Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a simple, tasty peanut butter cookie recipe, you’re in the right place. A great peanut butter cookie is soft, chewy, and packed with that rich peanut butter flavor everyone loves. These cookies are quick to make and perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a snack, dessert, or gift.

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You don’t need fancy ingredients to get delicious results. Using smooth or crunchy peanut butter and mixing in some brown sugar helps your cookies stay moist and chewy.

Plus, a signature crisscross pattern on top isn’t just for looks—it helps the cookies bake evenly. You’ll love how easy and rewarding these cookies are to bake.

How to Make Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

You’ll need simple ingredients and clear steps to bake soft, chewy peanut butter cookies. Paying attention to mixing and baking will help you get the right texture every time. Small details like sugar choice and timing matter.

Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, room temperature
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. peanut butter*
1 large egg, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Extra sugar for topping

In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set bowl aside. In your mixer, mix together butter, brown sugar, and sugar. Blend until well mixed and creamy, about 2 minutes.

Mix in peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined. Mix in the flour mixture. Place the peanut butter dough in the refrigerator for about an hour to chill it.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place a couple of tablespoons of sugar in a small bowl. Using a cookie scoop, scoop the dough into uniform balls. Roll each ball in the sugar and place on a cookie sheet lined with a baking mat or parchment paper.

Use a fork to press a crisscross pattern into the top of each cookie ball, gently flattening each ball just a bit. Bake cookies for about 10-11 minutes, until the tops of the cookies are just starting to brown. Remove the cookies from the oven.

Let the cookies set on the cookie sheet for about 5 minutes, then move them to a wire baking rack to cool. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks.

Tips for Perfect Texture

For softer, chewier cookies, use both white and brown sugar. Brown sugar adds moisture. Don’t overbake—take them out when edges are just golden but centers still look soft.

Using creamy peanut butter gives a smooth texture. If you want a little crunch, use crunchy peanut butter instead.

Pressing the fork crisscross pattern helps the dough spread evenly. You don’t need to chill the dough, but if you do, it can help keep the cookies thicker.

Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft longer. You can freeze dough for up to two months.

Creative Peanut Butter Cookie Variations

You can easily change up peanut butter cookies to suit different diets and tastes. Whether you need gluten-free or vegan options or want to add fun flavors, there are simple ways to customize your cookies.

Gluten-Free Options

If you want to make gluten-free peanut butter cookies, you can swap regular flour for almond flour or oat flour. These flours keep the cookies soft and tasty without gluten. Make sure to check that all your other ingredients, like baking powder or chocolate chips, are gluten-free too.

You can also try making flourless peanut butter cookies. These usually just use peanut butter, sugar, and eggs. They are soft inside with a slight crunch on the outside. This is a great easy way to enjoy peanut butter cookies without any flour at all.

Vegan Alternatives

To make your peanut butter cookies vegan, replace eggs with flax eggs or applesauce. For one egg, mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water and let it sit until it thickens.

Use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter. You can also find dairy-free chocolate chips to add to your dough. These swaps keep your cookies soft and chewy without using animal products.

Mix-Ins and Toppings

You can add lots of fun ingredients to your peanut butter cookie dough. Try mixing in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or peanut butter cups for extra flavor.

For toppings, sprinkle sanding sugar before baking to create a crunchy outside. You can also press mini peanut butter cups into the center of each cookie before baking. This adds a chocolaty surprise inside every bite.

Easy peanut butter cookies recipes. One of my favorite summer food ideas!

Easy peanut butter cookies recipe. One of my favorite easy dessert ideas for summer.

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