Discover a truly classic peanut butter cookie recipe that delivers on every front. These simple cookies are soft, chewy, and boast that perfect sweet-salty balance everyone adores. We use straightforward ingredients and a quick prep time to get these delicious treats into your hands faster. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is designed for success and pure delight.
Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe
You will quickly fall in love with this incredible peanut butter cookie recipe for so many reasons.
- These cookies offer an irresistibly soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes every bite a joy.
- Each cookie features a deep, authentic peanut butter flavor that truly shines through.
- You only need common pantry staples, making this a convenient recipe to whip up anytime.
- The quick baking process means you enjoy instant gratification with minimal wait time.
- This classic is a universally loved, crowd-pleasing treat perfect for any occasion.
- The recipe achieves the ideal sweet and salty balance, making these cookies utterly addictive.
Ingredients
To make this amazing peanut butter cookie recipe, gather these essential items. They are simple, readily available, and contribute to the perfect flavor and texture.
- All-purpose flour (1 ½ cups / 180g)
- Unsalted butter (½ cup / 113g, room temperature)
- Creamy peanut butter (1 cup / 250g)
- Light brown sugar (½ cup / 100g, lightly packed)
- Granulated sugar (½ cup / 100g)
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp / 5mL)
- Large egg (1, room temperature)
- Baking powder (¾ tsp / 3g)
- Fine sea salt (optional, ¼-½ tsp, if using unsalted butter)
Notes & Substitutions
Peanut Butter: For the best results, use a creamy, shelf-stable peanut butter like Jif or Skippy. If you prefer chunky peanut butter, it will add texture but might make the cookies slightly drier. When using natural peanut butter, stir it very well to recombine the oils before measuring. Adjust the sugar amount if your chosen peanut butter is already heavily sweetened.
Butter: Ensure your unsalted butter is at perfect room temperature. It should be soft enough to indent easily with your finger but not melted. This is crucial for properly creaming with the sugars. If you use salted butter, omit the additional fine sea salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty cookies.
Sugars: The combination of light brown sugar and granulated sugar is key to the cookie’s texture. Brown sugar contributes to a chewier, more moist cookie, while granulated sugar adds a slight crispness to the edges. Do not substitute one for the other entirely if you want the classic result.
Flour: Accurate flour measurement prevents dry, crumbly cookies. Always use the spoon and level method: spoon flour into your measuring cup, then level it off with a straight edge. For ultimate precision, weigh your flour using a kitchen scale.
Salt: Adjust the amount of salt based on your preference and the type of peanut butter you choose. If your peanut butter is already salted, you may want to reduce or omit the added salt entirely. A touch of salt enhances the sweet flavors.
Equipment
You will need a few basic kitchen tools to make this delightful peanut butter cookie recipe. These items ensure a smooth and easy baking process.
- Large mixing bowls
- Electric stand mixer (or hand mixer)
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling rack
- Dinner fork
Instructions
Baking perfect peanut butter cookies is simple with our step-by-step guide. Follow these instructions carefully to achieve beautifully soft and flavorful results every time. Remember, precision leads to perfection.
Step 1: Prep Oven & Dry Ingredients. Start by preheating your oven to a steady 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, line two large baking sheets with parchment paper; this prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy. In a medium-sized bowl, sift your all-purpose flour, baking powder, and the optional fine sea salt together. Whisk these dry ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and lump-free. Set this bowl aside for later.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugars. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a large bowl and a hand mixer), add the room temperature unsalted butter. Beat the butter on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes, until it becomes light, fluffy, and noticeably pale. Next, add both the light brown sugar and the granulated sugar to the creamed butter. Continue to beat the mixture on medium speed for another 2-3 minutes until it is well combined, light in color, and creamy in texture.
Step 3: Add Peanut Butter, Egg & Vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with your rubber spatula to ensure everything is incorporated. Add the creamy peanut butter to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat on low speed until the peanut butter is fully incorporated, forming a uniform, smooth mixture. Crack in the large, room temperature egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix on low speed just until these wet ingredients are combined, taking care not to overmix at this stage. Again, scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Step 4: Combine Wet & Dry. With the mixer on its lowest speed, gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients in small increments. Mix only until the flour is just combined into the dough. It is crucial to avoid overmixing the dough, as this can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough, dry cookies. Stop mixing as soon as no streaks of dry flour remain.
Step 5: Roll Dough Balls. Using a small cookie scoop or your hands, scoop out uniform portions of the cookie dough, each about 1-inch in diameter. Roll each portion into a smooth, compact ball. Arrange these dough balls evenly on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking.
Step 6: Create Criss-Cross Pattern. Now, grab a dinner fork. Gently flatten each cookie dough ball with the tines of the fork, pressing down once to create a textured pattern. Then, rotate the fork 90 degrees and press down again, making the classic criss-cross pattern characteristic of these cookies. This step helps flatten the dense dough for even baking and gives them their iconic look.
Step 7: Bake Cookies. Carefully transfer your baking sheets to the preheated oven. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes. Look for the edges to appear lightly golden and the centers to look set but still slightly soft. They may seem a little underbaked in the middle, but they will continue to firm up as they cool. Do not overbake!
Step 8: Cool Completely. Once baked, remove the baking sheets from the oven and transfer them to a wire cooling rack. This is a very important step: allow the peanut butter cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets. These cookies are quite delicate when warm and need this time to firm up their structure before you attempt to move them. Once fully cooled, you can transfer them to an airtight container.
