Description
These soft and chewy peanut butter cookies offer the perfect balance of rich peanut flavor and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Easy to make with simple ingredients, they’re a classic treat ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract into the mixture, blending everything thoroughly until fully combined for a uniform batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, and all-purpose flour, ensuring even distribution of the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing gently until a soft dough forms, taking care not to overwork it for maximum tenderness.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll them into balls. Place each ball onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Create Crisscross Pattern: Using a fork, gently press down on each dough ball to flatten slightly and create a crisscross design, which is classic to peanut butter cookies.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be set while the centers remain slightly undercooked to ensure a soft, chewy texture once cooled.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Do not overbake; removing the cookies when centers are still soft ensures a chewy texture.
- You can substitute natural peanut butter, but texture may vary slightly.
- For a nuttier flavor, consider adding chopped peanuts to the dough.
- Ensure butter is softened, not melted, for optimal mixing and texture.
