There’s a reason The Best Peanut Butter Cookies have stood the test of time: they’re impossibly soft, irresistibly chewy, and brimming with rich peanut flavor that feels like pure nostalgia in every bite. This is the cookie recipe I go back to whenever I’m craving a simple, soul-soothing treat, and it never disappoints—whether you want to bake for a celebration, share with friends, or just spoil yourself on a cozy afternoon. With a quick prep and a handful of pantry staples, you’ll soon have a batch of golden-crisp cookies with that signature crisscross top cooling on your counter, making your whole kitchen smell like happiness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need anything fancy to make The Best Peanut Butter Cookies: just a few classic staples that come together for the perfect balance of sweetness, softness, and flavor. Each ingredient truly pulls its weight, and together, they deliver that iconic cookie texture—you know the one.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the perfect base, ensuring just the right structure and chewiness in every cookie.
- Baking soda: Gives the cookies a lovely lift, keeping them from getting too dense.
- Salt: Accentuates the peanutty goodness and enhances all the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Creates tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies and carries the flavors beautifully.
- Granulated sugar: Delivers crisp edges and the classic cookie sweetness.
- Light brown sugar (packed): Brings a caramel-like depth of flavor and helps keep the cookies delightfully soft.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and provides a touch of richness.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out all the flavors.
- Creamy peanut butter: The star of the show! Choose a classic, not-too-natural version for that craveable texture and peanut punch.
How to Make The Best Peanut Butter Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pans
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This step is all about setting yourself up for baking bliss—parchment ensures the cookies don’t stick and makes clean-up as easy as can be.
Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This isn’t just busywork: evenly distributing the leavening creates cookies that bake up perfectly every time.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed light brown sugar with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. Taking your time here pays off—the air you whip in now means your cookies will turn out soft, not stodgy.
Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and gorgeous. This brings everything together and lays the groundwork for ultra-tender cookies.
Step 5: Mix in Peanut Butter
Next, add in the creamy peanut butter and mix until fully blended. Here’s where The Best Peanut Butter Cookies get their hallmark flavor and that dreamy, chewy middle.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed and stopping as soon as they become one uniform dough. Overmixing is the enemy of a soft crumb, so go easy here!
Step 7: Shape and Crisscross
Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and roll them into balls. Arrange them on your prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave about 2 inches between each. Then, take a fork and gently press a crisscross pattern on top of each ball—this not only looks classic but also helps them bake evenly.
Step 8: Bake and Cool
Slide your trays into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are lightly golden (the centers may look slightly soft; that’s perfect). Let the cookies rest on the trays for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. That patience is part of the secret to The Best Peanut Butter Cookies texture!
How to Serve The Best Peanut Butter Cookies
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on the fresh-baked cookies amplifies their peanutty depth and gives a sweet-savory twist that’s totally irresistible. For a festive touch, consider dusting with a little powdered sugar or even dipping one edge in melted chocolate.
Side Dishes
Nothing goes better with The Best Peanut Butter Cookies than a cold glass of milk. If you’re feeling extra, pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, some fresh strawberries for a PB&J vibe, or a cup of hot coffee for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack cookies in jars for a gorgeous homemade gift, or sandwich a layer of ice cream between two for a knockout dessert. For parties, arrange them on a rustic board with fresh fruit, chocolates, and other cookies to create a playful dessert spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep The Best Peanut Butter Cookies at their softest by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to 5 days—if they last that long!
Freezing
If you’d like to have homemade peanut butter cookies on hand anytime, freeze the shaped dough balls on a tray until firm, then store in a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time. Baked cookies freeze well wrapped tightly, too.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked magic, pop a cookie in the microwave for 8–10 seconds or warm a small batch in a low oven for a few minutes. They’ll taste as fresh as the day they were baked!
FAQs
Can I use natural peanut butter in this recipe?
For truly The Best Peanut Butter Cookies, stick with creamy, conventional peanut butter. Natural varieties don’t always yield the same chewy, tender results due to their oil separation and different texture.
How do I make my cookies extra soft and chewy?
The trick is to slightly underbake the cookies, pulling them out when just golden at the edges and letting them finish setting on the pan. Also, don’t overmix the dough—this keeps the texture just right!
Can I add chocolate chips or nuts?
Absolutely! Stir a handful of chocolate chips, butterscotch morsels, or chopped peanuts into the dough for a fun spin. Just don’t overload it, so the cookies retain their classic shape and bake evenly.
Why do I need to make the crisscross pattern?
The crisscross not only gives The Best Peanut Butter Cookies their signature look, but it also flattens the dense dough a bit, helping the cookies bake evenly so every bite has that dreamy texture.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, go ahead and double (or even triple) the ingredients! Just be sure to mix in batches if your bowl isn’t big enough, and watch your baking time as larger batches might require shuffling trays for even baking.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a peanut butter lover (or just a cookie enthusiast), you absolutely need to give The Best Peanut Butter Cookies a try! They’re easy, rewarding, and bound to put a smile on anyone’s face. Grab your ingredients and bake a batch—you’ll want to make them again and again!
Print
The Best Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These peanut butter cookies are a classic favorite, with a soft and chewy texture that’s hard to resist. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, they are perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups 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 light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth, then mix in the peanut butter until well combined.
- Combine and Scoop: Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough and roll into balls.
- Bake: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Use a fork to gently press a crisscross pattern on each cookie. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until lightly golden.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra flavor, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top before baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
