Homemade peanut butter cookies are a staple in many households. Easy to make with just a handful of ingredients, they are perfect for kids and adults alike.
Soft and chewy Peanut Butter Cookies made from scratch with a few pantry essentials.
What makes the BEST peanut butter cookies? For me, I like a soft cookie inside and a little bit of sugary crunch on the outside. There are a few tricks for making this happen.
How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies Soft
The first, like many cookie recipes, is to not overwork the cookie dough. Overmixing dough in most cake, brownie and cookies recipes can result in drier baked goods because there is more air to dry out the moisture.
Make sure you properly measure out your flour so you aren’t using too much. Don’t scoop it directly from the canister or bag, gently scoop it into the measuring cup or sifter so it is a very loose pack, not a hard pack like for brown sugar.
Make sure your brown sugar is soft and moist. This moisture plays a big part in keeping the cookies soft.
I also like to chill the dough slightly before baking. Mant bakers skip this step and don’t get me wrong, it is easier to not have to chill cookie dough, however chilled dough also spreads less and cooks slower, making your cookies softer and chewier.
PRO TIP: Avoid using a natural peanut butter. The peanuts and oil tend to separate in the jar and it doesn’t bind well in the cookie dough.
Use parchment paper on your cookie sheet. This is a simple solution that prevents sticking and burning. You can also use a silicone baking mat.
Next, remove them from the oven right before they look fully cooked. Often people wait until they are browned in the oven and then they are overdone when they come out. Take them out when they look a little doughy.
If they are lightly browned, then they are already overdone!
Lastly, allow them to cool for 2-3 minutes on the baking sheet, but then transfer them to a cooling rack. The residual heat from the hot baking sheet will continue to cook your cookies!
How long to do peanut butter cookies last?
Homemade peanut butter cookies can last for a good amount of time … unless you eat them all. I had two of these for breakfast, so clearly I am not a good example of self control or moderation.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
You can also freeze the cookies if wrapped well and in an airtight container. They’ll last for up to 6 months. Allow them to defrost at room temperature.
You can even freeze them and take them out individually. My husband loves to freeze chocolate chip cookies.
He takes one out right after dinner and by the time the kids are in bed it is perfectly defrosted (about 45 minutes) on the counter waiting for him.
Other cookie ideas you might like:
Sugar Cookie Cup Recipe
Molasses Cookie Sandwiches
Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Or even recipes that use peanut butter:
- Classic No Bake Cookies
- Instant Pot Cheesecake
- Scotcheroos
- Brownie Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting
Make homemade peanut butter cookies today and come back to let us know how they were!
Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3/4 cup butter , softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar , packed
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- extra sugar for rolling
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together softened butter with brown sugar and white sugar. Beat for 1 minutes.
- Add peanut butter and blend until combined.
- Add vanilla, blending again. And then one egg at a time, blending until combined.
- In a medium mixing bowl, soft together baking powder, baking soda, salt and flour.
- Add to wet mixture until just combined.
- Chill for 30-60 minutes until dough is set.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls and then roll in a bowl of white sugar.
- Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet.
- Flatten each cookie using a fork dipped in sugar (to prevent sticking) to make a crisscross pattern.
- Bake cookies 11-12 minutes or until right before they start to brown. Cool on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes, then carefully transfer to a cool rack.
- Store in an airtight container.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
Oh, do these look and sound scrumptious! As a peanut butter cookie lover, I can’t wait to sink my teeth into these.
Perfect and healthy snacks for kids, also very easy to make. Thanks for sharing.
I’m so impressed with how rich and peanut-buttery these tasted – it’s like all my childhood memories in one bite. These cookies didn’t last long in my house, and I’m already planning to make another batch this weekend.
These were fantastic! So soft and chewy, with the perfect amount of peanut butter!
These cookies are AH-mazing! I love how chewy they are. Peanut butter cookies are usually so dry and crumbly, but these are so soft. A+!
Peanut butter cookies are one of my family’s favorites. Your version is excellent! Perfect flavor and texture!
When I think of peanut butter cookies, I think of childhood and my Grandma’s cookie jar! I’d love to try your beautiful spin on this traditional recipe.