Craving a comforting bite of nostalgia? Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies are the perfect treat to satisfy your sweet tooth.
With their soft centers, crisp edges, and irresistible nutty flavor, these classic cookies are ideal for any occasion—from after-school snacks to indulgent desserts.
Made with simple pantry ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, these cookies come together quickly and are sure to delight peanut butter lovers everywhere.
Ingredients List
Crafting the perfect Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies starts with the right balance of creamy and sweet components. Here’s what you’ll need to bring these soft, flavorful cookies to life:
Cookie Dough Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Required Kitchen Tools
When making Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies, having a few essential kitchen tools on hand can make the baking process smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter, sugars, and peanut butter to the right fluffy consistency.
- Mixing Bowls: At least one large bowl for combining the wet and dry ingredients.
- Baking Sheets: Use two baking sheets lined with parchment paper to ensure even baking and easy cleanup.
- Cookie Scoop: A scoop helps divide the dough evenly into uniform-sized cookies.
- Fork: To create the classic crisscross pattern on top of each cookie.
- Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool completely and maintain their texture.
Dough Preparation
Creating a perfect batch of chewy peanut butter cookies starts with proper dough preparation. This stage is key to achieving that irresistible soft-and-chewy texture we all love.
Mixing the Ingredients
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy—this should take about 3 minutes. This creaming process incorporates air into the dough, which helps with texture.
Next, add the creamy peanut butter and continue mixing for 1–2 minutes until the mixture is fully combined. Then add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until smooth and clump-free.
Incorporating Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, pinch of salt, and baking soda. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until everything is incorporated. Be careful not to overmix—this helps ensure a tender and chewy cookie texture.
Shaping and Baking the Cookies
Once your dough is ready, it’s time to shape and bake your chewy peanut butter cookies to perfection.
Shaping the Dough
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion the dough into 16 even-sized balls. Place 1/4 cup of granulated sugar in a small bowl. Roll each dough ball in the sugar, coating them evenly to create a delicate, sweet crust on the outside of the cookies.
Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving a bit of space between each one for spreading.
Creating the Signature Crisscross Pattern
Using the back of a fork, gently press down on each cookie dough ball to flatten it slightly. Then, rotate the fork and press again to form the traditional crisscross pattern that gives peanut butter cookies their classic look.
Baking Instructions
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and set. The centers will still look slightly soft—that’s what gives them their chewy texture.
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to rest on the baking sheets for 3–4 minutes. This helps them firm up before transferring. Finally, move the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Serving and Decoration
While these cookies are delicious as-is, you can enhance their flavor and presentation with a few simple touches.
Suggested Toppings and Finishing Touches
- Melted Chocolate Drizzle: For an extra indulgent twist, drizzle melted semi-sweet or dark chocolate over the cooled cookies.
- Chopped Peanuts: Sprinkle finely chopped roasted peanuts over the tops before baking for added crunch and a rustic look.
- Sea Salt: A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt after baking adds a sophisticated contrast to the sweetness and boosts the peanut butter flavor.
These finishing touches can make your peanut butter cookies stand out, whether you’re serving them at a gathering or enjoying them with a cold glass of milk.
Storage Instructions
Proper storage ensures that your cookies stay fresh and chewy for as long as possible.
How to Keep Peanut Butter Cookies Fresh
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain fresh and chewy for up to 5 days. For best results, layer the cookies with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
Freezing Peanut Butter Cookies
To freeze, place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for that fresh-baked taste.
Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add peanut butter and mix well.
- Add egg and vanilla extract; mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, salt, and baking soda.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture; mix just until combined.
- Scoop dough into 16 equal balls.
- Roll each dough ball in granulated sugar.
- Place dough balls on baking sheets.
- Flatten each ball with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
- Bake for 10 minutes until edges are set and lightly golden.
- Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 3–4 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Conclusion
Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies are a timeless treat that blend simplicity with rich, nutty flavor. With a soft center, sweet outer crust, and just the right touch of salt, these cookies are as satisfying as they are easy to make.
By following this detailed guide—from mixing and shaping to baking and storing—you’ll have a batch of perfect peanut butter cookies ready to enjoy or share.
