Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
If you could bottle up nostalgia, it would taste a whole lot like these Classic Peanut Butter Cookies: perfectly chewy in the center, just a touch crisp at the edges, and absolutely brimming with comforting, nutty flavor. These cookies are a mainstay for a reason—they’re irresistibly good, quick to make, and guaranteed to teleport you back to the best kind of kitchen memories. Whether you bake them for a school lunchbox, for gifting, or just because you’re craving a homemade treat, Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are a feel-good bake you’ll return to again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in these cookies pulls its weight: from the rich peanut butter to the pinch of salt, each one matters for creating that beloved taste and texture. These are simple pantry staples, and together they bake up magic you can taste with every bite.
- Peanut Butter: The essential star—use creamy for smooth cookies or chunky if you love a bit of nutty crunch.
- Butter: Softened to room temperature, it adds richness and melds everything together.
- Brown Sugar: Provides a lovely depth of flavor and makes the cookies chewy.
- Granulated Sugar: Brings the right amount of sweetness and that signature slightly crisp crackle.
- Egg: Acts as the binder and gives the cookies structure.
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors and adds a sweet aromatic note.
- All-Purpose Flour: Gives the cookies their tender crumb and softness.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies puff up slightly and spread just right.
- Salt: Brightens all the other flavors and keeps the sweetness in check.
How to Make Classic Peanut Butter Cookies
Step 1: Cream the Peanut Butter, Butter, and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, combine your peanut butter, softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Beat with a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is pale, fluffy, and well combined. This step infuses the dough with air, ensuring your Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are tender and light.
Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in the egg and pour in that luscious vanilla extract. Beat again just until everything’s smooth and evenly blended. These ingredients add richness and aroma, deepening the flavor of your cookies.
Step 3: Mix Together the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk your all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Giving these dry ingredients a good stir before adding them to the dough makes sure everything bakes up evenly and with the perfect rise.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing on low. Go slow and steady—once the dough starts to come together, stop mixing. Overmixing can make cookies tough instead of tender.
Step 5: Shape and Flatten
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and space them out on your baking sheet. Grab a fork, dip it in sugar, and flatten each ball with a gentle crisscross pattern. This signature mark not only looks classic, but helps the Classic Peanut Butter Cookies bake evenly.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Pop the tray into a 350°F oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and just turning golden. The centers should still look a bit soft—this is the secret to chewy cookies. Let them cool on the sheet for a couple of minutes before moving to a rack to cool completely (if you can wait that long!).
How to Serve Classic Peanut Butter Cookies
Garnishes
Just a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking takes these Classic Peanut Butter Cookies to new heights, drawing out all the best peanutty notes. For a special touch, drizzle a little melted chocolate on top, or press mini chocolate chips into the tops before baking for a bakery-worthy finish.
Side Dishes
There’s nothing more classic than a cold glass of milk alongside these cookies, but they also pair beautifully with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa. Serve them with sliced apples or banana for an after-school snack that checks every box—crunchy, creamy, and sweet.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the cookies and tie with twine for a nostalgic gift, or crumble them over vanilla ice cream for dessert perfection. For a cookie sandwich twist, spread a little extra peanut butter or a schmear of marshmallow fluff between two cookies and press gently—absolutely irresistible!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Classic Peanut Butter Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and chewy for up to a week, though they’re so tempting, they rarely last that long.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies either baked or unbaked! Place baked cookies in a freezer-safe bag with parchment between layers. For unbaked dough, roll into balls and freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag—just bake a minute or two longer straight from frozen for cookies on demand.
Reheating
To revive that “fresh from the oven” magic, pop a cookie or two in the microwave for about 8 seconds. They’ll come out warm and just as comforting as when you first made them.
FAQs
Can I use natural peanut butter?
You can! Natural peanut butter yields a slightly crumblier cookie, so give the dough a good stir and add an extra tablespoon of flour if it feels especially oily or loose.
Why do peanut butter cookies have fork marks?
The crisscross fork pattern flattens the dense dough so Classic Peanut Butter Cookies bake evenly—and it gives them that distinctive, homemade look.
What’s the secret to chewy cookies?
Don’t overbake! Pull your cookies from the oven when the centers still look a tiny bit underdone—they’ll finish setting up as they cool, staying perfectly soft and chewy.
Can I make Classic Peanut Butter Cookies gluten-free?
Yes, swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The cookies will still hold together and taste wonderful—just be sure to check your baking soda is gluten-free, too.
Should I chill the dough?
With this easy recipe, you don’t have to chill the dough unless your kitchen is very warm. If your dough feels sticky or you want neatly shaped cookies, a 20-minute chill helps the cookies keep their shape.
Final Thoughts
Few things bring more joy than a batch of freshly baked Classic Peanut Butter Cookies cooling on the counter. Whether you’re baking with little helpers or enjoying quiet kitchen time, this is a recipe that turns simple ingredients into pure delight. Give it a try—you might just find it becomes one of your new favorite traditions!
