Honey Sweetened Peanut Butter Cookiesmade with whole wheat flour and no butter, oil, or shortening. This whole food dessert recipes is a family favorite!

pile of honey peanut butter cookies over a dark wooden chopping board.

Honey Sweetened Peanut Butter Cookies made with whole wheat flour are one of our new favorite cookies. These cookies are made with honey, whole wheat flour, and lots of peanut butter. You won’t need any other fat/oil like butter or shortening in this recipe either because the peanut butter has you covered. I like this fact because that means I can still make cookies when I run out of butter over the weekend but we still want to make a treat on Sunday night.

This simple one dessert is going to becomes a family favorite in no time. Here’s a little tip when it comes to buying whole wheat flour. I like to buy white whole wheat flour. This means they milled the flour from soft white wheat berries. Traditional whole wheat flour is made from hard red wheat berries. Flour made from the soft white wheat berries is more tender and tastes less “wheaty”. It’s a great option for baked goods.

You can also use whole wheat pastry flour which is made from the white wheat berries and is also ground more finely than traditional wheat flour. Both are pretty easy to find and I feel like they make a big difference when it comes to makingcookiesandmuffinsorcakeswith whole wheat flour.

stack of four honey peanut butter cookies.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Healthier Ingredients: Whole wheat flour and honey provide a nutritious twist.
No Extra Fats: Peanut butter adds flavor and removes the need for other fats.
Better Texture and Taste: White whole wheat or pastry flour ensures a tender, flavorful cookie.

Recipe Ingredients

portion bowls each with raw ingredients to make peanut butter cookies.

Peanut butter— natural and normal will both work, smooth or creamy
Honey —I like to buy local, it seems less bitter than cheap store honey
Egg
Vanilla extract
Whole wheat flour

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How To Make Honey Peanut Butter Cookies

clear mixing bowl the process of making honey peanut butter cookies.

Step #1.Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine the peanut butter and honey, mixing until smooth.

Step #2.Add the egg and vanilla, and stir until well incorporated.

honey peanut butter cookies on a cooking sheet over parchment paper.

Step #3.Mix in salt, baking soda, and flour until a dough forms. Roll the dough into small balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and arrange on the prepared baking sheet. Gently press each ball with a fork.

Step #4.Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, until they turn slightly golden brown. Be careful not to overbake, as honey can burn easily. Remove from oven and transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.

Recipe FAQs

What is white whole wheat flour?

I like to buy white whole wheat flour. This means they milled the flour from soft white wheat berries. Traditional whole wheat flour is made from hard red wheat berries. Flour made from the soft white wheat berries is more tender and tastes less “wheaty”. It’s a great option for baked goods.

Do cookies freeze well?

Yes! I make double batches all of the time and we’ll eat one batch and freeze the other. Make sure you properly store them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.

Are cookies supposed to be soft when you take them out?

Yes, cookies will be soft upon coming out of the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 1-2 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack. If the edge is firm, the cookies are done. However, if you leave an indentation, they need to bake for a bit longer.

honey peanut butter cookies on a cooling rack.

Expert Tips

For the best flavor and texture,opt for natural peanut butter with minimal additives. It’ll give your cookies that irresistibly creamy texture without being too oily.
If you find your dough too sticky to handle,don’t hesitate to chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This makes it easier to roll into balls and helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
While the recipe suggests white whole wheat or whole wheat pastry flour,feel free to experiment with other types of flour like almond or oat flour for a different twist on texture and flavor.
Honey in the dough means these cookies can go from perfectly golden to overly browned in no time.Start checking them a couple of minutes before the timer goes off to ensure they don’t burn, especially if it’s your first time making the recipe.