If you’re craving a comforting, nostalgic treat that warms your heart and delights your taste buds, this Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies strike the perfect balance between soft and chewy, with that rich peanut butter flavor shining through every bite. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or sharing with friends and family, this recipe promises simple ingredients, easy steps, and a truly satisfying cookie experience you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are wonderfully straightforward yet essential to crafting those perfect peanut butter cookies. Each one plays a key role in building that delightful texture, luscious flavor, and beautiful golden color that makes these cookies unforgettable.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and that classic tender crumb every cookie needs.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a soft center and crispy edges.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the rich peanut butter flavor.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds creaminess and depth, creating a buttery base for the cookie dough.
- Granulated sugar: Contributes sweetness and helps achieve the right texture.
- Brown sugar: Brings moistness and a subtle caramel note that perfectly complements peanut butter.
- Peanut butter (creamy or crunchy): The star ingredient, delivering that unmistakable nutty richness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with a warm, aromatic touch.
- Large egg: Binds everything together for a chewy yet tender cookie.
How to Make Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This simple step sets the stage for cookies that bake evenly and come off the tray effortlessly.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. These dry ingredients work together to give your cookies just the right rise and texture, creating that tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using a large bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, which makes your cookies wonderfully tender and full of flavor.
Step 4: Add Egg and Peanut Butter
Beat in the egg and peanut butter until everything is smoothly combined. The egg provides moisture and cohesion, while the peanut butter brings that rich, nutty depth that defines these cookies.
Step 5: Mix in Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the peanut butter batter, stirring just until combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so gentle folding is key to keeping them soft and chewy.
Step 6: Scoop and Space Dough
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about two inches between each to allow for spreading. This spacing helps them bake evenly and prevents them from merging into one giant cookie.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake in your preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look soft. This ensures the cookies have that delightful chewy center with just the right crispiness on the outside.
Step 8: Cool Before Enjoying
Let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks. This cooling period lets the cookies set up perfectly, making them easier to handle and enhancing their texture.
How to Serve Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To add a little extra flair, sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top right after baking—it complements the sweetness beautifully. For an extra indulgent touch, drizzle melted chocolate or press a few chocolate chips on warm cookies before they cool.
Side Dishes
Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe pairs wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, whether dairy or a nutty alternative like almond milk. They’re also delightful alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a warm cup of coffee or tea for a cozy afternoon treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your cookies on a colorful plate with fresh berries and mint leaves for a fresh sprinkle of color. You can also sandwich two cookies together with a layer of chocolate ganache or peanut butter frosting for a fun twist that’s sure to impress guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to a week—perfect for snacking whenever the craving hits again.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies or cookie dough balls. For dough, place balls on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, simply pop them into the oven, adding a couple of extra minutes to baking time.
Reheating
To enjoy these cookies warm fresh from the oven taste, pop them in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds or heat briefly in a low-temperature oven. The result is a tender, gooey bite reminiscent of straight-from-the-oven magic.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter adds delightful little bits of texture throughout your cookies without sacrificing any of the rich peanut flavor. It’s completely up to your preference.
Why do my cookies spread too much when baking?
If your cookies flatten excessively, try chilling the dough before baking and make sure not to over-cream the butter and sugar mixture. Also, check your oven temperature for accuracy, as too low heat can cause over-spreading.
Can I substitute butter with margarine or oil?
Butter is preferred for its flavor and texture, but margarine can work in a pinch. Oil is less ideal because it lacks the structure butter provides, which may result in cookies that are too soft or greasy.
How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to help maintain the cookie’s texture and structure.
What’s the best way to get soft cookies every time?
Keep the baking time on the shorter side and don’t overbake. Cookies will firm up as they cool, so pulling them out when edges are golden but centers look slightly underdone is the golden rule for soft and chewy cookies.
Final Thoughts
There is something undeniably comforting about a batch of freshly baked Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe. They are a delightful blend of simple ingredients and heartfelt baking that bring joy with every bite. I cannot wait for you to experience how easy and rewarding this recipe is—your cookie jar will thank you!
Print
Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are a timeless treat featuring a rich, creamy peanut butter flavor combined with a soft and chewy texture. These cookies are quick to make, with simple pantry ingredients, and bake up perfectly golden with slightly crisp edges and soft centers.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a separate large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Peanut Butter: Beat in the egg and peanut butter into the creamed mixture until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually incorporate the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough and keeping the cookies tender.
- Portion Dough: Scoop cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown while the centers remain soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely, ensuring they set properly.
Notes
- For crunchy peanut butter lovers, feel free to substitute creamy peanut butter with crunchy for added texture.
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep cookies tender and chewy.
- Storing cookies in an airtight container will keep them fresh for up to a week.
- Optionally, press a fork in a crisscross pattern on each dough ball before baking for a traditional peanut butter cookie look.
- Butter should be softened, not melted, for proper creaming with sugars.
