If you are on the hunt for a truly decadent, mouthwatering treat, look no further than the Best Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe. These cookies come together with simple pantry staples and offer that perfect balance of rich, nutty peanut butter flavor and a tender yet chewy texture. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, this recipe delivers consistent results that will have everyone reaching for seconds. It’s a timeless classic with a little extra love in every bite, guaranteed to become one of your all-time favorites.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every great recipe starts with the right ingredients, and these cookies are no exception. The list is delightfully straightforward, featuring ingredients that are commonly found in most kitchens, each adding its own magic to the final cookie.
- Peanut butter: Provides the bold, creamy flavor and moist texture that define these cookies.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and a tender crumb, allowing full control over the saltiness.
- Granulated sugar: Gives sweetness and crunch, helping to create a delightful texture contrast.
- Brown sugar: Brings deep caramel notes and moisture for chewy, soft centers.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds structure for perfect cookie shape.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a warm aromatic touch.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of your dough, giving body and heft to each cookie.
- Baking soda: Works as a leavening agent to lighten the texture just enough.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors, ensuring no cookie tastes flat.
- Flaky sea salt (optional): Adds a finishing sprinkle of crunch and a burst of savory contrast.
How to Make Best Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preparation
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This simple prep step ensures your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick, so clean-up is a breeze afterward.
Step 2: Creaming the Butters and Sugars
In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Cream these ingredients together until the mixture becomes fluffy and light. This step is where the texture magic begins, setting the stage for cookies that are tender yet satisfyingly chewy.
Step 3: Adding Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and uniform. The egg provides essential moisture and helps the cookies bond, while the vanilla gives a subtle depth of flavor that complements the peanut butter perfectly.
Step 4: Incorporating Dry Ingredients
Stir in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt gently until a dough forms. It’s important not to overmix here, or your cookies may turn out tough instead of soft and tender. The baking soda will help give just the right lift, ensuring a soft bite rather than a flat, dense cookie.
Step 5: Shaping the Cookies
Roll the dough into 1-tablespoon-sized balls and place them with about 2 inches of space apart on your prepared baking sheet. Flatten each ball with a fork, pressing in a crisscross pattern. This classic step is not only iconic, but also helps the cookies bake evenly while giving them their distinctive look.
Step 6: Baking
Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are just set but not overdone. The timing is key for achieving that melt-in-your-mouth texture with a slight crisp edge.
Step 7: Cooling and Finishing Touches
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. For an added flavor pop, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top while they are still warm. This little extra step takes the taste to an entirely new level, making these truly the Best Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe you’ll ever try.
How to Serve Best Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While the cookies are fantastic on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate can elevate these peanut butter delights, making them feel extra special for parties or gifts.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside a cold glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a hot cup of coffee or tea. The creamy, nutty flavor pairs beautifully with a variety of drinks and desserts, making them versatile for any occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, sandwich the cookies with chocolate ganache or peanut butter frosting to make irresistible cookie sandwiches. Alternatively, dip half of each cookie in melted dark chocolate and allow to set for a gorgeous, gourmet finish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Proper storage preserves their soft texture and rich flavor, so you can enjoy the Best Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe fresh every day.
Freezing
If you want to keep these cookies on hand longer, they freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a zip-top freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to three months without losing flavor or texture.
Reheating
To enjoy them warm, simply pop a frozen cookie in the microwave for about 15 seconds or reheat in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This gentle reheating method keeps the cookies soft and delicious, as if freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add delightful texture bits throughout your cookies, giving them an extra nutty crunch. Just keep in mind the overall cookie texture will be a bit different than with smooth peanut butter.
Why do my peanut butter cookies turn out dry?
Overbaking is often the culprit. Make sure to watch the baking time carefully, removing the cookies as soon as the edges turn golden. Also, don’t overmix the dough, as that can lead to tougher cookies.
Can I substitute butter with margarine or oil?
While it’s possible, using unsalted butter is best for flavor and texture. Margarine or oil can make the cookies less flavorful and slightly change the crumb, so butter is highly recommended to keep the magic in the Best Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe.
How do I prevent cookies from sticking to the baking sheet?
Using parchment paper or a silicone baking mat is key to ensuring your cookies lift off easily without sticking. If you don’t have those, lightly greasing the baking sheet can help, but it’s not ideal.
Can I add chocolate chips or nuts to this recipe?
Definitely! Adding chocolate chips or chopped nuts can bring extra flavor and texture that complement the peanut butter beautifully. Just fold them into the dough before shaping your cookies.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like biting into a warm, soft, peanut buttery cookie fresh from the oven. This Best Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is pure joy in cookie form, combining simple ingredients with straightforward steps to deliver a satisfying treat every time. Trust me, once you try it, it will become your go-to recipe for peanut butter cookies. Happy baking!
Print
Best Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Best Peanut Butter Cookies are classic, chewy, and packed with rich peanut butter flavor. Soft in the center with slightly crisp edges, these cookies are perfectly sweetened and optionally topped with flaky sea salt for a delightful balance. Easy to make and bake, they are a timeless treat ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Topping
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Cream Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and well combined.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and evenly blended.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gently stir in the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-tablespoon-sized balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Use a fork to flatten each ball, pressing down in a crisscross pattern to create the classic peanut butter cookie look.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are just set, ensuring a chewy texture.
- Cool and Finish: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Optionally, sprinkle flaky sea salt on top while the cookies are still warm for an added flavor contrast.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough once the flour is added to keep the cookies tender and prevent toughness.
- Flattening cookies with a fork not only shapes them but helps them bake evenly.
- Using both granulated and brown sugar keeps the cookies nicely balanced with sweetness and moisture.
- For a saltier-sweet flavor, sprinkle flaky sea salt on warm cookies before they cool.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
