Homemade Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe: Irresistible Joy!

These classic peanut butter cookies spark joy with their irresistible homemade warmth and rich, nutty flavor.

Soft, chewy, and perfectly golden, the classic peanut butter cookies recipe brings comfort straight from your kitchen.

Every bite promises a delightful blend of sweet and savory notes that dance on your palate.

The simple ingredients combine to create a nostalgic treat that connects you to cherished memories.

Crisp edges and tender centers make these cookies an absolute crowd-pleaser for all ages.

Baking these cookies fills your home with an enticing aroma that draws everyone to the kitchen.

Whip up a batch and watch smiles spread with each delectable morsel.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 143 kcal

Servings: 23

Things In Peanut Butter Cookies

• Butter: Adds rich, smooth texture and enhances cookie's tender crumb.
• Peanut Butter: Delivers intense nutty flavor and signature creamy consistency.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness, help with caramelization and create soft, chewy texture.

• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds structure to the cookies.
• Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie's foundational structure and provides tender crumb.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Help cookies rise and achieve perfect soft, slightly puffy texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity.

Gear You’ll Need For Peanut Butter Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Perfect for beating butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Whisk: Needed to combine dry ingredients evenly without lumps.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Baking sheets: Two lined with parchment paper or silicone mats for even baking.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool completely and maintain crispness.
• Fork: Used to create classic crisscross pattern on cookie dough.
• Tablespoon or cookie scoop: Helps create uniform cookie sizes.

Simple Instructions For Peanut Butter Cookies

• Oven Warmup

Crank up the kitchen’s heart to a cozy 350F. Grab two baking sheets and give them a soft blanket of parchment paper.

• Butter Ballet

Toss butter, peanut butter, and sugars into a mixing bowl. Dance them together until they’re fluffy and dreamy, about 3 minutes of pure kitchen magic.

• Moisture Magic

Crack in an egg and splash of vanilla. Blend until everything hugs together perfectly.

• Powder Power

In another bowl, gently mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Slowly marry these dry ingredients into your creamy mixture.

• Cookie Craft

Roll small dough balls and place them on prepared sheets. Use a fork to create playful crosshatch patterns on each cookie.

• Golden Transformation

Slide the sheets into the oven. Bake until edges turn a gorgeous golden color, around 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye out to maintain that soft, tender heart.

• Cooling Ceremony

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for a quick 5-minute breather. Then transfer to a cooling rack for their final relaxation.

Ideas To Try For Peanut Butter Cookies

• Perfect Texture Tricks: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies with deeper flavor development.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring the same delicious peanut butter taste.
• Protein Power Boost: Add a scoop of unflavored protein powder to the dry ingredients for an extra nutritional punch without compromising the classic cookie texture.
• Allergen-Friendly Options: Substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or almond butter to accommodate nut allergies while maintaining a similar rich, creamy consistency.

Ways To Serve Peanut Butter Cookies With Fun

• Nostalgic Milk Companion: Pair these warm, soft peanut butter cookies with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate comfort treat that brings back childhood memories.
• Decadent Dessert Plate: Create a stunning cookie platter with chocolate drizzle, a sprinkle of sea salt, or a dusting of powdered sugar to elevate the classic cookie experience.
• Ice Cream Sandwich Delight: Transform these cookies into dreamy ice cream sandwiches by adding a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream between two freshly baked cookies for a cool, creamy indulgence.
• Gifting Goodness: Package these cookies in a cute mason jar or decorative tin with a ribbon for a homemade gift that spreads joy and warmth to friends and family.

Store Peanut Butter Cookies With Ease

• Fridge-Friendly Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, layering between parchment paper to prevent sticking. Separate soft cookies from crispy ones to maintain their unique textures.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags for 2-3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time for perfect results.
• Room Temperature Love: Store cookies in sealed containers at cool room temperatures, away from direct sunlight. Place a slice of bread inside the container to help maintain moisture and softness.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days before baking, keeping it refrigerated. Allow dough to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before shaping and baking to ensure ideal consistency.

Crispy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Homemade peanut butter cookies offer rich, nostalgic comfort with classic American baking charm. Crisp edges and chewy centers make these treats irresistible for family gatherings and sweet afternoon breaks.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
• ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 ¼ cups (155 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper, establishing an optimal baking environment.
2. Creaming: Combine butter, peanut butter, and sugars in a large mixing bowl, whipping until light and fluffy, ensuring complete ingredient integration.
3. Liquid Incorporation: Mix in egg and vanilla extract, blending until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy, creating a cohesive wet base.
4. Dry Ingredient Synthesis: Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together, forming a uniform dry ingredient mixture.
5. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring with minimal manipulation to prevent dough toughening, until just combined.
6. Shaping and Marking: Roll dough into uniform balls, placing them on prepared baking sheets with ample spacing, then press a classic crisscross pattern using fork tines.
7. Baking Process: Transfer sheets to preheated oven, baking for 10-12 minutes until cookie edges turn golden brown, maintaining a soft interior.
8. Cooling Technique: Rest cookies on baking sheets for five minutes to stabilize structure, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture.

Notes

• Prevent Tough Cookies: Mix dry and wet ingredients just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies dense and chewy.
• Consistent Cookie Size: Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop for uniform balls, ensuring even baking and professional-looking results across the batch.
• Temperature Matters: Let butter and eggs reach room temperature before mixing to create a smoother, more integrated dough that promotes better texture and rise.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities, maintaining the same delicious peanut butter flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 143
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg