Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies are a classic homemade cookie recipe that is quick and easy to make. Each bite is soft, chewy and full of peanut butter flavor that everyone knows and loves.
Did anyone else’s mom make them Peanut Butter Cookies as a kid? I loved coming home from school to freshly baked dozens of cookies. Dunking them in milk was so satisfying.
I make my mom’s recipe now as an adult. They are super easy to make and I always have the ingredients in my pantry. In my house, people eat peanut butter like it’s going out of style so I typically have a couple jars in the pantry.
There’s just something so nostalgic about biting into a warm Peanut Butter Cookie fresh from the oven.
Ingredients
For these old-fashioned cookies, you’ll need these ingredients.
Note: The full recipe card is at the bottom of the post with all the measurements and instructions.
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- Peanut butter
- Salt
- Baking soda
- All-purpose flour
What is the Best Peanut Butter to Use
The best peanut butter to use, in my opinion, is smooth processed peanut butter. I like Kraft Peanut Butter, but any processed peanut butter will work.
You can use natural peanut butter, but it will change the way the recipe tastes due to lack of sugar in the peanut butter. The cookies may also be drier.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies
1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a cookie sheet and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar and sugar on low speed until combined. Add egg and vanilla and beat on low until combined. Stir in peanut butter.
3. Add salt and baking soda to the bowl. Gradually stir in the flour. Stir until flour is fully incorporated in the mixture.
4. Roll dough into small balls and place on cookie sheet. Press the balls flat with a floured fork.
5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden. Let cool on a cooling rack.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
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Why do Peanut Butter Cookies Have Fork Marks
The dough is much more dense than a regular cookie so you need to press it with a fork so it will cook evenly. Flour the fork first so it won’t stick to the dough. You could also
The fork marks help to flatten the cookies when they bake giving them the characteristic cookie shape.
Can You Make the Dough in Advance
Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time. Make sure it’s covered and chill it in the fridge for up to two days. When you are ready to bake, leave the dough on the counter to come to room temperature before continuing on with the recipe.
Can You Freeze the Dough
Yes, you can freeze the Peanut Butter Cookie dough. Prepare the recipe up until the point you roll them into balls. Place the balls on a baking sheet or tray and freeze for two hours. Then remove them from the baking sheet and place them in a freezer safe container or Ziploc freezer bag. They’ll keep for about three months in the freezer.
Let the dough thaw before continuing on with the recipe when you are ready to bake them.
How Long Do They Last
Store the Peanut Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days for best results.
Peanut Butter Cookie Variations
- Use Chunky Peanut Butter for extra texture and crunch
- Dip them in melted semi-sweet chocolate after baking
- Wrap a mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup in the cookie dough
- Add peanut butter chips or chocolate chips to the dough
More Cookie Recipes
- Fudge Cookies
- Rice Krispie Cookies
- No-Bake Butterscotch Cookies
- Thumbprint Cookies
- Banana Cookies
- Potato Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Sweetened Condensed Milk Cookies
- Butterfinger Cookies
You’ll also like these Peanut Butter Bars.
Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a cookie sheet and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar and sugar on low speed until combined. Add egg and vanilla and beat on low until combined. Stir in peanut butter.
- Add salt and baking soda to the bowl. Gradually stir in the flour. Stir until flour is fully incorporated in the mixture.
- Roll dough into small balls and place on cookie sheet. Press the balls flat with a floured fork.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden. Let cool on a cooling rack.
Equipment
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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This is the exact recipe I’ve always used. They are delicious! I roll the balls in sugar before I flatten and bake. Then sometimes I sprinkle a little sugar on them as soon as they come out of the oven. My husband loves these cookies and they are so easy to whip up.