies. We are having a ton of family come into town tomorrow and Friday, and I think it’s nice to have little snacks and desserts for people when they visit. Whether my Cuban grandfather will reach for peanut butter and date cookies, I don’t know, but it’s worth a try.
[UPDATE]
Hi, friends! I’m coming at you with a recipe repurpose. I made these Peanut Butter Date Cookies in April 2015, and decided they needed a makeover. I think you’d agree – here’s an original photo:
Meep.
I thought these bad boys deserved some routine maintenance – they’re so frickin’ good and so ridiculously easy. Not to mention, they’re good for you! These cookies are
Sweet
Chewy
Gluten/grain-free
Refined sugar-free
QUICK (15 mins)
This time I used crunchy peanut butter, and although everything is run through a food processor, it did make a bit of a textural difference (in a good way!). Definitely try it out if you have some!
These cookies remind me of my college days, my pre-food blogger days, when I would make healthier desserts all. the. time. I have SUCH a sweet tooth, and I had so much more time on my hands in those days, so I was constantly baking and experimenting. I guess food blogging was my destiny!
I’m such a sucker for a yummy treat to enjoy while relaxing the night, especially if it’s got healthy, wholesome ingredients. Don’t get me wrong – I could go for some of these or this at any time, but sometimes ya gotta take a break from the indulgences (because moderation, duh).
[Tweet “The EASIEST cookies you’ll ever bake”]
- 1 cup natural peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and prepare a cookie sheet.
- Put dates into a food processor and process until crumbles form.
- Add in peanut butter, vanilla, and egg.
- Continue blending until a ball forms.
- Use an ice cream scoop to scoop out dough. Roll with your hands into a ball then press to flatten.
- Press each cookie with a fork to form a criss-cross (optional).
- Bake for 10 minutes.
Join the conversation:
What’s the easiest recipe you’ve ever made?
What do you like to provide when people come over for dinner?
Did you like this recipe? Pin it for later!
Georgie says
I’ll take 50! Love dates, love nut butter, love cookies I can’t imagine not loving these. I also love the photos. I’m always nervous bringing desserts to family gatherings in fear of being judged but it’s the BEST feeling when they go over well.
PATRICIA SMITH says
Wow! I was craving dates and these cookies are amazing nit too sweet just enough dates and pb. Love them!!
ACKTIVE LIFE says
I think I need to send you some NuttZo so that you can try this recipe and others with my favorite nut butter! Cause these cookies with them would be ridiculous!!! I hope that you were able to have some when you were with Georgie. If you’re interested, please email me at: katie@nuttzo.com and we can talk nut butter LOVE! XOXO
The Blissful Balance says
I have some NuttZo here!! I think I have a couple of jars from our BGB giveaway, if not I’ll totally hit ya up ;D
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
Peanut butter cookies are the BEST and now I want to try them with crunchy peanut butter. Gosh I haven’t even had crunchy PB in so long…now I miss it!
The Blissful Balance says
I hadn’t either until I recently bought a big ass jar of crunchy thinking it was creamy. I was pissed but then I used it in place of creamy for some recipes and the angels sang.
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie says
LOVE how simple and easy this recipe is! And I always have these 4 ingredients on hand so I can definitely see myself baking these soooon
The Blissful Balance says
This is the ultimate lazy Christina cookie recipe hahah it gets pretty bad sometimes, but good things come of it I guess 😀 Thanks Brie!!
Amanda @ Anchored to Sunshine says
Dates in a cookie? I’m hooked! Especially since there are only 4 ingredients needed I will have to give these a try!
The Blissful Balance says
I hope you like them!! Thanks Amanda <3
Lauren says
I love anything that is super easy and looks as yummy as these do!
The Blissful Balance says
Thank you Lauren!!
Claire @ My Pink & Green Life says
These look incredible! I’ve never seen a PB cookie recipe without heaps of brown sugar in them before so I will definitely be trying these out!
