If you have a soft spot for cookies that strike the perfect balance between nutty richness and tender chewiness, then you are going to love this Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe. It’s a timeless favorite that fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma and delivers a warm, comforting treat every time. Each bite delivers that unmistakable peanut butter flavor combined with just the right amount of sweetness and texture, making these cookies a crowd-pleaser for family gatherings, lunchboxes, or simple moments when you need a cozy snack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of these cookies lies in a handful of simple ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating their signature flavor and texture. From the creamy peanut butter that gives these cookies their heart to the blend of sugars that add just the right sweetness and chew, every item on this list is essential and easy to find.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for your cookies, ensuring they hold together beautifully while staying tender.
- Baking soda: A little leavening helps the cookies rise slightly, giving them a light, soft texture.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness for that perfect taste harmony.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and a silky texture, so your cookies melt in your mouth.
- Granulated sugar: Contributes sweetness and crisp edges that contrast nicely with the soft centers.
- Brown sugar: Brings moisture and a subtle caramel undertone to deepen the flavor profile.
- Peanut butter (creamy or crunchy): The star ingredient that delivers that beloved peanut taste and texture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and complexity that enhances all the other flavors.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and helps give the cookies a tender bite.
How to Make Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This step ensures even baking and prevents your cookies from sticking, making cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This simple combination forms the solid foundation for your cookies and ensures they bake evenly with the right texture and rise.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a separate larger bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, which is key to giving your cookies a lovely tender crumb.
Step 4: Incorporate the Egg and Peanut Butter
Beat in the egg and peanut butter to your creamed mixture. Whether you prefer creamy or crunchy peanut butter, this step melds those deep nutty flavors right into the batter, creating that signature taste that makes this Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe so special.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients with Wet
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until everything is combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so keep it gentle to maintain their soft, chewy texture.
Step 6: Scoop the Dough
Use a cookie scoop or spoon to place rounded portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
Step 7: Bake Until Perfect
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes or until you notice the edges turning a lovely golden brown while the centers stay slightly soft. This perfect bake ensures a delightful contrast between crunchy edges and chewy hearts.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks. This resting time helps them set up properly without becoming crumbly, preserving that delicious texture you love.
How to Serve Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
If you want to dress these cookies up a bit, try sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt on top right after baking. The salt accentuates the nuttiness and balances the sweetness perfectly, turning each bite into a gourmet experience.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea. Their rich peanut butter flavor cuts through creamy drinks, making snack time a comforting, indulgent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, sandwich two cookies with chocolate ganache or a smear of cream cheese frosting. You can also add mini chocolate chips into the dough for extra bursts of chocolate throughout. Presentation-wise, stacking them on a rustic wooden board or wrapping in parchment tied with twine makes a charming gift or party platter addition.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your peanut butter cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to a week, ready whenever a sweet craving strikes.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, these cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. When you’re ready for a treat, just thaw at room temperature.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked warmth and softness, pop a cookie or two in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This little trick awakens the flavors and melts the peanut butter slightly, making every bite taste freshly made.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Both creamy and crunchy peanut butter work wonderfully in this Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe. Crunchy peanut butter adds an extra texture dimension with little peanut bits, while creamy offers a smoother bite. It’s all about your personal preference.
What if I don’t have brown sugar on hand?
If you don’t have brown sugar, you can substitute with an equal amount of granulated sugar plus a teaspoon of molasses if available. This keeps the moisture and caramel notes that brown sugar would normally provide.
How can I make these cookies vegan?
You can make this recipe vegan by swapping the butter for a plant-based alternative and using a flax egg instead of a regular egg. Make sure your peanut butter and sugar are also vegan-friendly to keep every ingredient aligned with your dietary preferences.
Why do my peanut butter cookies sometimes turn out dry?
Dry cookies often result from overbaking or using too much flour. Make sure to measure your flour correctly and take the cookies out once the edges are golden but the centers are still soft. Cooling on the baking sheet also helps them retain moisture.
Can I add chocolate chips to this recipe?
Definitely! Incorporating chocolate chips adds a delightful chocolaty contrast to the peanut butter flavor. Mix in about 1/2 cup of chips when you combine the dry and wet ingredients for a classic addition that’s hard to resist.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to enjoy a truly comforting and nostalgic treat, this Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is the way to go. It’s straightforward to make, uses pantry staples, and delivers delicious results that will have you reaching for seconds. Trust me, these cookies are worth every bite, so grab your mixing bowl and enjoy some homemade peanut butter bliss.
Print
Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are rich, chewy, and perfectly sweetened treats that combine creamy peanut butter with a hint of vanilla. These easy-to-make cookies have a soft center and crisp edges, ideal for any peanut butter lover.
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 prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and salt throughout the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a separate large bowl, use a mixer or wooden spoon to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined.
- Add Egg and Peanut Butter: Beat in the large egg until fully incorporated, then mix in the peanut butter until the dough is smooth and uniform in texture.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape Dough: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about two inches apart to allow for spreading while baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown but the centers still appear soft. This yields a chewy center when cooled.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes to set, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely for best texture.
Notes
- For a crunchier cookie, use crunchy peanut butter; for a smoother texture, use creamy peanut butter.
- Do not overbake to maintain a soft center; cookies will firm up as they cool.
- Butter should be softened, not melted, for proper creaming with sugars.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to preserve freshness for up to one week.
