There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma and taste of homemade cookies. These delightful treats instantly bring back fond memories and create new ones with every bite. This peanut butter cookies recipe delivers a truly exceptional experience, boasting a rich, nutty flavor and a perfectly chewy texture. It’s an incredibly easy recipe, perfect for beginners, guaranteeing delicious results every time. Get ready to bake these ultimate, satisfying cookies!
Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Cookies
You’ll adore this classic peanut butter cookies recipe for many reasons.
- These cookies boast the ultimate texture: perfectly chewy, wonderfully soft, yet with crisp edges.
- Every bite delivers an intensely rich, authentic peanut butter flavor that truly satisfies.
- The signature crosshatch pattern and crackly tops are incredibly appealing and iconic.
- The preparation and baking time are quick, making them perfect for last-minute cravings.
- They stay delightfully fresh for days, allowing you to enjoy them longer.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this incredible peanut butter cookies recipe a reality. Gather your ingredients before you begin for a smooth baking process.
- 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter (your preference)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar + more for rolling cookies
- 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk (any kind)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Notes & Substitutions
Measuring flour correctly is crucial; always spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off. For the peanut butter, stick with processed, shelf-stable brands like Jif or Skippy for consistent results, as natural varieties can separate and alter texture. Ensure your butter is truly softened, but not melted, for a creamy base. Granulated sugar helps with spread and crispness, while brown sugar adds chewiness and moisture. A room temperature egg emulsifies better with the fats, creating a smoother dough. Any type of milk works, and using a high-quality vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor.
Equipment
You only need a few basic tools to prepare this delightful batch of homemade peanut butter cookies.
- Large mixing bowls
- Electric mixer (stand mixer with paddle attachment or hand-held mixer)
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cookie scoop (medium size)
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheets
- Wire cooling rack
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create the best peanut butter cookies recipe. This guide ensures a perfect batch every time.
- Prep Oven & Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a hand mixer, beat the softened butter and peanut butter together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Sugars & Egg: Add the granulated sugar and light brown sugar to the butter and peanut butter mixture. Beat until they are well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Next, incorporate the large egg, mixing until just combined.
- Incorporate Liquids: Stir in the milk and vanilla extract until they are fully blended into the wet ingredients. Avoid overmixing at this stage.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined. Mix only until no dry streaks of flour remain to avoid tough cookies.
- Form Cookie Dough: In a small, separate bowl, place a few tablespoons of granulated sugar for rolling. Using a medium cookie scoop (about 1.5 tablespoons), portion out the dough. Roll each portion into a smooth ball between your palms.
- Sugar Coat Cookies: Roll each dough ball completely in the granulated sugar you set aside. This adds a lovely sparkle and a bit of crunch to the finished cookie.
- Place on Sheets: Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. They will spread during baking.
- Create Crosshatch: Gently press down on the top of each cookie dough ball with the tines of a fork, first in one direction, then again perpendicularly, to create the classic crosshatch pattern.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven. Mine were perfectly done at 11 minutes. The edges should appear set and lightly golden, but the centers will still look slightly underdone and soft.
- Cool & Serve: Remove the baking sheets from the oven. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy your perfect peanut butter cookies recipe!
Pro Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies
Achieving the perfect texture with this peanut butter cookies recipe is simple with a few key tricks. Avoid overmixing the dough after adding the flour; this can develop too much gluten, leading to tough cookies. Always use softened butter and a room temperature egg, as they cream together more smoothly, creating an even dough texture. Do not overbake your cookies; they should look slightly underdone in the center when you pull them out, as they will continue to set as they cool, ensuring delightfully chewy centers. For a truly classic look, press your fork marks firmly but gently to create a defined crosshatch pattern. If you desire thicker, less spread-out cookies, try chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking. Lastly, measure your flour correctly using the spoon and level method to avoid a dry cookie.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
Serving Suggestions
These delicious peanut butter cookies are wonderful on their own. Enjoy them warm with a tall glass of cold milk or alongside your morning coffee or tea. For an extra indulgent treat, serve a warm cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They also make a fantastic addition to lunchboxes, picnics, or as a thoughtful gift for friends and family.
Storage Instructions
Once completely cooled, store your baked peanut butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, you can freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. You can also freeze raw cookie dough balls for up to 3 months; simply bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time. Thaw frozen baked cookies at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave.
Recipe Variations
This basic peanut butter cookies recipe is incredibly versatile for customization.
- Stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips or chopped chocolate chunks for a classic combo.
- Add chopped peanuts, pecans, or colorful sprinkles to the dough for extra texture and fun.
- Experiment with other nut butters like almond butter or cashew butter, though the texture might vary slightly.
- Incorporate a dash of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg for a warm, spicy note.
- Make sandwich cookies by filling two cooled cookies with a creamy vanilla or chocolate frosting.
Nutrition Information
Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown for one cookie from this peanut butter cookies recipe, based on approximately 24 servings per batch. Please note that these are estimates and can vary based on exact ingredient brands and measurements.
| Nutrient | Amount Per Cookie |
|---|---|
| Calories | 160 |
| Total Fat | 9g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 110mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 18g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Total Sugars | 12g |
| Protein | 4g |
FAQ
- Why are my peanut butter cookies dry? Overmixing the dough or overbaking are common culprits. Mix just until combined and remove them from the oven when the edges are set, but the centers look slightly soft.
- Can I use natural peanut butter? It’s generally best to stick to processed, no-stir peanut butter for consistent results in this peanut butter cookies recipe. Natural peanut butter can have varying oil content, which might affect the cookie’s texture and spread.
- How do I get perfect fork marks? Gently press a fork into the center of each dough ball, making sure to create two perpendicular lines. Don’t press too hard, or the cookies will spread excessively.
- Can I make these gluten-free? Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.
- How long do they last? Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these delightful cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
- Can I freeze cookie dough? Absolutely! Scoop and roll the dough balls as directed, then freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag and bake from frozen when you’re ready for fresh cookies.
Conclusion
This easy and incredibly satisfying peanut butter cookies recipe is a true classic for a reason. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, even novice bakers can achieve wonderfully soft, chewy, and perfectly nutty cookies every time. We encourage you to try this beloved recipe and fill your home with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked treats. Share your creations, tell us your favorite variations, and enjoy every delightful bite! Happy baking!
Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, then set aside.
- In a stand-mixer, beat softened butter and peanut butter until fluffy; then add sugars, egg, milk, and vanilla, followed by the dry flour mixture until fully combined.
- Place extra sugar in a small bowl for rolling; use a medium cookie scoop to portion dough, roll each ball in sugar to coat, and place on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until slightly underdone in the center, as they will firm up while cooling.
Notes
