Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel undertones and helps retain moisture for extra chewiness.
White Granulated Sugar: Enhances sweetness and helps create crisp cookie edges.
For Moisture and Binding:
Large Egg: Acts as natural binding agent that helps hold cookie ingredients together.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Intensifies overall flavor profile with warm, aromatic notes.
Optional Finishing Touch:
Sea Salt: Provides delightful flavor contrast and gourmet finishing touch to cookies.
Tools for Cookie-Baking Without the Fuss
Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for beating butter, sugar, and creating a creamy mixture.
Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure consistent cookie texture.
Tablespoon or cookie scoop: Helps create uniform cookie sizes for even baking.
Baking sheet: Provides the surface for baking cookies.
Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
Fork: Creates the classic crisscross pattern on top of cookies.
Cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and maintain crispness.
Peanut Butter Cookie Instructions You Can Trust
Peanut Butter Cookie Adventure
Butter and Sugar Harmony Grab room temperature butter and sugars, then blend them together until they form a creamy, dreamy mixture that looks smooth and inviting.
Flavor Boosters Add peanut butter, an egg, and a splash of vanilla to create a rich and aromatic base that will make your kitchen smell amazing.
Dry Ingredient Magic Gently fold in flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt, mixing until everything comes together into a soft, supple dough that feels just right.
Cookie Shaping Fun Roll the dough into small balls, placing them on a lined baking sheet with plenty of breathing room between each delightful morsel.
Classic Fork Design Press a fork gently across each cookie in a criss-cross pattern, creating those iconic ridges that signal a classic peanut butter cookie.
Oven Transformation Slide the baking sheet into a preheated oven and bake until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown, filling your home with an irresistible aroma.
Cooling Moment Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack where they'll finish cooling and become perfectly chewy.
Easy Ways to Customize These Cookies
Flavor-Boosting Peanut Butter Cookie Tricks: Swap regular peanut butter for crunchy varieties to add extra texture and nutty chunks throughout your cookies.
Chocolate Lover's Twist: Drizzle melted dark or milk chocolate over cooled cookies, or mix chocolate chips directly into the dough for a decadent upgrade.
Nutty Crunch Enhancement: Fold chopped peanuts, almonds, or pecans into the dough to create a delightful crunch and amplify the nutty flavor profile.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough balls in advance and freeze them. When craving strikes, bake directly from frozen state, adding 2-3 extra minutes to baking time for perfect results.
Storage Wisdom: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer preservation, store in the refrigerator for a week or freeze for up to one month, separating layers with parchment paper.
Plating Peanut Butter Cookies for Any Occasion
Milky Companion Pairing: Serve these warm, chewy peanut butter cookies alongside a cold glass of milk for the ultimate classic dessert experience that brings out the rich, nutty flavors.
Decadent Ice Cream Delight: Sandwich a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream between two cookies for an indulgent treat that combines creamy and crunchy textures.
Afternoon Tea Elegance: Arrange these cookies on a beautiful plate with a selection of herbal teas, creating a perfect mid-afternoon snack that feels both comforting and sophisticated.
Gifting Gourmet Touch: Package these cookies in a cute mason jar or decorative tin with a ribbon, making them a thoughtful homemade gift for friends, family, or neighbors who appreciate freshly baked treats.
Storage Tips for Soft, Chewy Cookies
Smart Storage Solutions: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and soft texture.
Quick Freezing Technique: Layer cookies between wax paper in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cookies stay delicious for 3 months, perfect for unexpected sweet cravings.
Dough Preparation Hack: Create cookie dough balls in advance and refrigerate for 24 hours or freeze unbaked for convenient future baking. Simply thaw and bake when desired.
Moisture Management Trick: Add a slice of bread to your storage container to maintain cookie softness and prevent them from becoming dry or crumbly.
Homemade chewy peanut butter cookies combine classic comfort with irresistible nutty sweetness. Rich ingredients and simple techniques deliver a delightful treat you’ll want to share with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
¾ cup (180 ml) creamy peanut butter
½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar
¼ cup (50 g) white granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 ⅓ cups (167 g) unbleached all-purpose flour
¾ tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
Optional: sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare: Heat oven to 350°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.
Soften Fats: Gently microwave butter until softened, maintaining a solid consistency, then combine with peanut butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl, whisking until smooth and creamy.
Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Blend in egg and vanilla extract, ensuring a uniform wet mixture that binds all components seamlessly.
Create Dough: Gradually integrate flour, baking soda, and baking powder, mixing until a cohesive dough forms without visible flour streaks.
Shape and Decorate: Scoop uniform dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving ample space between each. Use a fork to create the classic crosshatch pattern, pressing first horizontally, then vertically. Optionally, sprinkle sea salt crystals for enhanced flavor complexity.
Bake to Perfection: Slide tray into the preheated oven and bake for 9-10 minutes, targeting pale golden edges while maintaining a tender center.
Cool and Serve: Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack, allowing them to set and develop a delightful chewy texture for approximately 15 minutes before indulging.
Create Uniform Cookies: Use a tablespoon measure to ensure consistent size and even baking for picture-perfect results.
Master the Crosshatch Technique: Gently press fork first horizontally, then vertically to achieve classic peanut butter cookie design and signature texture.
Salt Enhances Flavor: Sprinkle sea salt crystals before baking to elevate the cookie’s sweet-savory balance and depth of taste.
Dietary Planning, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education, Content Development
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice.
Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating.
Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.
Emily Roberts
Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Dietary Planning, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education, Content Development
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating.
Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.