Preheat and prep. Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Mix the dough. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1 large egg. Mix until the dough is smooth and thick. It will look glossy and hold together well.

Scoop the cookies. Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to portion the dough into 1-inch balls. Place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.

Criss-cross pattern. Lightly press each dough ball with a fork, then press again in the opposite direction to form a criss-cross. This helps flatten the cookies so they bake evenly.

Bake. Bake for 9–11 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops look slightly dry. The centers should still feel soft; they’ll firm up as they cool.

Cool. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely. They’re fragile while hot, so be gentle.