Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Texture: These cookies are soft, chewy, and melt in your mouth, giving you the ideal balance between tenderness and flavor.
Peanut Butter Heaven: The rich peanut butter flavor shines through in every bite, making them perfect for peanut butter lovers.
Simple Ingredients: With easy-to-find ingredients, you’ll be able to whip up a batch of these delicious cookies in no time.
Quick to Make: Though you need to chill the dough, the actual preparation is quick and simple—ready in about an hour and twenty minutes.
Versatile: You can tweak this recipe to your preference by adding crunchy peanut butter or a sprinkle of cornstarch for extra softness.

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating on low speed until a soft dough forms.
Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to make it easier to handle.
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Shape the Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers look slightly underbaked. Be careful not to overbake; the cookies will continue to set as they cool.
Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and Timing

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Baking Time: 8-10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies

Variations

Crunchy Peanut Butter: For added texture, substitute creamy peanut butter with crunchy peanut butter.
Cornstarch for Softness: Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the dry ingredients for a softer, more tender cookie.
Add-ins: Mix in chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking for a twist.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store your peanut butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They will stay soft and chewy.
Freezing: You can freeze the cookies for up to 3 months. Just place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container and separate layers with parchment paper.
Reheating: To refresh the cookies, warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes.

FAQs

1. Can I use crunchy peanut butter in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute crunchy peanut butter for creamy peanut butter for a bit of texture and extra flavor.

2. Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough helps solidify the fat, making it easier to handle and ensuring the cookies bake up thick and chewy.

3. Can I skip the chilling step?

While you can skip the chilling step, the dough will be softer and harder to shape. The cookies may also spread more during baking.

4. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure to chill the dough thoroughly before baking. Also, don’t flatten the cookies too much with the fork, as this can cause them to spread too thin.

5. Can I use a different type of sugar in this recipe?

You can use coconut sugar or a sugar substitute, though it may slightly change the texture and flavor of the cookies.

6. How can I make the cookies even softer?

Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the dry ingredients for extra softness.

7. Can I freeze the cookie dough before baking?

Yes, you can freeze the dough. Roll it into balls and place them on a baking sheet, then freeze them. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe container. Bake from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.

8. Can I add chocolate chips to the cookie dough?

Absolutely! Chocolate chips pair wonderfully with peanut butter, so feel free to mix in a handful for added flavor.

9. How can I make the cookies more festive?

For a festive touch, try adding colored sprinkles or holiday-themed decorations to the tops of the cookies before baking.

10. Why are my cookies spreading too thin in the oven?

If your cookies are spreading too much, it could be due to the dough being too warm or your oven being too hot. Make sure to chill the dough thoroughly before baking and check your oven temperature.

Conclusion

These Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies are a peanut butter lover’s dream. With their perfect combination of rich flavor and tender texture, they make an ideal treat for any occasion. Whether enjoyed with a glass of milk or as a snack on their own, they are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Whip up a batch today, and you’ll see just how irresistible these cookies can be!

The BEST Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

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These Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies are the perfect blend of rich peanut butter flavor and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Ideal for any occasion or when you’re craving something sweet, these cookies will quickly become a favorite!

Author: Emily
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies
Category: Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt.
Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating on low speed until a soft dough forms.
Chill the Dough:
Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to make it easier to handle.
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Shape the Cookies:
Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
Flatten each ball slightly with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
Bake:
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers look slightly underbaked. Do not overbake; the cookies will continue to set as they cool.
Cool and Serve:
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Extra Softness: Add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the dry ingredients for an even softer texture.
Crunchy Option: Use crunchy peanut butter for added texture.
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.