Best Peanut Butter Cookies
Look no further for the BEST Peanut Butter Cookies. With just the right “snap” and texture from extra crunchy peanut butter, they’ll instantly become a family favorite!
I’ve been making this Homemade Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe for years. Once I find a favorite, there’s no need to hunt down another. This recipe is the finest!
Why You Must Make
I was heading to Denver to visit my youngest sister, Maddy, who used to eat slice after slice of peanut butter toast when we were children. I knew she’d be thrilled with a special delivery of these Easy Peanut Butter Cookies.
- I was not mistaken. She loved how tender and not overly sweet these babies were. Bill shared the family tradition he started years ago in his grandfather’s kitchen with Maddy and her husband. Bill’s dad caught his middle son eating cookies and milk early one morning during one of their visits. My father-in-law wasn’t pleased and started scolding Bill until Bill’s Great-aunt Kate intervened with, “It’s OK. It’s a breakfast cookie.” Bill’s dad was raised by his aunt and knew immediately he had no retort for any rules put out by the matriarch of the household.
- This recipe from Dorie Greenspan makes the BEST peanut butter cookies I’ve ever eaten.
- This recipe uses extra chunky peanut butter to give an added bonus of small bits of peanuts.
Maddy was happy to adopt the idea of breakfast cookies. I did comment that at least a peanut butter cookie contained a bit more protein than the Oreos and chocolate chip breakfast cookies that I’d observed the hubby snacking on for his breakfast cookie!
Recipe Notes
- Kitchen staples: All-purpose flour, sugar, salt
- Baking soda
- Baking powder: Check the expiration date as this product often expires before you use it all. You can check its freshness by putting a spoonful in a cup of very hot water. If it’s still active, it will bubble vigorously. If it doesn’t, buy a fresh can before making this recipe.
- Brown sugar
- Eggs: All my recipes use large eggs
- Butter: I used salted
- Extra Chunky Peanut Butter: Creamy is fine if you don’t like the texture of extra chunky. I used Jif brand.
Expert Tips
- As with most cookies, have your butter and eggs at room temperature. They’ll incorporate into the batter better than when they’re fresh out of the refrigerator.
- Pro-Tip: Make sure both your baking soda and baking powder haven’t expired. Baking powder, in particular, has a shorter life span and since it’s used less frequently, it often loses its leavening strength before you even put a dent in the container.
- Use extra chunky peanut butter in this peanut butter cookie recipe. It adds some wonderful texture and peanut butter flavor.
- If you do not like nuts in your cookies, feel free to use creamy peanut butter instead.
- I used Jif peanut butter. This recipe was not tested with homemade or natural peanut butter, which is not as thick as national brands.
- PRO-Tip: Spray your measuring cup with non-stick spray before measuring out sticky ingredients like peanut butter or honey. It will release like a dream and make clean-up a lot easier.
- Use a cookie disher to scoop out even-sized balls of cookie dough. Roll them between your palms to form dough balls.
- PRO-Tip: Roll your dough balls in sugar. The sugar helps prevent the fork from sticking to the dough.
- Take a table fork and press down to flatten a dough ball. Rotate the fork and press down to form a hashmark # across the surface. See the photo above for how the markings should look on a batch these easy peanut butter cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Peanut butter dough is quite dense. Using a fork to press a hash mark onto the top of each dough ball presses each dough ball into a flat disk. These disks will bake more evenly than a round of dough. Plus, these fork marks have become the iconic symbol of a peanut butter cookie! Those with peanut allergies know to steer clear!
Store your peanut butter cookies in an airtight container. At room temperature, they’ll stay fresh for about 4 days. Alternatively, store these easy peanut butter cookies in the freezer for up to 4 months.
You May Also Like
Whether or not you want to legitimize the breakfast cookie at your house, you’ll definitely want to bake up a batch of these classic peanut butter cookies.
- Salted Caramel Peanut Pie by Hungry Couple
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Bars
- Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies
- Frozen Peanut Butter Pie
- Homemade Reese’s Bars
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie
- Best Peanut Butter Lovers Recipes
- More Dessert Recipes
- More Cookie Recipes
The Best Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Easy, old-fashioned peanut butter cookies!
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- ½ teaspoon of baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup of peanut butter (I used extra chunky Jif)
- 1 cup of brown sugar
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- Additional sugar for rolling the dough balls
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º. Line baking sheets with parchment.
- Whisk the dry ingredients together and set aside.
- Using a mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter till smooth and creamy.
- Add the peanut butter and beat for another minute. Add the sugars and beat for a few minutes more.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating for one minute after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
- On low speed or by hand, add the reserved dry ingredients, mixing only till incorporated.
- Put some sugar into a pie plate. Scoop out level tablespoons of dough and roll in sugar to coat. Place dough balls on prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2-inches between them.
- To make the criss-cross pattern, dip a fork in sugar and press down on top of the dough balls in one direction, then again in the opposite direction.
- Bake for about 12 minutes. Cool on the cookie sheet for about a minute before moving to a cooling rack.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Dorie Greenspan.
Eggs and butter should be at room temperature for easier incorporation. You may use smooth peanut butter if that's your preference.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
36Serving Size:
1 cookieAmount Per Serving: Calories: 159Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 136mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 3g
50 Comments on “Best Peanut Butter Cookies”
Peanut butter cookies is so yummy and my kids approved it, I am going to make it again.
