The Best Soft And Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
Let’s talk cookies today. These soft and chewy peanut butter cookies are the next level delicious, seriously.
If you’re a peanut butter lover, this is your ultimate treat—perfectly soft, sweet, and with that rich peanut butter flavor we all like.
Trust me, they’re about to be your new favorite go-to cookie from today.
How to Make Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky, your call!)
- 1 cup sugar (granulated)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt (if your peanut butter isn’t salted)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). You want it nice and hot when those cookies hit the sheet!
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter and sugar until it’s smooth and well combined.
Use a spoon, a mixer, or even your hands (I won’t judge). You’re just getting them to cozy up together.
Step 3: Add in the egg, vanilla extract, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Mix it all up until everything is nicely blended.
Don’t worry, no flour here, just simple ingredients that work in harmony.
Step 4: Now it’s time to scoop out the dough! You can use a spoon or a cookie scoop.
Roll the dough into balls, about 1 tablespoon each. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between them because they’ll spread just a tad.
Step 5: Time for the classic peanut butter cookie crisscross! Using a fork, press down on each cookie ball, making a crisscross pattern on top.
This is also the moment to gently press the edges down if they look a bit too high and rounded. We want soft and chewy, not super thick!
Step 6: Bake these little beauties for about 8-10 minutes. Don’t overdo it! You’ll know they’re ready when they’ve got that golden brown edge, but the center is still soft and slightly underbaked.
Don’t worry, they’ll set as they cool!
Step 7: Once they’re out of the oven, let them sit on the baking sheet for a minute or two before transferring them to a wire rack.
This helps them firm up just the right amount.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Overbaking
It’s easy to think they need extra time in the oven, but trust me, they’re perfect when they’re still soft in the center. Overbake them, and you’ll lose that chewy texture.
Mistake #2: Using the wrong peanut butter
Go for a smooth peanut butter, or if you love some extra crunch, choose chunky. But make sure it’s creamy enough to blend well!
Mistake #3: Forgetting to let them cool
Hot cookies are irresistible, but they need those few minutes on the baking sheet to set up perfectly. Resist the urge to grab one immediately.
Mistake #4: Pressing too hard with the fork
A light crisscross pattern is enough. Pressing too hard will flatten the cookies too much, and you might lose that soft texture.
Recipe Best Tips
- If you like your cookies extra peanut-buttery, add a couple extra tablespoons of peanut butter into the dough.
- Want a bit of chocolate in there? Mix in some chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies. Peanut butter and chocolate are a match made in heaven!
- Let the dough chill for 30 minutes before baking if you want to make it ahead. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape better while baking.
- For a fun twist, sprinkle a little sea salt on top of each cookie before baking. It adds a nice contrast to the sweetness!
Serving Suggestions
⑴ Serve these cookies with a tall glass of milk; peanut butter and milk are just meant to be together.
⑵ Want to take it to the next level delicous? Warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top for a quick dessert!
⑶ These cookies also make a perfect snack with your afternoon coffee or tea. Trust me, you’ll be dunking in no time.
Storage and Freezing
① Storage
Keep these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
They’re so soft and chewy, they’ll stay fresh for a good while, but honestly, they’ll probably be gone before then!
② Freezing
To freeze the dough, roll it into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze the dough balls for 1-2 hours until firm, then transfer them to a zip-top bag or an airtight container.
You can bake them straight from the freezer, just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
A: Absolutely! If you like a little extra texture, go for the crunchy peanut butter. Just make sure it’s still smooth enough to mix easily with the other ingredients.
Q: How do I know when they’re done?
A: The edges should be golden, but the center will still look soft. If you press lightly on them, they should bounce back but not be firm.
Q: Can I add chocolate chips to this recipe?
A: Yes, please! Chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in cookie heaven. Just fold in about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips into the dough before rolling it into balls.
Q: Can I use a sugar substitute instead of regular sugar?
A: You can, but keep in mind that the texture might change a little. If you use a sugar substitute, go for one that measures like sugar to keep the balance right.
Q: What if I don’t have baking soda?
A: You can use baking powder as a substitute, but the texture might be a bit different. If you don’t have either, you can skip it, though your cookies may be a little denser.
Q: How do I store these cookies?
A: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. They should stay soft and chewy for days!
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can make the dough in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just bake when you’re ready to enjoy them!
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Of course! These cookies are so good, you’ll want a bigger batch. Just make sure to adjust your baking sheets and oven time accordingly.
Conclusion
There you have it. Soft, chewy, peanut butter cookies that are a total delicious.
These little treats are perfect for any time you want to satisfy that sweet tooth.
Now go ahead, make these cookies, and let me know how they turned out for you!
I’d love to hear your thoughts or see how you made them your own.
You Might Also Want To Try
- Chocolate, Fudgy, And Cream Cheese Brownies Recipe
- Green Bean Casserole Recipe
- Biscoff Cheesecake Recipe
⤵⬇
The Best Soft And Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup peanut butter smooth or chunky, your call!
- 1 cup sugar granulated
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt if your peanut butter isn’t salted
Instructions
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). You want it nice and hot when those cookies hit the sheet!
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter and sugar until it’s smooth and well combined.
- Use a spoon, a mixer, or even your hands (I won’t judge). You’re just getting them to cozy up together.
Step 3: Add in the egg, vanilla extract, baking soda, and pinch of salt. Mix it all up until everything is nicely blended.
- Don’t worry, no flour here, just simple ingredients that work in harmony.
Step 4: Now it’s time to scoop out the dough! You can use a spoon or a cookie scoop.
- Roll the dough into balls, about 1 tablespoon each. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between them because they’ll spread just a tad.
Step 5: Time for the classic peanut butter cookie crisscross! Using a fork, press down on each cookie ball, making a crisscross pattern on top.
- This is also the moment to gently press the edges down if they look a bit too high and rounded. We want soft and chewy, not super thick!
Step 6: Bake these little beauties for about 8-10 minutes. Don’t overdo it! You’ll know they’re ready when they’ve got that golden brown edge, but the center is still soft and slightly underbaked.
- Don’t worry, they’ll set as they cool!
Step 7: Once they’re out of the oven, let them sit on the baking sheet for a minute or two before transferring them to a wire rack.
- This helps them firm up just the right amount.
Notes
- These cookies are super soft and chewy, so don’t overbake them!
- Feel free to add chocolate chips or a sprinkle of sea salt for extra flavor.
