Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe Soft, Chewy, Irresistible

Crisp autumn afternoons call for warm, freshly baked peanut butter cookies that melt in your mouth with rich, comforting flavors.

These delightful treats carry nostalgic memories of childhood kitchens and sweet moments shared around the table.

Every baker knows the magic happens when simple ingredients combine with love and care.

The aroma of butter and roasted peanuts will drift through your home, creating an inviting atmosphere that draws people together.

Soft yet slightly crunchy edges make these cookies utterly irresistible for anyone who appreciates classic desserts.

Mixing the dough becomes a delightful experience that connects you to generations of home bakers.

You’ll find this recipe transforms an ordinary afternoon into something extraordinary – so let’s start measuring those ingredients and create some delicious magic!

Change It Up with New Cookie Mix-Ins

Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies: Replace regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend to create a celiac-friendly version that maintains the rich peanut butter flavor.

Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies: Substitute the egg with a flax egg (ground flaxseed mixed with water) and use a plant-based sugar to create a completely dairy-free and egg-free cookie option.

Low-Sugar Peanut Butter Cookies: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce overall sugar content while keeping the classic cookie texture and taste.

Chocolate-Swirled Peanut Butter Cookies: Incorporate melted dark chocolate or chocolate chips into the dough for an indulgent variation that complements the nutty peanut butter base.

Peanut Butter Cookies That Feel Like Home

• Enjoy a simple recipe requiring only five basic pantry staples like peanut butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, and baking soda, saving you time and grocery shopping stress.
• Create delicious cookies that kids and adults will love, with a classic crisscross pattern that makes them visually appealing and fun to prepare together.
• Master an incredibly straightforward baking process that requires no complicated mixing techniques or specialized equipment, ideal for beginner bakers and cooking enthusiasts.

Must-Have Ingredients for Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies

Main Ingredients:

Peanut Butter: A creamy, rich base that gives cookies their signature nutty flavor and soft texture. Smooth or chunky peanut butter works well.

Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a crisp cookie exterior. Granulated white sugar is the best option.

Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture to the cookie dough. Fresh, room temperature egg recommended.

Flavor Enhancers:

Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the cookie’s overall taste. Pure vanilla extract preferred over imitation.

Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates a slightly crisp texture. Ensures even baking and light consistency.

Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the peanut butter flavor. A small pinch works perfectly.

Optional Additions:

Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy removal from the baking sheet. Non-stick alternative to greasing the pan.

How to Bake Peanut Butter Cookies That Stay Soft

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Turn the oven dial to 350°F (175°C). Allow the oven to warm up completely before baking.

Step 2: Whip Together the Cookie Base

• Creamy peanut butter
• Granulated sugar
• Fresh egg
• Pure vanilla extract
• Baking soda
• Dash of salt

Mix everything until the texture becomes smooth and consistent.

Step 3: Roll Out Cookie Rounds

Scoop small portions of dough and roll them into bite-sized balls using your palms. Aim for roughly 1-inch diameter spheres. Place each ball on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Step 4: Create Classic Crosshatch Design

Take a standard fork and gently press down on each cookie ball. Create a crisscross pattern by pressing vertically, then horizontally. This traditional technique helps cookies bake evenly and looks super cute.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the cookie edges turn a beautiful golden brown. Watch closely to prevent over-browning.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Remove cookies from the oven. Let them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack. Wait until completely cooled before devouring these delicious treats.

Smart Ideas for Peanut Butter Cookie Baking

• Customize Peanut Butter Type: Select natural or commercial peanut butter based on desired texture and sweetness level. Smooth varieties create more uniform cookies, while chunky options add delightful nutty bits.
• Prevent Sticking Trick: Lightly grease your fork before creating crosshatch patterns to ensure clean, crisp cookie indentations without dough clinging to utensils.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap wheat-based ingredients with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour to make these cookies suitable for individuals with gluten sensitivities.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Sprinkle sea salt on top before baking to create a sophisticated sweet-and-salty profile that elevates the classic peanut butter cookie experience.
• Storage Secret: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, placing a piece of bread inside to maintain softness and prevent them from becoming dry.

How to Store Cookies Without Losing Texture

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, separating layers to prevent sticking. They'll stay fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cookies maintain their delicious taste for 2-3 months.
• Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying. Avoid microwaving to preserve their texture.
• Warm cookies briefly in a preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore their fresh-baked crispness and bring out the rich peanut butter flavor.

Pair These with Your Peanut Butter Cookies

• Creamy chocolate milk complements the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter cookies perfectly, creating a nostalgic and comforting childhood-style treat.
• The smooth, sweet vanilla ice cream balances the dense, salty-sweet cookie, providing a delightful temperature and texture contrast that melts in your mouth.
• The robust, slightly bitter coffee cuts through the cookie's sweetness, enhancing the deep peanut butter notes and offering a sophisticated adult pairing experience.
• A creamy banana smoothie echoes the nutty warmth of the cookies, adding a fresh fruity dimension that brightens the rich, dense cookie flavors.

Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 25 reviews

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

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies promise a nostalgic journey through classic American baking, blending rich, creamy peanut butter with simple pantry staples. Crisp edges, chewy centers, and a golden-brown finish await you in this timeless sweet treat that celebrates homemade comfort.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• ½ cup (115 g / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (120 g / 4.2 ounces) peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
• 1 large egg

Sweeteners:

• ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 ounces) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 ounces) brown sugar, packed

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups (155 g / 5.5 ounces) all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancer:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm the culinary workspace by setting the oven to a precise 350F (175C), creating an ideal environment for golden, crisp cookie transformation.
2. Blend peanut butter, granulated sweetener, egg, and aromatic vanilla extract in a spacious mixing vessel. Incorporate baking soda and a delicate salt sprinkle, stirring until the mixture achieves a harmonious, uniform consistency.
3. Craft delicate spheres of dough approximately one inch in diameter, utilizing gentle hand pressure or a specialized cookie portioner. Arrange these tender morsels on a parchment-lined baking surface, maintaining generous spacing to allow individual expansion.
4. Imprint each rounded dough ball with a fork’s tines, creating a distinctive crosshatch pattern. This decorative technique not only enhances visual appeal but facilitates even heat distribution during baking.
5. Position the prepared cookie landscape into the preheated oven, allowing them to transform for 8-10 minutes. Monitor closely, watching for golden-edged perfection while preventing excessive browning characteristic of peanut butter confections.
6. Extract the baked treasures, permitting initial cooling directly on the baking sheet. After brief stabilization, transfer the delicate cookies to a wire cooling platform, enabling complete temperature reduction and textural refinement.

Notes

• Swap traditional sugar with coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener for a lower glycemic index option that maintains delicious flavor.
• Add ground flaxseed or chia seeds to boost nutritional value and create a more nutrient-dense cookie perfect for health-conscious bakers.
• Create gluten-free versions by using almond flour instead of traditional flour, ensuring those with dietary restrictions can enjoy these classic treats.
• Experiment with different peanut butter types like natural, crunchy, or smooth to adjust texture and intensity of nutty flavor in each batch.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 139
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 56 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 12 mg