The Best Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Classic Homemade Peanut Butter Cookies – Easy Recipe

Hazırlık Süresi: 15 minutes | Pişirme Süresi: 10-12 minutes | Toplam Süre: 25-27 minutes | Porsiyonlar: 36 cookies

These soft and chewy peanut butter cookies are the ultimate comfort treat! With their signature criss-cross pattern and rich peanut butter flavor, they’re perfect for any occasion. This easy homemade recipe delivers bakery-quality results every time.

Ingredients for Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies

Dry Ingredients:

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (or crunchy for texture)
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Rolling:

• ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling dough balls)

Step-by-Step Peanut Butter Cookie Instructions

1. Prepare Your Kitchen

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C)
• Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats
• Set aside a fork for creating the classic criss-cross pattern

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt
• Set aside until ready to combine with wet ingredients

3. Cream Butter and Sugars

• In a large mixing bowl, cream together peanut butter, softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar
• Beat for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy using an electric mixer
• This step is crucial for achieving soft, tender cookies

4. Add Eggs and Vanilla

• Beat in the egg until fully incorporated
• Add vanilla extract and mix until combined
• Scrape down bowl sides as needed

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

• Gradually add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture
• Mix on low speed until just combined – don’t overmix
• The dough should be soft but not sticky

6. Shape the Cookie Dough

• Scoop dough into 1½-tablespoon portions using a cookie scoop or spoons
• Roll each portion into a ball with your hands
• Roll balls in the reserved granulated sugar for extra sweetness and texture

7. Create the Classic Pattern

• Place sugar-coated balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart
• Use a fork to create the signature criss-cross pattern, pressing gently
• This flattens the cookies and creates the traditional peanut butter cookie look

8. Bake to Perfection

• Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden
• Don’t overbake – centers should still look slightly soft
• Cookies will continue to cook on the hot baking sheet

9. Cool Properly

• Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes
• Transfer to wire rack to cool completely
• This prevents breaking and ensures perfect texture

Pro Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredient Tips:

• Use room temperature ingredients for best mixing and texture
• Choose quality peanut butter – natural or traditional both work well
• Don’t substitute margarine for butter – it affects texture and flavor

Baking Tips:

• Don’t flatten too much when making criss-cross pattern
• Watch timing carefully – overbaked cookies become hard
• Rotate baking sheets halfway through for even browning

Storage Tips:

• Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week
• Freeze cookie dough balls for up to 3 months (bake from frozen, add 1-2 minutes)
• Layer with parchment if stacking cookies to prevent sticking

Delicious Peanut Butter Cookie Variations

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

• Add ¾ cup mini chocolate chips to the dough after mixing in flour
• Creates the perfect peanut butter and chocolate combination

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

• Replace ½ cup flour with ½ cup old-fashioned oats
• Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon for extra warmth

Double Peanut Butter Cookies

• Use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy
• Add ½ cup chopped peanuts for extra crunch and flavor

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

• Make cookies slightly smaller (1 tablespoon dough each)
• Sandwich with peanut butter frosting or jam when cooled

Troubleshooting Common Peanut Butter Cookie Problems

Cookies Spread Too Much:

• Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking
• Check oven temperature with thermometer
• Use fresh baking soda for proper rise

Cookies Are Too Hard:

• Don’t overbake – remove when edges are just set
• Check ingredient measurements – too much flour makes cookies tough
• Store with bread slice to soften if needed

Cookies Are Too Crumbly:

• Add 1-2 tablespoons milk if dough seems too dry
• Ensure butter is properly softened before mixing
• Don’t overmix after adding flour

Beslenme Bilgileri

Per Cookie (makes 36):

• Kalori: 95
• Yağ: 5g
• Karbonhidratlar: 11g
• Protein: 3g
• Lif: 1g
• Şeker: 7 gr

Why This Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe Works

This recipe creates the perfect balance of soft and chewy texture with rich peanut butter flavor. The combination of both granulated and brown sugar provides moisture and chewiness, while the proper flour-to-fat ratio ensures cookies that hold their shape without being too dense.

The classic criss-cross pattern isn’t just for looks – it helps the cookies bake evenly and creates the traditional appearance everyone expects from peanut butter cookies.

Perfect Occasions for Peanut Butter Cookies

• School lunch boxes and after-school snacks
• Holiday cookie exchanges and bake sales
• Birthday parties and family gatherings
• Gift giving – they ship and store beautifully
• Comfort food cravings any time of year

Make-Ahead Instructions

For Fresh Cookies:

• Prepare dough up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate
• Bring to room temperature before shaping and baking

For Future Baking:

• Shape into balls and freeze on baking sheets
• Transfer frozen balls to freezer bags for up to 3 months
• Bake directly from frozen – add 1-2 extra minutes

This foolproof peanut butter cookie recipe delivers consistently delicious results that will become a family favorite. The soft, chewy texture and rich peanut butter flavor make these cookies irresistible for both kids and adults!