Name: Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup creamy peanut butter; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt

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If you’re searching for the sweetest, most nostalgic treat to cozy up any afternoon or impress a houseful of cookie lovers, look no further than these Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies. With their perfectly golden edges, tender centers, and that irresistible, classic crisscross pattern on top, each bite wraps you in pure, peanutty bliss. Whether you’re baking up a batch for a holiday, packing school lunches, or just satisfying a craving, these cookies truly live up to their name and have become a beloved staple in my own kitchen.

Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These cookies prove that the best desserts can come from the simplest of ingredients. Each component brings its own special magic to build a cookie that’s rich, chewy, and impossibly delicious. Gather these pantry staples and prepare to meet your new Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies.

Creamy Peanut Butter: The main event, lending deep, nutty flavor and a soft, chewy texture.
Unsalted Butter: Softened butter helps create that perfectly tender crumb and adds richness.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough while helping achieve those lovely crisp edges.
Brown Sugar (packed): Adds depth and softness, ensuring your cookies aren’t just sweet, but wonderfully moist.
Large Egg: Holds everything together for a cohesive, velvety dough.
Vanilla Extract: Boosts all the warm, inviting flavors and enhances the peanut butter.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure so your cookies are sturdy but still tender.
Baking Soda: Gives your cookies that subtle puff and chewiness—just the way we like them!
Baking Powder: Adds a bit of extra lift for a lighter, well-rounded cookie.
Salt: A tiny amount sharpens all the flavors, making every bite pop.

How to Make Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), then line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple step keeps the cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup later, so you can focus on enjoying every bite.

Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars

In a large bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Using a hand mixer or sturdy spoon, cream together the ingredients until they are visibly fluffy and lighter in color—this aerates the dough and guarantees a soft, luscious texture.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Crack in your egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat until thoroughly combined, making sure you scrape down the sides of the bowl. These wet ingredients bind everything together and add a gentle aroma that wafts through the kitchen as the cookies bake.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Taking a minute to blend these dry elements prevents any clumps in your dough and ensures the leaveners are distributed evenly for that just-right cookie lift.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed peanut butter mixture, stirring by hand or on low speed until just incorporated. Don’t overmix—stop once everything looks uniform and the dough pulls together easily.

Step 6: Shape and Pattern the Cookies

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and space them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Use a fork to gently flatten each ball and create the signature crisscross pattern. Not only does this give the cookies their iconic look, but it also helps them bake evenly and adds a little texture to every bite.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are just turning golden. The centers may look a bit soft—don’t worry, they’ll finish setting up as they cool, ensuring that chewy texture we crave in Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This last bit of patience is worth it, so you get the perfect bite every time!

How to Serve Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies

Garnishes

For a fancy flourish, try sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt on your cookies just before baking—a touch of salt can amplify the deep, roasted flavors of peanut butter. Or, dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a bakery-style effect. Melted chocolate drizzled on top can also transform these Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies into a decadent treat!

Side Dishes

Of course, nothing pairs better than a classic glass of cold milk (dairy or plant-based both work wonders). If you want to get creative, serve your cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a creamy coffee drink for the ultimate comfort snack combo.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn these cookies into a sweet gift by stacking a few in a cellophane bag, tied off with colorful ribbon. At parties, arrange them in little towers on a platter nestled between chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies so everyone can sample their favorites. Or use two cookies to sandwich a scoop of ice cream—suddenly, you’ve got peanut butter cookie ice cream sandwiches sure to impress any guest.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, store your Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay deliciously soft and flavorful for up to 5 days—though they tend to disappear long before then in my house!

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a well-sealed bag or container for up to 3 months. If you prefer, freeze the portioned dough balls instead—just bake straight from the freezer, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time for warm, fresh cookies anytime a craving hits.

Reheating

To recapture that straight-from-the-oven magic, you can warm a cookie or two in the microwave for about 10 seconds. If reheating a bigger batch, a few minutes in a low oven (around 300°F) will make them taste freshly baked all over again.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter adds a lovely extra bit of texture with tiny peanut pieces in every bite. Your Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies will be even more fun to eat, so go with your personal preference.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the standard flour in the recipe. The texture will be slightly different, but they’ll still taste delicious and hold together beautifully.

Is it okay to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough is not required, but if you’d like an even thicker, slightly chewier cookie, pop the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes before rolling and baking. This technique can help prevent spreading, especially on warm days.

What can I add for extra flavor?

Mix-ins are a wonderful way to add personality to your cookies. Try chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, or even a swirl of Nutella marbled right into the dough. Chopped dried fruit or a handful of toffee bits are other fun options!

How do I keep the cookies soft?

The brown sugar and peanut butter in this recipe help lock in softness naturally. For extra insurance, keep them in an airtight container with a slice of bread—the cookies will draw moisture from the bread and stay tender even longer.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about sharing a batch of warm, homemade Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies with friends or family. Whether you’re rekindling fond childhood memories or starting a new baking tradition, I hope this recipe adds a sweet spot to your week and inspires plenty of smiles. Give them a try and let these classic cookies become your favorites, too!

Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 7 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 27 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Favorite Peanut Butter Cookies are a classic treat that everyone will love. Soft, chewy, and packed with peanut butter flavor, these cookies are perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cream Together: In a large bowl, cream peanut butter, softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
Shape and Bake: Roll dough into 1-inch balls, place on baking sheet, flatten with a fork, and bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.
Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.