Pro Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies
Achieving the best peanut butter cookie recipe results often comes down to a few key techniques. Use these tips to elevate your baking.
Having ingredients at room temperature can significantly impact the final texture and rise of baked goods, promoting better emulsification. For more on this, check out this article on room temperature ingredients in baking.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify properly, creating a smooth, cohesive dough.
- Accurate Flour Measurement: Always spoon flour into your measuring cup and then level it off. Even better, use a kitchen scale to weigh your flour for consistent results every time.
- Do Not Overmix Dough: Mixing too much develops gluten, which can lead to tough, dense cookies. Stop mixing as soon as the dry ingredients are just incorporated.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on your cookies. They are done when the edges are lightly golden and the centers look set but still slightly soft. Overbaking leads to dry cookies.
- Proper Cooling: Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. They are very fragile when warm and firm up significantly as they cool, preventing them from breaking.
- Achieve Perfect Fork Marks: Dip your fork in a little granulated sugar between cookies to prevent sticking and ensure clean, crisp criss-cross patterns.
- Adjust Salt to Taste: If your peanut butter is already salted, consider reducing or omitting the added fine sea salt to maintain the perfect sweet and salty balance.
Serving Suggestions, Storage & Variations
This classic peanut butter cookie recipe is versatile, whether you’re serving them fresh or planning ahead.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy these cookies warm or cool with a tall glass of cold milk for a comforting treat.
- Make delicious ice cream sandwiches by pressing softened vanilla ice cream between two cookies.
- Crumble them over sundaes, yogurt parfaits, or even oatmeal for an added nutty crunch.
- Serve them alongside your morning coffee or afternoon hot tea for a delightful snack.
Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: Store your baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Keep them away from direct sunlight or heat.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Place fully cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze for 30 minutes. Then transfer to a freezer-safe airtight container or bag for up to 3 months.
- Freezing Cookie Dough: Scoop dough balls and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the bake time.
Flavor Variations
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies: Stir in ½ cup of milk, dark, or white chocolate chips with the dry ingredients.
- Nutty Add-ins: Fold in ½ cup of chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for extra crunch and flavor.
- Sweet & Salty Crunch: Mix in ½ cup of crushed pretzel bits or toffee pieces for an irresistible texture combination.
- Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for a gluten-free treat.
- Vegan Adaptation: Use flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg) and dairy-free butter to make these cookies vegan.
- Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies: Press a chocolate kiss or a mini Reese’s peanut butter cup into the center of each dough ball before flattening and baking.
Nutrition Information
Please note that nutritional values can vary significantly based on the specific brands of ingredients used and preparation methods. This table provides an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving of this peanut butter cookie recipe.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 105g |
| Calories | 193kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 16g |
| Protein | 5g |
| Fat | 13g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Cholesterol | 23mg |
| Sodium | 115mg |
| Potassium | 129mg |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sugar | 7g |
| Vitamin A | 170IU |
| Calcium | 20mg |
| Iron | 0.8mg |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why do peanut butter cookies have fork marks?
The classic criss-cross pattern is not just for looks! Peanut butter cookie dough is quite dense, and flattening it with a fork ensures more even baking and helps the cookies spread properly.
What’s the best peanut butter for this recipe?
Creamy, shelf-stable peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) works best for this peanut butter cookie recipe. If you use natural peanut butter, stir it very well before measuring to ensure it’s emulsified and not too oily or dry.
Can I chill the cookie dough before baking?
While chilling is not strictly required for this specific recipe, you can chill the dough for 30 minutes to an hour if you prefer. This can make it easier to handle and can result in slightly thicker cookies.
How do I know when my peanut butter cookies are done baking?
Look for cookies with lightly golden edges and centers that appear set but still look slightly soft. They will firm up considerably as they cool on the baking sheet, so avoid overbaking.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free or vegan?
Yes, you can! For a gluten-free version, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. For a vegan adaptation, use flax eggs and dairy-free butter. Refer to the “Flavor Variations” section for more details.
Why are my peanut butter cookies dry or crumbly?
Dry or crumbly cookies are often a sign of too much flour or overbaking. Ensure you measure flour accurately using a kitchen scale or the spoon and level method, and always avoid overbaking.
Conclusion
This timeless peanut butter cookie recipe remains a classic for excellent reasons. It offers an incredible blend of sweet and salty flavors with a perfectly soft, chewy texture that everyone adores. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can easily create a batch of these comforting treats in your own kitchen. We encourage you to bake them today and experience the pure joy of homemade peanut butter cookies. Share your delicious creations and leave a review; we love hearing from you!
The Best Classic Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Sift and whisk together the flour and baking powder in a bowl.
- Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Optionally, add sea salt.
- Add the peanut butter to the creamed mixture and mix until fully combined.
- Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, then gradually add the flour mixture and beat until just combined.
- Roll the cookie dough into one-inch balls and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Gently flatten each cookie ball with a fork to create the signature criss-cross pattern.
- Bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet to allow them to set before transferring.
Notes
Emily Thompson is a home cook and food enthusiast who believes that great meals bring families together. She loves exploring creative twists on classic American comfort food, always testing new ideas in her kitchen. Emily is passionate about sharing simple, practical recipes and time-saving tips to help busy people enjoy cooking at home. Her approachable style makes every dish accessible, delicious, and perfect for those seeking inspiration for everyday meals and special occasions. Find Emily’s latest creations and kitchen wisdom on yumeasymeals.com.
