These Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies are everything you want in a classic homemade cookie: rich peanut butter flavor, crisp edges, and a soft, chewy center.
Made with simple pantry ingredients, this recipe comes together quickly and fills the kitchen with that irresistible peanut butter cookie aroma. The traditional fork crisscross pattern gives them a classic homemade look that’s perfect for cookie jars, holidays, or everyday baking.
🛒 Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Cream the Butter and Peanut Butter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar.
Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3. Add the Egg and Vanilla
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined and smooth.
4. Add the Dry Ingredients
Add the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Mix just until a soft cookie dough forms. Avoid overmixing once the flour has been incorporated.
5. Shape the Cookies
Scoop the dough into small, evenly sized balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
6. Create the Classic Crisscross
Using the tines of a fork, gently press down on each dough ball to create the traditional crisscross pattern.
You can lightly dip the fork in sugar between cookies if it starts sticking to the dough.
7. Bake
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly set.
The centers may still look slightly soft when you remove them from the oven. That’s exactly what helps keep these cookies soft and chewy.
8. Cool
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
⭐ Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies
Use softened butter: Soft butter blends smoothly with the sugars and peanut butter.
Don’t overbake: The cookies will continue to set as they cool. Taking them out when the edges are just set helps maintain a soft center.
Use creamy peanut butter: Regular creamy peanut butter works best for a smooth, consistent dough.
Measure flour correctly: Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off to avoid adding too much.
Give them room: Leave enough space between the cookies because they will spread slightly as they bake.
🍫 Easy Variations
For chocolate peanut butter cookies, add ½–1 cup of chocolate chips to the dough.
For a salty-sweet combination, sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the cookies immediately after baking.
You can also press a chocolate candy into the center of each warm cookie for an extra-special treat.
🧊 Storage
Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
To keep them extra soft, place a small piece of bread in the container. Replace it when needed.
The unbaked cookie dough can also be portioned and frozen. Store the dough balls in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months and bake from chilled or slightly thawed, adding a minute or two to the baking time if needed.
🍪 Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these cookies with a cold glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or your favorite tea.
They’re also perfect for cookie exchanges, lunchboxes, holiday trays, and homemade gifts.
📋 Recipe Information
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: About 22 minutes
Yield: About 24 cookies, depending on size
Category: Cookies & Desserts
Cuisine: American
❤️ Final Thoughts
These Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies are a classic for a reason. They’re simple to prepare, packed with peanut butter flavor, and have that perfect combination of lightly set edges and soft, chewy centers.
Whether you’re baking a batch for your family or filling the cookie jar, this easy recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again. 🥜🍪