Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

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Adding peanut butter to cookies creates an amazing soft consistency with a very delicate, velvety crumb. These classic peanut butter cookies are complete crowd pleasers.

You can make them days in advance for instant gratification anytime and they’re so easy to make! The most difficult part is having the patience to let them set up after they’re out of the oven. 

How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies

1. Preheat over to 350F. Sift flour and baking powder together then whisk to combine.
2. Cream butter and sugars in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add peanut butter and mix until incorporated.
3. Mix in egg and vanilla extract.
4. Add flour mixture and beat until incorporated.
5. Roll dough into one inch balls and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Flatten cookies with a fork in a criss-cross pattern. Bake cookies for about 8 minutes. Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheet, they need to set up before being transferred.

Pro Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies

• You will bake the cookies until almost done, the edge is just starting to change color. They will set up and continue baking with the residual internal heat after they’re pulled out of the oven.
• The cookies will be VERY soft just out of the oven so let them rest for a while; when cooled they will be firm enough to handle and quite delicious.  
• Store in an airtight container for up to a week for delicious anytime treats.
• Make sure to measure your flour correctly! A scale is best but the fluffing method works well to. If you have any questions about flour measuring check out the YouTube video I made about it.

How to Get the Perfect Fork Mark Pattern

To get the perfect fork mark/ criss-cross pattern try using skewers instead of a fork. I used my trusty wooden skewers, snapped a few in half, lined four up and pressed down. It took more time but I got the picture-perfect cookies of my dreams. A fork works well too of course, try to use one with long tines. For a clean release pull the fork away instead of lifting up, or it you’re using the skewers try twisting them. 

What’s the best peanut butter to use for these cookies?

• For best results use a smooth, salted peanut butter.
• There’s no need to use a sweetened peanut butter but if that’s what you have on hand it will work just fine, you make want to decrease the sugar by 2 tablespoons though.
• If you’re using a natural peanut butter without stabilizers make sure to mix really well after opening the jar. The oil heavy top of that jar will make very runny cookies.
• Any brand that you enjoy the taste of plain will be a great!

If you love these cookies try some of these recipes out!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

No Spread Sugar Cookies

Edible Cookie Dough

Cake Mix Cookies

If you’ve tried this easy peanut butter cookies recipe then don’t forget to leave a rating and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!

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Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

These ULTRA-easy, melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter cookies with just the right balance of salty and sweet are a sure to please treat.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 1 minute

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 18 cookies

Calories 193 kcal

Author John Kanell

Ingredients

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 180g
• 1/2 cup butter unsalted, room temp 113g
• 1 cup peanut butter 250g
• 1/2 cup brown sugar 100g, lightly packed
• 1/2 cup sugar 100g
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 5mL
• 1 egg large, room temp
• 3/4 tsp baking powder 3g

Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat over to 350F

2. Sift flour and baking powder together then whisk to combine.

3. Cream butter and sugars in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment.

4. Add peanut butter and mix until incorporated.

5. Mix in egg and vanilla extract then add flour mixture and beat until incorporated.

6. Roll dough into one inch balls and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

7. Flatten cookies with a fork in a criss-cross pattern.

8. Bake cookies for about 10 minutes.

9. Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheet, they need to set up before being transferred.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

You will bake the cookies until almost done. They will set up and continue baking with the residual internal heat after they're pulled out of the oven.

They will be VERY soft just out of the oven so let them rest for a while; when cooled they will be firm enough to handle and quite delicious.  

 

Nutrition Facts

Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Amount Per Serving (105 g)

Calories 193 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 5g25%

Cholesterol 23mg8%

Sodium 115mg5%

Potassium 129mg4%

Carbohydrates 16g5%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 170IU3%

Calcium 20mg2%

Iron 0.8mg4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.