The easiest recipe I’ve ever made is this “cheesy quinoa bakes” recipe from one of my favorite bloggers. When we’re really pressed for time, we pare down the recipe to four ingredients. And somehow they still manage to taste incredible!
The Blissful Balance says
Ohhhh I will definitely have to try that, sounds right up my alley!
Diana @ Live Lean Eat Green says
Pinned! I can’t get over how easy these are to make and I’m currently obsessed with sweetening everything with dates…YUM!
The Blissful Balance says
Dates are the bestttt, a lot of times I just dip them into my peanut butter jar lolol
Jamie @ Dishing Out Health says
I can’t get over the simplicity of these delicious-looking rounds of joy. If only they could magically appear in front of me right about now. Pinned!
The Blissful Balance says
Hehe thanks so much Jamie!! We should have a cookie party 😀
Megan Hallier says
Yay I’m just so excited because I love peanut butter so much. Any cookie that has it in it is a winner in my book 😀
The Blissful Balance says
Me. Too. I used to sneak a spoonful of it when I was a kid, all the time. Now I’m an adult and don’t have to sneak it lolz
Cailee says
These cookies look so delicious! And I love that they are only 4 ingredients!! What a perfect recipe Also, sorry about your toenail! And CONGRATS to your sister! That’s so exciting!
xoxo Cailee!
The Blissful Balance says
Haha my toenail – I can’t believe I wrote about that last year LOL. Thanks girl!
Kim | Unrefined RD says
These cookies look amazing and I love that they only require 4 ingredients! And I’ve totally been there with losing a toenail, haha. The incident happened during my first marathon, but at least that was the worst of my injuries.
The Blissful Balance says
Oh gosh!! DURING a race, you’re a trooper!! I haven’t been running much lately, but you can always tell when I’m back into it by my feet LOL
Emily says
Woah, these are like the normal peanut butter cookies (simple ones) except they don’t have sugar. I love that dates are packed with sugar, and I love that you repurposed this recipe. In my opinion, both pictures from 2015 and 2016 look really good, and your photography is just blossoming Christina. You truly do an excellent job, and yay for sweet tooth partners in crime! I LOVE anything sweet. <3
The Blissful Balance says
Thank you so much Emily! I love anything easy, I’m such a lazy cook haha. I hope you like these if ya try ’em!
Meah says
Woah girl, you’re photography has improved so much! You should be so proud of how your blog has grown . I love using nut butter in cookie recipes since they never require many other ingredients. I haven’t really seen dates used in a baked cookie recipe before though and I love the idea! Perfect way to use natural sugars. I’m thinking of also folding some dark chocolate chips into the dough since PB & chocolate is always a dynamic duo.
xxMeah
The Blissful Balance says
Aw thank you so much <3 Yeeeeees you should totally do that let me know how it comes out!! xo
Lili says
I cannot wait to make these! Just curious if I missed the 5th ingredient though…or is there just four? The title for the recipe is “5-Ingredient Peanut Butter & Date Cookies”, just want to make sure I have all ingredients on hand before starting them.
Sarah says
I think this is a great recipe, I just made them and felt they needed a little more sweetness to it- any suggestion? I’m thinking honey or molasses?
Hadia says
Christina! These look really so good! Join our pinterest board if you like! https://www.pinterest.com/hadiascuisine/yummy-and-more/
Alexa deMonterice says
I’m sorry, but these are terrible. Burnt on the bottom, raw in the middle and not sweet. Since I refuse to throw out food that isn’t spoiled, we’re using them as ice cream topping or slathered with jam to kill the taste. This was basically a waste of time and good ingredients.
The Blissful Balance says
Did you follow the recipe exactly?
Suzanne says
This looks so good! I can’t believe that the texture can be made from only those 5 ingredients! What a great treat to keep around!
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Do they keep long?
Jeff Campbell says
I don’t think it gets better than simple 15-minute cookies that are both grain-free and free of refined sugars! I can’t wait to try this recipe tonight!
The best part is I already had some pitted dates leftover from another recipe, so I have all the ingredients on hand.
Thanks for sharing!
Jeff