I love the story of the breakfast cookie and a definite yes to using extra chunky peanut butter.
I am a peanut butter cookie lover. These cookies look yummy. I was surprised that they have both baking soda and baking powder. I am going to have to bake these, just for myself.
I have a fabulous measuring cup that has a plunger that works like a dream for sticky ingredients like PB, I love it because you can even see through the sleeve to make sure that there are no air gaps. I love PB cookies, particularly if they are not too sweet. I can see why everyone loves your recipe so much.
Eva, I have one of those measuring cups, too. Thanks for reminding me!!!
Sometimes those no flour 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies are far to sweet. This recipe is far better and has that perfect chew!
Such a great treat! My kids really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
There aren’t many peanut butter cookie lovers in my family but I’m sure I can find someone to share these with.
I’m all for breakfast cookies, but truth be told, I’m all for cookies!
This looks delicious. gonna make this for dinner! this is my sons favorite I must make it for him 🙂
Peanut butter cookies are one of my favorites. These look amazing!
So funny, I always tell myself how peanut butter cookies contain a lot of protein so they’re healthier than most cookies, and perfectly fine for breakfast. I’m being 100% serious! I love that! YUM! 🙂 ~Valentina
Liz, these peanut butter cookies look amazing! Love the chunky peanut butter in them for that yummy crunch!
Peanut butter cookies will always be one of my favourites! I’m lucky in that none of my kids have peanut allergies, and they LOVE peanut butter cookies!
Peanut butter cookies are one of our favourites too, so easy to whip up. Will be sure to give these a try next time.
I shall look no further! These look perfect. Yes, the iconic fork marks – perhaps that is good now for those with allergies to be able to spot them right away?
I love the simplicity of this recipe. That’s what makes it so incredibly good!
Running to the kitchen to make these right now! I love how delicious these look.
Can’t wait to make these delicious cookies for Christmas! They are a classic!
Love these cookies! Perfect for any occasion.
I can totally get behind cookies for breakfast! These pb cookies are one of our favorites, any time of day!
Such a delicious classic cookie! Delicious!
Excellent! Reminded me of being a kid again!
These look amazing! I love peanut butter cookies. They are definitely a classic. I’m always up for cookies you can have for breakfast too! I need to make a batch.
These have to be the perfect peanut butter cookies! I need to make a batch!
this is my sons favorite cookies I must make them for him with his birthday coming up soon!
I could have this cookie for breakfast any day and so would my husband. I never baked peanut butter cookies. I have to try these. Pinned!
Hi, I love your blog, I love all your recipes, wonderful!
And I love this peanut butter cookies!
It’s a real pleasure for me to have found you!
Kiss
Sabrina
www.delizieeconfidenze.com
I just made some peanut butter cookies too! I used a little more peanut butter in my ratio. 🙂
You’re right. The kids here at The Gant will love these cookies. Just printed out the recipe.
mmmmm love nutty desserts! ;P These pb cookies look so soft and full of flavor-my idea of the perfect snack!
I always forget about the classic peanut butter cookie. I have no idea why because they are delicious…they need more respect, but those stupid chocolate chip cookies keep stealing the starring role! Thanks for bringing back a classic!
You can never go wrong with a classic PB cookie, these look so good!
I love peanut butter cookies. I think you need to package these bad boys up and send them to me asap. Quality control and all that. Bah ha ha.
My mom used to make peanut butter cookies all the time. Every time I see peanut butter cookies I think of my mom.
I am so glad you joined us for this event. So much fun. I swear the FB group was a total riot. I laughed all month long leading up to this event. Nothing like a good giggle to ease the stress.
Aw these look just lovely! I really like the cute criss cross pattern on top!
I love such simple and classic cookies and my son would go crazy for these peanut butter cookies…
nothing like peanut butter cookies!
I love love love peanut butter cookies! So dang good it is wrong!
Haha, love that story. I would love to have a few of these PB cookies for breakfast – they look delicious!
There is nothing more comforting than a perfect peanut butter cookie and yours fit the bill!!!
A perfectly classic cookie to show off your nuts.
I would be willing to call these breakfast. And lunch. And dinner. 🙂
I’m not only making these delicious looking cookies but I’m telling the boys they’re for breakfast. They’ll love you forever for that!
Breakfast cookies?!?! I’m in and I will take three please!
Peanut butter is definitely my favorite form of any nuts. Can never go wrong with classic pb cookies.
When they’re soft and chewy like yours look, peanut butter cookies are by and far my favorite snack… yum! I’m glad we got nutty together, Lizzy!
Yep, I’d love to have a few of these for breakfast! Also saw Rosettes in your “you might also like”, they are beautiful! I’ve often thought about getting an iron:@)
I love such simple classic cookies 🙂 with a glass of cold milk.. 🙂
It’d be nutty not to have such delicious looking cooked for breakfast! Your PB photos and recipes look very scrumptious, indeed, Liz =)
P.s. Now I know Maddy is the sister with the gorgeous art work…What a talented family!
How about a #grabyourcookiesday? These look delicious, I just want to steal them all! Your other peanut butter recipes are equally divine!!