Peanut butter cookies are the ultimate comfort treat—soft, chewy, and packed with rich, nutty flavor. These cookies are inspired by the warmth of home kitchens and timeless Southern baking traditions. Whether you’re making a batch for a holiday cookie tray, a lunchbox surprise, or just because, these peanut butter cookies deliver that perfect balance of salty-sweet in every bite. With just a few pantry staples, you’ll have a nostalgic dessert that’s simple, satisfying, and full of heart.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 🥜 Simple pantry ingredients – Nothing fancy needed!
- 🍯 Perfect texture – Crispy edges, soft and chewy centers
- 🧁 Classic look – Iconic fork-pressed crisscross tops
- 🕒 Quick to make – Ready in under 30 minutes
- 👩🍳 Freezer-friendly – Make now, bake later
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 large egg
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream together peanut butter, butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla. Mix until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually combine dry ingredients with the wet mixture. Do not overmix.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
- Press tops with a fork in a crisscross pattern to flatten slightly.
- Bake 9–11 minutes, until edges are set but centers still soft.
- Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: ~24 cookies
- Estimated Cost: $3–5
- Course: Dessert, Snack
- Cuisine: American
- Keywords: peanut butter cookies, classic cookies, Southern baking
Nutrition Facts (Per Cookie – Approx.)
- Calories: 135
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Sugar: 9g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fiber: 1g
Tips & Variations
- 🌰 Go chunky – Use chunky peanut butter for extra texture
- 🍫 Add chocolate chips – Mix in ½ cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate
- 🥄 Chill the dough – 30 minutes of chilling reduces spreading
- 🌾 Make them gluten-free – Use a 1:1 GF flour substitute
- 🧊 Freeze the dough – Roll into balls and freeze for later use
- 🥜 Nutty twist – Add chopped peanuts for crunch
FAQs
Can I use natural peanut butter?
Yes, but stir well first to avoid oily separation. Expect a more rustic texture.
Why do peanut butter cookies have fork marks?
The dough is dense, so the crisscross pattern helps flatten them for even baking—and it’s tradition!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! Store in the fridge up to 3 days or freeze dough balls up to 2 months.
What if I only have salted butter?
Use it, but skip the added salt in the recipe.
Peanut Butter Cookies
Equipment
- – Mixing bowls
- – Hand or stand mixer
- – Cookie scoop
- – Baking sheet
- – Fork (for crisscross pattern)
Ingredients
- – 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- – ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- – ½ cup granulated sugar
- – ½ cup brown sugar
- – 1 large egg
- – 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- – ¾ tsp baking soda
- – ¼ tsp salt
- – 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheet with parchment.
- Cream together peanut butter, butter, and sugars.
- Add egg and vanilla, mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
- Roll into balls and place 2” apart. Flatten with fork.
- Bake 9–11 minutes. Cool 5 mins on sheet, then move to wire rack.
Notes
– Chill dough if baking in a warm kitchen
– Store in an airtight container up to 5 days
Conclusion
These peanut butter cookies are more than just a treat—they’re a warm memory, a bite of tradition, and a reminder that the best recipes often come from the simplest ingredients. Whether you’re baking them for someone you love or sneaking one with your coffee, they’re sure to bring a little joy to your day.