Description
Irresistible homemade peanut butter cookies invite sweet-toothed bakers into a world of nostalgic comfort. Crisp edges and chewy centers promise a delightful indulgence you’ll savor with each memorable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup (4 oz / 115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (4 oz / 120 g) creamy peanut butter (natural or processed)
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (110 g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 ¼ cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup (75 g) chopped peanuts or peanut butter chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Preparation: Position oven rack in center and heat to 350F (175C), lining baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
- Creaming Process: Combine softened butter, peanut butter, granulated and brown sugars in a mixing bowl, whipping until light, fluffy, and pale in color, creating a voluminous base.
- Liquid Integration: Whisk egg and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, ensuring a smooth, homogeneous liquid foundation that binds the cookie dough.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together, then gently fold into wet ingredients, mixing minimally to prevent dense texture.
- Flavor Enhancement: Incorporate chopped peanuts or peanut butter chips, distributing evenly throughout the dough to maximize nutty complexity.
- Shaping Technique: Roll dough into uniform two-tablespoon spheres, placing on prepared sheets with ample spacing to accommodate spreading during baking.
- Signature Finish: Press fork tines across each dough ball, creating the iconic crosshatch pattern characteristic of classic peanut butter cookies.
- Baking Precision: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden and centers remain slightly soft, achieving perfect texture balance.
- Cooling Protocol: Rest cookies on baking sheet for five minutes, then transfer to wire rack to complete cooling and set structure.
- Storage Strategy: Seal completely cooled cookies in airtight container, preserving optimal flavor and texture for up to one week.
Notes
- Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened but not melted to achieve the perfect creamy, airy texture that creates tender, moist cookies.
- Avoid Overmixing Dough: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture to prevent developing tough, dense cookies that lack the desired soft, crumbly texture.
- Create Uniform Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or two-tablespoon measure to guarantee consistent size, ensuring even baking and professional-looking results.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Substitute gluten-free flour blend for all-purpose flour, use plant-based butter alternatives, or swap peanut butter with sunflower seed butter for allergen-friendly options.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 202
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 24 mg