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Peanut Butter Cookies

Craving some delicious peanut butter cookies? These classic cookies are crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside.

Craving some delicious peanut butter cookies? These classic cookies are crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside.

When it comes to classic cookies I have specific preferences, as most probably do.

I like mine with lots of peanut butter flavour, and a nice and chewy texture with perfectly crisp edges. These peanut butter cookies definitely fit the bill!

They are really easy to make – you only need a few simple pantry ingredients. Read on for tips, variations, and of course the recipe.

So if you are looking for a delicious and easy cookie recipe, you need to try these!

Craving some delicious peanut butter cookies? These classic cookies are crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside.
Craving some delicious peanut butter cookies? These classic cookies are crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside.

Why You Will LOVE These Cookies

  • Soft and chewy centres
  • Satisfyingly crisp edges
  • Perfect amount of sweetness
  • Loaded with peanut butter flavour
  • No need to chill the dough
Craving some delicious peanut butter cookies? These classic cookies are crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside.

Peanut Butter Cookie Variations

  • Use crunchy peanut butter for crunch peanut butter cookies.
  • Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies? Just fold in a cup of chocolate chips into the dough.
  • Make stuffed cookies; place a mini Reese’s cup between two balls of cookie dough and press into a ball and bake for 10-11 minutes.
  • Peanut butter blossoms, do not flatten the cookies before baking. Then press one Hershey’s kiss into the centre of each cookie immediately after taking them out of the oven.
  • For chocolate dipped peanut butter cookies, just melt some chocolate and dip the cookies.
Craving some delicious peanut butter cookies? These classic cookies are crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside.

Tips for the BEST Peanut Butter Cookies

For the best cookies follow these helpful tips and tricks!

  • Measure your ingredients carefully, especially when it comes to the flour. Be sure to scoop and level the flour without packing it down.
  • Using a good quality peanut butter makes all the difference, or your favourite brand at the very least as it is the dominant flavour!
  • Using high-quality ingredients in general will result in better tasting cookies. Don’t skimp out on the pure vanilla extract if you want the best possible flavour.
  • Use a room temperature egg, it helps the egg combine into the dough better.
  • Only just combine the batter, do not over-mix.
  • Do not bake with margarine.
  • Use a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop or even a measuring spoon to portion out the dough evenly so that the cookies finish baking at the same time.
  • Chill the dough 15-20 minutes before baking if the dough has gotten quite warm to help prevent spreading. Otherwise there is no need to chill.
  • To help keep the fork from sticking when making the cross-hatch pattern on the cookies, dip it in sugar between cookies.
  • Don’t over-bake the cookies. When done the edges will be just golden.
  • Bake the cookies one sheet at a time.
  • Bake on the middle rack in your oven.
Craving some delicious peanut butter cookies? These classic cookies are crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside.

How to Get Perfectly Round Cookies

I highly recommend using a cookie scoop for this recipe. It will make the cookie dough balls perfectly round and all the same size, which helps them to bake evenly.’

If you don’t have a cookie scoop, measure the dough for the cookies using measuring spoons. Then, use your hands to roll the dough into a ball.

Once baked you can use a large round cookie cutter or bowl to swirl the warm cookies into perfect circles. This quick swirl evens out any uneven edges and makes the cookies look food magazine ready. Peanut butter cookies are quite soft so you want to let them cool off awhile before attempting this.

Craving some delicious peanut butter cookies? These classic cookies are crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside.

How to Store Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 1 week.

To freeze these cookies, you will want to flash freeze them in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet once cooked. Then simply place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw the cookies at room temperature.

You can also freeze the dough prior to baking. The simplest method is to form the dough balls and place onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and flash freeze for 30 minutes. Then place the frozen dough balls in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, thaw the dough balls at room temperature before baking according to the recipe instructions.

Craving some delicious peanut butter cookies? These classic cookies are crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside.
Ingredients for Peanut Butter cookies.

About the Ingredients for Peanut Butter Cookies

Butter: I recommend unsalted butter. If all you have is salted, omit the added salt from the frosting.

Sugar – We are using a mixture of basic white granulated sugar and brown sugar. You can do with either dark brown sugar or light brown sugar here. It adds depth and moisture to the cookies.

Peanut butter – Use your favourite regular, creamy peanut butter. Avoid using natural peanut butter, it is not a good substitute. You can use crunchy peanut butter instead for a fun variation on the classic.

Shortening – Butter adds a lot of flavour and helps give the peanut butter cookies a nice crispness to the edges, but shortening will help give the cookies a bit of softness. You can go all butter instead if needed, but the cookies won’t have that soft chewiness.

Vanilla extract – Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavour, but since these cookies aren’t very vanilla forward, artificial extract will work just as well.

Egg – Use a room temperature egg, it will help the dough come together better.

Flour – Spoon and level the flour when measuring it, otherwise your cookies may end up too dense.

Baking Soda – To leaven your cookies, so they are nice and fluffy. Make sure it is still active for best results!

Baking Powder – To leaven your cookies, so they are nice and fluffy. Make sure it is still active for best results!

Salt – Omit half the salt if using salted butter.

Craving some delicious peanut butter cookies? These classic cookies are crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside.

Looking for More Classic Cookie Recipes?

Check out more of my favourite cookies!

A recipe for no bake chocolate haystack cookies that is super simple to make and a great treat for Christmas or winter parties.

These melt-in-your-mouth Lemon Crinkle Cookies are absolutely dreamy. This cookie recipe is one of my favourites, I could have these for dessert everyday and be happy!

Looking for the perfect recipe for snickerdoodles? These delicious, soft & chewy cinnamon cookies are perfect for holiday celebrations!

Craving some delicious peanut butter cookies? These classic cookies are crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside.

How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies

Yields: 36 Cookies | Prep time: 15 Minutes | Cook time: 10 Minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup shortening
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper, and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars until combined.

Mix in the peanut butter and shortening, then add in the vanilla and egg.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

With mixer set on low speed, slowly add the dry mixture, and mix until just combined.

Scoop out 1 heaping tablespoon of dough at a time and form into balls, they should be about 1 1/4-inch big. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Using a fork dipped in sugar, flatten cookies slightly in a criss-cross pattern.

Bake the cookies one sheet at a time for 9-10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

Peanut Butter Cookies
Yield: 36 Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Craving some delicious peanut butter cookies? These classic cookies are crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup shortening
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper, and set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars until combined.
  3. Mix in the peanut butter and shortening, then add in the vanilla and egg.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  5. With mixer set on low speed, slowly add the dry mixture, and mix until just combined.
  6. Scoop out 1 heaping tablespoon of dough at a time and form into balls, they should be about 1 1/4-inch big. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  7. Using a fork dipped in sugar, flatten cookies slightly in a criss-cross pattern.
  8. Bake the cookies one sheet at a time for 9-10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

36

Serving Size:

1 Cookie

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 95Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 95mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 0gSugar: 6gProtein: 2g

This information is provided as a courtesy and for entertainment purposes only. This information comes from online calculators. Although frugalmomeh.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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Craving some delicious peanut butter cookies? These classic cookies are crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside.

Elizabeth

Saturday 28th of January 2023

I don't have a stand mixer. What other option do I have?

Elizabeth Lampman

Tuesday 31st of January 2023

You can definitely mix by hand with a large bowl and a whisk, or use a hand mixer if you have one. It's pretty easy to make these with just a whisk.

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