These peanut butter cookies come together using just four simple ingredients: a box of dry yellow cake mix, creamy peanut butter, oil, and eggs. Mixing everything directly in one bowl creates a soft dough ready to shape and bake.
Rolled into balls and pressed with a classic fork pattern, the cookies bake at 350 F until the edges turn lightly golden while the centers stay soft as they cool.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Requires only four everyday ingredients with no separate flour or leavening needed.
Mixes together easily in a single large bowl until a soft dough forms.
Features the traditional crisscross fork design on every cookie.
Bakes in just 10 to 12 minutes on parchment-lined baking sheets.
Why This Recipe Works
Using dry yellow cake mix provides the base structure and sweetness without measuring individual dry ingredients. Combining it with creamy peanut butter, eggs, and vegetable or canola oil forms a cohesive, soft dough. Baking at 350 F (175 C) sets the edges to a light golden finish while allowing the soft centers to firm up properly as they sit on the warm baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Ingredients for 4-Ingredient Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies
How to Make It: 4-Ingredient Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies
Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, creamy peanut butter, oil, and eggs until a soft dough forms.
Roll into 1.5 tablespoon balls, place on baking sheets, and press with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Centers will remain soft and firm up as they cool.
Cool on the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve with cold milk!
Helpful Tips
Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make transferring easier.
Portion the dough into 1.5 tablespoon balls for consistent sizing before pressing with a fork.
Use either vegetable oil or canola oil based on what you have on hand.
Let the cookies rest on the baking pan for the full 10 minutes after baking so the soft centers have time to firm up before moving them to a cooling rack.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these freshly baked cookies alongside a glass of cold milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size should the dough balls be before baking?
Roll the dough into 1.5 tablespoon balls, place them on lined baking sheets, and press them with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
Bake at 350 F (175 C) for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. The centers will still be soft and will firm up as they cool on the pan.
Do I prepare the cake mix according to its package directions first?
No. Use only the dry yellow cake mix directly from the 13.25 to 15.25 ounce box and combine it straight with the peanut butter, oil, and eggs.
4-Ingredient Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
