The Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe for Sweet Cravings

Biting into a soft, crumbly peanut butter cookie that melts on your tongue.

Childhood memories flood back with each sweet, nutty morsel.

Some recipes simply capture pure joy in a single bite.

Sarah’s classic approach transforms simple ingredients into magic moments.

Comfort arrives through carefully measured flour and creamy peanut butter.

Each ingredient whispers stories of warm kitchens and shared laughter.

You’ll want to clear your schedule and start mixing right now.

Why Peanut Butter Cookies Are Always A Favorite

• Crunch Sweet Simplicity: These peanut butter cookies deliver a classic, irresistible taste with minimal ingredients and straightforward preparation that anyone can master.
• Quick Comfort Craft: Ready in just about 25 minutes from start to finish, these cookies offer a speedy solution for sudden sweet cravings or unexpected guests.
• Texture Touchdown: Enjoy the perfect balance between crispy edges and soft, chewy centers that melt in your mouth, creating a delightful sensory experience with every bite.
• Family Baking Bonanza: Super kid-friendly recipe that allows children to help with mixing, rolling, and creating the signature fork-printed design, making baking a fun shared activity.

What You’ll Need For Peanut Butter Cookies

• Butter, Peanut Butter: Creamy foundation that provides rich flavor and tender texture. Unsalted butter works best for precise sweetness control.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweet elements that help cookies caramelize and create soft, chewy texture. Light or dark brown sugar are both suitable.

• Egg: Crucial for binding ingredients and adding structure to cookies. Fresh large eggs recommended.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex flavor that complements peanut butter. Pure vanilla extract preferred over artificial.

• All-Purpose Flour, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Salt: Essential for cookie structure, rise, and balanced taste. Sifting dry ingredients helps prevent lumps and ensures even mixing. Use fresh, unexpired leavening agents for best results.

How To Make Peanut Butter Cookies Step-By-Step

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F (175C). Grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper or silicone mats for a perfect non-stick surface.

Step 2: Create Creamy Magic

• Softened butter
• Creamy peanut butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Whip these ingredients together until they transform into a fluffy, cloud-like mixture. This should take about 2-3 minutes of passionate mixing.

Step 3: Introduce Liquid Goodness

Crack in a fresh egg and splash some vanilla extract. Mix until everything looks perfectly harmonious and blended.

Step 4: Dry Ingredient Dance

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt

Gently fold these dry ingredients into your wet mixture. Stir just until everything comes together – no need for overworking.

Step 5: Shape Cookie Dreams

Scoop out small dollops of dough and roll them into adorable little balls. Place these nuggets of joy on your prepared baking sheets, leaving some breathing room between each one. Take a fork and create those classic crisscross patterns by gently pressing down on each ball.

Step 6: Baking Brilliance

Slide your cookie-laden sheets into the oven. Let them bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown. Keep a watchful eye to prevent any burning – we want soft, chewy perfection.

Step 7: Cooling and Enjoying

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Prepare for a melt-in-your-mouth experience that’ll make taste buds dance!

Tips That Help With Peanut Butter Cookies

• Choose Quality Peanut Butter: Select a smooth, creamy peanut butter without added oils for the best cookie texture and rich flavor.
• Prevent Spreading: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help cookies maintain their shape and prevent excessive spreading.
• Customize Crunch: Add chopped peanuts or chocolate chips to the dough for extra texture and flavor variation.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version of these classic cookies.
• Storage Hack: Store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them soft and fresh for up to 5 days.

Best Way To Store Peanut Butter Cookies

• Refrigerator Storage: Place cooled peanut butter cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Enjoy within 5-7 days for maximum freshness.
• Freezer Storage: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Room Temperature: Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Ensure the container is away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain crispness.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated or frozen cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore their soft, fresh-baked texture.

Pairings That Go Well With Peanut Butter Cookies

• Pair with Creamy Milk: Cold, fresh milk creates the perfect companion for these rich peanut butter cookies, cutting through the sweetness and providing a smooth, cool contrast.
• Complement with Strong Coffee: Dark roast or espresso offers a robust flavor that beautifully balances the sweet, nutty cookie, creating a delightful afternoon treat.
• Match with Chocolate Stout: A rich, dark beer with chocolate undertones enhances the peanut butter's depth, delivering a sophisticated adult dessert experience.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Smooth, cold vanilla ice cream creates a classic dessert combination that amplifies the cookie's warmth and nutty flavor profile.

Ways To Change Up Peanut Butter Cookies

• Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Delight: Fold in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips into the cookie dough before shaping for a rich, decadent treat that combines classic peanut butter flavor with melty chocolate.
• Oatmeal Peanut Butter Crunch: Mix 1/2 cup of rolled oats into the dry ingredients to add texture and nutty depth, creating a heartier cookie with a satisfying chew.
• Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Dream: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the cooled cookies and sprinkle with sea salt for a sweet and salty gourmet experience that elevates the traditional recipe.
• No-Bake Peanut Butter Bites: Transform the recipe into no-bake energy balls by omitting flour and eggs, using honey to bind, and rolling the mixture into small spheres coated with crushed peanuts or cocoa powder.

Your FAQs For Peanut Butter Cookies

• Why do I need to cream the butter and sugars together?

Creaming helps incorporate air into the mixture, making your cookies softer and lighter. It also ensures the sugar dissolves properly, creating a smoother texture and better overall flavor.

• Can I use natural or crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Yes, you can! Natural peanut butter works well, but might make the cookies slightly less sweet. Crunchy peanut butter will add extra texture and nutty bits to your cookies, giving them a more interesting bite.

• How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for lightly golden edges and a soft center. The cookies will still seem slightly underbaked when you remove them from the oven, but they’ll continue cooking on the hot baking sheet. This helps maintain their soft, chewy texture.

• My cookies spread too much – what went wrong?

This could happen if your butter was too soft or if you didn’t chill the dough. Make sure your butter is just softened, not melted, and consider chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking to help prevent excessive spreading.

Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Irresistible peanut butter cookies bring classic American comfort right to your kitchen counter. Crisp edges, chewy centers, and rich nutty flavor make these treats perfect for sharing with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (120 g) peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups (155 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and lining baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a pristine baking surface.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, whip together butter, peanut butter, and both sugar varieties until the mixture transforms into a light, airy texture, ensuring thorough incorporation of ingredients.
3. Introduce egg and vanilla extract to the creamy base, blending until the mixture achieves a uniform consistency and glossy appearance.
4. Separately, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt through a gentle whisking motion, creating a uniform dry ingredient blend.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring with gentle, deliberate strokes until just integrated, avoiding overmixing which can toughen the dough.
6. Craft uniform dough balls using a tablespoon measure, rolling each between palms to create smooth spheres. Arrange these on prepared baking sheets, maintaining generous spacing.
7. Utilize a fork’s tines to gently press a distinctive crisscross pattern onto each dough ball, creating classic peanut butter cookie texture and visual appeal.
8. Position the cookie-laden sheets in the preheated oven, baking for 10-12 minutes until edges acquire a delicate golden hue, preserving the cookies’ soft, tender interior.
9. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for a brief five-minute interval, facilitating initial cooling and structural stabilization before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Notes

• Soft butter ensures smoother mixing and better cookie texture, so remove it from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
• Natural peanut butter can make cookies slightly drier, so consider adding an extra tablespoon of butter or reducing flour by a tablespoon to maintain moisture.
• For gluten-free options, swap all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend, ensuring the same measurement for consistent results.
• Create flavor variations by adding chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking for extra depth and crunch.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg