If you have a soft spot for nostalgic, melt-in-your-mouth treats, this Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe will become your new best friend in the kitchen. It effortlessly combines the rich, nutty essence of peanut butter with the perfect balance of sweet and tender texture in each soft but slightly crisp cookie. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just craving a comforting snack, these cookies deliver that irresistible, timeless taste that warms the heart every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple yet essential, each playing a vital role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and look of the cookies. From the creamy peanut butter that provides richness to the mix of sugars that bring both sweetness and moisture, every item is chosen to make this Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe unforgettable.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: The base that gives your cookies structure and softness.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Adds just enough lift for a tender bite.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors without overpowering.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened): Brings richness and helps create that lovely golden edge.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Offers sweetness and a bit of crunch to the cookie exterior.
- 1/2 cup brown sugar: Adds moisture and that deep, caramel-like note.
- 1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter: The star ingredient that provides flavor and texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor with warm, aromatic hints.
- 1 large egg: Binds everything together and keeps the cookies tender.
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). While it reaches temperature, line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This prep step ensures easy clean-up and helps your cookies bake evenly without sticking.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt. This step makes sure these dry ingredients are evenly combined, which is key to your cookies having a consistent texture throughout.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In another bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes fluffy and light. This process incorporates air, lending a delicate crumb to your Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe.
Step 4: Add Egg and Peanut Butter
Next, beat in the egg and peanut butter until everything is fully integrated. This step combines the flavors and ensures the cookie dough is smooth and workable.
Step 5: Blend in Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredient mix into the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, so your cookies stay tender and soft after baking.
Step 6: Form the Cookies
Scoop your dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each ball about two inches apart to give them room to spread without merging into one another.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. You’ll want the edges to turn a beautiful golden brown while the centers remain soft—this contrast of textures makes the Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe so special.
Step 8: Cool Before Enjoying
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the pan for a few minutes. This allows them to set nicely before transferring to wire racks to cool completely, perfecting their delightful chewiness.
How to Serve Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
If you want to add a little extra flair when serving, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over each cookie. The salt perfectly balances the sweet richness of peanut butter. Alternatively, a light drizzle of melted dark chocolate adds an elegant touch and pairs wonderfully with the nutty flavor.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine alongside a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea. Their buttery, peanutty goodness is a fantastic companion to these everyday beverages, making snack time feel like a special ritual.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gift-giving, stack the cookies with wax paper in between and tie with a rustic ribbon. You can also sandwich peanut butter or chocolate spread between two cookies for a decadent treat that showcases the Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe in an exciting new way.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they will stay fresh for up to a week. Keeping them sealed prevents them from drying out and preserves the soft texture everyone loves.
Freezing
You can freeze both the dough and the baked cookies. For dough, shape it into balls, place on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer into a freezer-safe bag. Bake them straight from the freezer adding a couple of extra minutes to the time. Baked cookies freeze well too—just wrap them individually and store in a sealed container for up to three months.
Reheating
Warm your cookies briefly in a microwave or oven to refresh their soft, gooey texture. About 10 seconds in the microwave or 5 minutes at 300°F in the oven will bring the magic back to your Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe so each bite tastes just-baked.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter adds a lovely texture to the cookies, giving you those little peanut bits in every bite, which many peanut butter fans enjoy.
Why do my peanut butter cookies sometimes turn out dry?
This often happens if the butter is too hard or you overbake them. Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and watch your cookies closely so they come out perfectly soft in the center.
Can I substitute the all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour?
You can try a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour, but be aware the texture might be slightly different. Adding a little xanthan gum may help mimic the chewiness of traditional flour.
Is it necessary to use both brown and granulated sugar?
Using both sugars balances sweetness, moisture, and texture. Brown sugar keeps the cookies moist and chewy, while granulated sugar ensures a crisp edge.
How do I prevent my peanut butter cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough before baking can help control spreading. Also, avoid using melted butter as it causes the dough to be too loose.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely hope you take a moment soon to bake this Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe. It’s a recipe that feels like a warm hug from your childhood, packed with familiar flavors that never fail to delight. Whether you share them or savor them all by yourself, these cookies will quickly become a delicious favorite you reach for time and again.
Print
Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with rich peanut flavor. With a perfect balance of salty and sweet, these cookies make a timeless treat that’s easy to prepare and loved by all.
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 until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is fluffy and light.
- Add Egg and Peanut Butter: Beat in the egg and peanut butter thoroughly into the creamed mixture until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing.
- Portion Dough: Scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the dollops about two inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers remain soft for a chewy texture.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a crunchier cookie, bake for an additional 1-2 minutes but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Using creamy peanut butter yields a classic smooth texture, while crunchy peanut butter adds delightful nutty bits.
- Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for best creaming results.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help control spread for thicker cookies.
