There’s something so comforting about a batch of Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe. This recipe is simple and full of flavor, giving you cookies with a soft, chewy center and crisp edges. Whether you’re making them for your family, a holiday treat, or just because you feel like it, these cookies are quick to whip up and always a hit. Let’s make this all-time favorite together!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2/3 cup peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions for Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the butter (1/2 cup ), granulated sugar,(2/3 cup) and brown sugar (1/3 cup) until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. I use an electric mixer and finish by smoothing the cream with a spatula.
- Add Peanut Butter and Egg: Mix in the peanut butter (2/3 cup) until smooth, then beat in the egg until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour (1/3 cup), baking powder(1 tsp), baking soda(½ tsp), and salt (¼ tsp).
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms, but avoid overmixing. Once the dough is ready, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Shape the Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
- Flatten with a Fork: Use a fork to gently press down on each ball, creating a crisscross pattern.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The cookies will be soft but firm up as they cool.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy: Serve and enjoy your classic peanut butter cookies with a glass of milk or as a sweet snack anytime!
Tips for Making Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe Even Better:
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature before mixing. This helps create a smoother dough and results in a better texture.
- Add a Dash of Vanilla: A teaspoon of vanilla extract can elevate the flavor and add a subtle sweetness that complements the peanut butter.
- Choose the Right Peanut Butter: For the best flavor and texture, use creamy peanut butter without added sugar or oils. Natural peanut butter can work too, but it may change the texture slightly.
- Chill the Dough: Refrigerating the dough for at least 30 minutes helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking, ensuring a thicker, chewier center.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once the dry ingredients are added, mix just until combined. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
- Use a Cookie Scoop: For evenly sized cookies, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough. This ensures they bake evenly and have a consistent shape.
- Press with a Fork Twice: For that classic peanut butter cookie look, gently press each dough ball with a fork, making a criss-cross pattern. This helps them bake evenly and gives a nice texture.
- Add a Pinch of Sea Salt: Sprinkling a small amount of flaky sea salt on top of the cookies before baking enhances the peanut butter flavor and adds a delicious contrast.
- Experiment with Mix-ins: For extra flavor, try adding chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, or even a swirl of caramel to the dough before baking.
- Don’t Place Dough on a Hot Baking Sheet: Make sure your baking sheet is cool before placing the dough on it. This prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking and helps them maintain their shape.
- Let the Cookies Cool on the Baking Sheet: Once you remove the cookies from the oven, let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up and prevents them from breaking apart.
Making Peanut Butter Cookies Ahead of Time:
Peanut butter cookies are perfect for preparing in advance, whether you’re planning for a busy day ahead or simply want to enjoy freshly baked cookies later. Here are a few ways to make this recipe ahead of time:
- Prepare the Dough in Advance: You can mix the cookie dough and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, simply scoop and bake as usual. Chilling the dough also helps enhance the flavor and texture of the cookies.
- Freeze the Dough: If you’d like to have fresh cookies anytime, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. After preparing the dough, roll it into balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze the dough balls for 1-2 hours, then transfer them to a zip-top bag or airtight container. When you’re ready to bake, just place the frozen dough balls on the baking sheet and bake as directed, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
- Bake and Store: You can also bake the cookies ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for up to 1 week. To keep them fresh and chewy, add a slice of bread to the container — it helps retain moisture. You can even freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Just be sure to let them cool completely before storing them.
Making these peanut butter cookies ahead of time is an excellent way to save time and have a delicious treat whenever you need it.
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There can never be too many peanut butter cookies.
Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
This classic peanut butter cookie recipe combines simple ingredients to create soft, chewy cookies with crispy edges, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- * 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- * 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- * 1/3 cup brown sugar
- * 2/3 cup peanut butter
- * 1 large egg
- * 1 tsp baking powder
- * ½ tsp baking soda
- * ¼ tsp salt
- * 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Peanut Butter and Egg: Mix in the peanut butter until smooth, then beat in the egg until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms, but avoid overmixing.
- Shape the Dough: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
- Flatten with a Fork: Use a fork to gently press down on each ball, creating a crisscross pattern.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The cookies will be soft but firm up as they cool.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy: Serve and enjoy your classic peanut butter cookies with a glass of milk or as a sweet snack anytime!
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