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Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies are a classic sweet treat combining the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter with a chewy texture and balanced sweetness. Perfect for snacks or festive occasions, these cookies are quick and easy to prepare using simple pantry staples, delivering soft centers with slightly crunchy edges that everyone loves.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and bring the butter and egg to room temperature to ensure smooth blending for perfect dough consistency.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is fluffy and light in color, incorporating air for a tender cookie texture.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth to create a rich, creamy base.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until the dough just comes together without overmixing.
  5. Shape the Cookies: Scoop dough onto a baking sheet and roll into balls. Flatten each ball slightly with a fork in a crisscross pattern, the signature step for Peanut Butter Cookies.
  6. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden but the centers remain soft to ensure chewiness.
  7. Cool and Enjoy: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, helping them set perfectly without becoming hard.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter for even mixing and better dough texture.
  • Don’t overbake; slightly underbaking yields chewier cookies.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes if you want thicker, less spread-out cookies.
  • Press dough balls lightly with a fork for the classic peanut butter cookie appearance and even baking.
  • Natural peanut butter can be used, but adjust sugar slightly due to less sweetness and more oiliness.

Nutrition

Keywords: peanut butter, cookies, chewy cookies, classic dessert, homemade cookies, easy cookies, snack, peanut butter recipe