Heavenly Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Baking these delightful soft peanut butter cookies will transport you to a world of sweet, nutty bliss.

The aroma of fresh peanut butter cookies wafting through your kitchen promises pure comfort and joy.

Crafted with simple ingredients, this recipe delivers melt-in-your-mouth goodness that everyone adores.

Each golden, tender cookie carries the rich, creamy essence of peanut butter in every delectable bite.

The texture strikes a perfect balance between crisp edges and a soft, pillowy center that beckons you closer.

Perfectly suited for afternoon snacks or dessert, these cookies bring instant happiness to any moment.

No cookie jar will remain full for long once you start baking these irresistible treats.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 23

Ingredients For Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

• Butter: Brings rich, creamy flavor and helps create a soft, tender texture in cookies.
• Peanut Butter: Provides intense nutty taste and creates signature cookie moisture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp cookie exterior.
• Brown Sugar: Introduces deep caramel notes and keeps cookies extra moist.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and provides structure to the cookie.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor and adds subtle aromatic depth.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and creates the cookie's basic texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly during baking.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies overall flavor profile.

• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy cookie removal and prevents sticking to baking sheets.
• Fork: Creates classic crisscross pattern and helps flatten cookie dough balls.

Tools For Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

• Mixing Bowl: Large bowl for creaming wet ingredients and combining cookie dough.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: For beating butter, sugar, and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Baking Sheets: Two sheets for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes clean-up easier.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for ingredients.
• Fork: For creating classic crisscross pattern on cookie tops.
• Wire Cooling Rack: To cool cookies after baking and keep them crisp.
• Separate Mixing Bowl: For whisking dry ingredients.

How To Make Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Easy

• Oven Preparation

Warm the kitchen appliance to a cozy 350F. Spread parchment paper across baking trays to create a welcoming surface for delicious cookies.

• Creamy Mixture

Blend butter, peanut butter, and sugars in a spacious bowl until the combination looks fluffy and light. Add an egg and vanilla, stirring until everything looks smooth and happy together.

• Dry Ingredient Harmony

In another bowl, gently mix flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Slowly fold these powdery friends into the creamy mixture, stirring until just combined.

• Cookie Shaping

Roll small rounds of dough between your palms. Place these little balls on the prepared trays, leaving room for them to breathe. Press a fork gently across each one, creating a delicate crosshatch design.

• Baking Magic

Slide the trays into the warm oven. Watch closely for 8-10 minutes until cookie edges look set and tops have a slight crackled appearance. Allow cookies to rest on the tray for a few moments before moving them to a cooling rack.

• Enjoyment

Grab a cookie, pour some cold milk, and savor the soft, nutty goodness of your homemade treat.

Peanut Butter Tips And Tricks

• Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
• Butter Balance Trick: Use room temperature butter and peanut butter for smoother, more evenly mixed dough that creates softer cookies with perfect texture.
• Chilling Technique: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and maintain a thicker, chewier cookie shape.
• Low-Sugar Option: Swap half the sugar with monk fruit sweetener or reduce total sugar by 25% for a less sweet, more nutty peanut butter flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies suitable for people with wheat sensitivities.
• Protein Power Boost: Mix in a scoop of unflavored protein powder to increase nutritional value without compromising the classic peanut butter cookie taste.

Ways To Serve Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Warm

• Cookie Pairing Paradise: Serve with cold milk for a classic, nostalgic dunking experience that highlights the rich peanut butter flavor.
• Sweet Sidekick Treat: Complement these cookies with vanilla ice cream or a scoop of chocolate gelato for a decadent dessert combination that melts in your mouth.
• Breakfast Bonus Twist: Crumble these soft cookies over yogurt or morning oatmeal to add a delightful nutty crunch and sweet morning surprise.
• Gifting Gourmet Option: Package cookies in cute mason jars or decorative tins with a ribbon for a homemade gift that shows personal kitchen love and care.

Best Storage For Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

• Cookie Jar Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days. Layer between wax paper to prevent sticking and maintain soft texture.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags. Freeze up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Freshness Trick: Add a slice of bread to the storage container to help cookies stay moist. Replace bread slice every 2-3 days to maintain softness.
• Make-Ahead Strategy: Prepare cookie dough up to 2 days before baking. Cover and refrigerate. Allow dough to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before shaping and baking to ensure consistent texture.

Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Irresistible peanut butter cookies blend creamy comfort with nostalgic American baking charm. Crisp edges and tender centers promise a delightful treat you’ll savor with pure enjoyment.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (120 g) creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 ¼ cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper for effortless cookie removal.
2. Blend Wet Ingredients: Whip softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Integrate egg and vanilla extract, mixing until completely smooth.
3. Combine Dry Components: Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together, then gently fold into the wet mixture until just incorporated, preserving a tender cookie consistency.
4. Shape and Mark Cookies: Form dough into 1-inch spheres, positioning them on prepared sheets with ample spacing. Create classic crisscross patterns using a fork, which helps flatten and decorates each cookie.
5. Bake to Perfection: Slide trays into the oven, baking 8-10 minutes until edges set and tops develop a delicate crackled finish. Watch carefully to maintain optimal softness.
6. Cool and Set: Rest cookies on baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling, allowing flavors to fully develop.
7. Serve and Store: Enjoy immediately with milk or preserve in an airtight container to maintain their irresistible soft texture.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter and peanut butter for smoother, more evenly mixed dough that guarantees soft, consistent cookies.
• Avoid Overmixing: Stir dry ingredients into wet mixture just until combined to prevent tough, dense cookies and maintain a tender, delicate crumb.
• Fork Technique Perfection: Press fork gently when creating crisscross pattern to flatten cookies without crushing their delicate structure, ensuring even baking.
• Cooling is Crucial: Let cookies rest on baking sheet for exactly 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack, allowing them to set without becoming hard or crispy.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg