Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Peanut butter cookies are a timeless treat loved for their rich nutty flavor, soft yet slightly crumbly texture, and the iconic crisscross fork marks on top. They originated in the early 20th century and quickly became a household favorite in America. The cookies are buttery, sweet, and perfectly balanced with the roasted flavor of peanut butter, making them a nostalgic dessert that never goes out of style.

Why I Love This Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because it’s simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor. Peanut butter cookies are the perfect balance of sweet and savory, and their melt-in-your-mouth texture makes them irresistible. They’re also incredibly versatile—you can make them soft and chewy or crisp and crunchy, depending on your preference. I also love how they fill the kitchen with a warm, nutty aroma while baking—it feels like comfort in cookie form.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Classic & Timeless: A staple cookie recipe that everyone should know.
• Perfect for Peanut Butter Lovers: Rich, nutty, and deeply satisfying.
• Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples with no complicated steps.
• Crowd-Pleaser: Great for cookie swaps, school lunches, or holiday platters.

If you’re a peanut butter fan, this is a must-try recipe that never disappoints.

Preparation & Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Baking Time: 10–12 minutes per batch
• Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield & Nutrition

• Servings: About 24 cookies
• Calories: ~150 calories per cookie (approximate, varies by size)

Cuisine & Course

• Cuisine: American
• Course: Dessert / Snack

Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (250g) creamy peanut butter (unsweetened or sweetened)
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Simple Directions

1. Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars.
2. Add eggs and vanilla.
3. Mix in dry ingredients until dough forms.
4. Shape into balls, press with fork to make crisscross pattern.
5. Bake until golden.

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Preheat oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter & peanut butter: In a large bowl, beat butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy and fluffy.
3. Add eggs & vanilla: Beat in eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
4. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Combine: Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet until dough forms.
6. Shape cookies: Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheets.
7. Fork marks: Flatten each ball with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
8. Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes, until lightly golden around the edges.
9. Cool: Let rest on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.

How to Serve

• Best served warm with a cold glass of milk.
• Great with coffee or tea for an afternoon snack.
• Perfect for gifting—stack in jars or wrap in cookie tins.

Additional Tips

• For chewier cookies, slightly underbake and let them finish cooking on the tray.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes if it feels too soft before rolling.
• Don’t skip the fork crisscross—it helps cookies bake evenly.

Variations

• Chunky Peanut Butter Cookies: Use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy.
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies: Add 1 cup chocolate chips for extra richness.
• Peanut Butter Blossoms: Top each cookie with a Hershey’s Kiss right after baking.
• Gluten-Free Version: Use oat flour or a gluten-free 1:1 flour mix.

Freezing & Storage

• Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Freezing Baked Cookies: Freeze cooled cookies up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp.
• Freezing Dough: Roll dough balls, freeze on a tray, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 3 months. Bake straight from frozen (add 1–2 minutes).

Special Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer (hand or stand)
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone mat
• Fork (for crisscross pattern)
• Wire cooling rack

Conclusion

Peanut butter cookies are a classic recipe that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. They’re rich, nutty, and perfectly sweet, making them an all-time favorite for both everyday baking and special occasions. With their iconic crisscross tops and melt-in-your-mouth texture, they’re the kind of cookies you’ll want to bake again and again.

Print Recipe

Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Author: admin Cuisine: American Courses: Deserts

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 10 mins Total Time 25 mins

Servings: 24 Calories: 150 calories

Description

Peanut butter cookies are a timeless treat loved for their rich nutty flavor, soft yet slightly crumbly texture, and the iconic crisscross fork marks on top. They originated in the early 20th century and quickly became a household favorite in America.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 1 cup (226g)
• 1 cup (250g)
• 1 cup (200g)
• 1 cup (200g)
• 2 large eggs
• 2 ½ cups (315g)
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven : Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter & peanut butter : In a large bowl, beat butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy and fluffy.
3. Add eggs & vanilla : Beat in eggs, one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.
4. Mix dry ingredients : In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Combine : Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet until dough forms.
6. Shape cookies : Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on prepared baking sheets.
7. Fork marks : Flatten each ball with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
8. Bake : Bake for 10–12 minutes, until lightly golden around the edges.
9. Cool : Let rest on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.

Keywords: Peanut butter cookies