Best Peanut Butter Cookies

There’s something undeniably special about the aroma of freshly baked peanut butter cookies. Their simple yet irresistible flavor is both nostalgic and comforting. It’s no wonder they’re an absolute classic in American kitchens!

While the exact origins are a bit fuzzy, peanut butter cookies emerged in the early 1900s. George Washington Carver, the renowned agricultural scientist, played a key role in popularizing peanuts. His work with peanut-based recipes helped pave the way for the beloved peanut butter cookie.

Over the years, peanut butter cookies have exploded in popularity. Today, they are one of the most enjoyed cookie varieties in the United States. The beauty lies in how versatile they are! You can find peanut butter cookies in endless variations, with additions like chocolate chips, nuts, and even candies.

While there are many delicious versions of peanut butter cookies out there, we’re on a quest to find the ultimate recipe. The one that delivers that perfect balance of peanut butter flavor, a tender crumb, and the ideal chewiness.

The Ultimate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

This recipe stands out for several reasons. First, it’s incredibly simple, utilizing basic ingredients found in most pantries. Second, it strikes the ideal balance between sweet and salty, a hallmark of the perfect peanut butter cookie. Finally, it focuses on the techniques that will produce the most incredible texture—a subtly crisp exterior with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior. With this recipe, you’re well on your way to baking peanut butter cookie perfection!

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Cookies

• Peanut Butter: Opt for creamy peanut butter, preferably a well-known brand. Avoid natural peanut butters, which often have a different consistency.
• Butter: Unsalted butter offers control over saltiness. It should be softened at room temperature for easy mixing.
• Sugar: A combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar is key. Granulated sugar adds sweetness, while brown sugar contributes moisture and a delightful chewiness.
• Egg: One large egg adds richness, binds the dough together, and helps the cookies rise.
• Flour: All-purpose flour provides the structure for your cookies.
• Baking soda and baking powder: These leavening agents work together to give the cookies a little lift and a tender texture.
• Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Mixing the Dough

1. Cream the Fats and Sugars: Start by beating the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer. This step incorporates air, which contributes to a lighter cookie.

2. Add the Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg until fully incorporated. Then, stir in the vanilla extract for that classic warm flavor.

3. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Combining them first ensures even distribution in the dough.

4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix – this can lead to tough cookies.

5. Finishing Touches: If desired, fold in any mix-ins like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or other favorites. It’s best to do this by hand for gentle incorporation.

Tips:

• Room temperature ingredients mix together more easily, creating a smoother dough.
• For extra peanut butter flavor, try browning the butter first for a slightly nutty note.
• Your dough should be soft and slightly sticky but still hold its shape when scooped

Baking Tips for Perfect Texture

• Preheat the Oven: A fully preheated oven (375°F/190°C is standard) ensures even baking and proper spreading.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Mat: This prevents sticking and promotes even browning on the bottom of your cookies.
• Scooping: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniformly sized cookies. This ensures they bake evenly.
• Spacing: Leave adequate space between cookies on the baking sheet. They will spread a bit, so avoid overcrowding.
• Baking Time: Start by baking for 10-12 minutes. Check for doneness – edges should be set, and the centers will appear slightly soft. Remember, they’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
• Cooling: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set properly.

Pro Tip Slightly underbaking your peanut butter cookies will lead to the ultimate soft and chewy texture!

Variations to Customize

The beauty of this recipe is its versatility! Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

• Chocolate Lovers: Fold in chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, or dark), peanut butter chips, or chopped chocolate chunks.
• Nutty Delights: Add chopped peanuts, pecans, or walnuts for extra crunch.
• Sweet Surprises: Stir in mini M&M’s, toffee bits, or butterscotch chips for pops of color and flavor.
• Classic Combo: Top unbaked cookies with a Hershey’s Kiss for the iconic Peanut Butter Blossom.

Secret to Soft and Chewy Cookies

The Role of Ingredients and Baking Science

• Peanut Butter and Butter: Fats like these contribute to tenderness and the melt-in-your-mouth texture. Butter also helps cookies spread slightly, creating that classic cracked appearance.
• The Sugar Ratio: The balance of granulated and brown sugar is key. Brown sugar has a higher moisture content, which is essential for both chewiness and a slightly deeper flavor.
• Egg: Beyond binding the dough, the protein in eggs provides structure and helps with a bit of lift in the cookies.
• Leavening Agents: The combination of baking soda and baking powder gives the ideal rise.
• Flour and Salt: Flour forms the base structure of the cookie dough, while a pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.

Baking Science

• Creaming the fats and sugars: This aerates the dough, contributing to a lighter texture.
• Oven Temperature: A hot oven encourages the cookies to spread before setting, creating that desirable soft center with slightly crisp edges
• Don’t Overbake: Overbaking removes too much moisture, leading to dryness and toughness. Slightly underbaked cookies are the secret to the perfect soft and chewy texture!

Tips on Mixing and Baking Times

• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough, especially after adding the flour, can develop gluten. This makes the cookies tough rather than tender. Mix until just combined.

• Chilling Time (Optional): While not strictly necessary, chilling the dough for 30 minutes to an hour can help cookies spread less and maintain their shape. This is useful if you want thicker, more substantial cookies.

• Cookie Size Matters: The size of your cookies impacts baking time. Larger cookies will naturally take a bit longer. Start with the suggested baking time then add a minute or two as needed.

• Visual Cues: Look for the telltale signs of perfectly baked peanut butter cookies: lightly browned, slightly cracked edges and a center that still looks slightly soft.

• Oven Variations: Every oven is slightly different. Adjust your baking time based on your experience. A minute or two can make all the difference in the final texture!

Pro Tip: For the ultimate in peanut butter indulgence, try slightly warming your peanut butter before mixing. This intensifies the flavor in the final cookie!

How to Achieve a Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture

• Ingredient Balance: The correct ratio of fats (butter and peanut butter) to dry ingredients is key. Too much flour leads to dry cookies, while too much fat may make them overly greasy.
• The Magic of Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a subtle caramel flavor and retains moisture, helping your cookies stay soft and chewy.
• Mixing Matters: Overmixing toughens cookies. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.
• Don’t Overbake! The key to a melt-in-your-mouth cookie is a slightly underbaked center. The edges will be set, but the center should still look a touch soft.
• Cooling is Crucial: Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This lets them finish baking gently and prevents them from breaking apart while still warm.

Pro Tip: Using room temperature ingredients ensures even mixing and a smooth dough, ultimately contributing to a better final texture.

Storage and Freezing Instructions

Storing for Freshness

To keep your peanut butter cookies tasting their best, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about 3-4 days. To keep that soft texture, consider adding a slice of fresh bread to the container – it helps retain moisture!

Freezing Dough and Baked Cookies

Maximize your cookie enjoyment by freezing!

• Freezing Dough: Scoop dough balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.

• Freezing Baked Cookies: Cool cookies completely before placing them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature.

FAQs

Why do peanut butter cookies have fork marks?

The classic criss-cross pattern has a practical purpose! Peanut butter dough is dense. Pressing it down with a fork helps the cookies bake evenly, preventing a raw center and overly crispy edges. Plus, it looks cute!

Should you refrigerate peanut butter cookie dough before baking?

While not essential, chilling the dough for 30 minutes or longer can help prevent excessive spreading. This results in thicker, chewier cookies. If you’re short on time, you can bake the cookies right away.

How to make peanut butter cookies less dry?

• Don’t overbake: Overbaked cookies lose moisture. Pull them from the oven when the edges are set, and the centers look slightly underdone.
• Brown sugar is key: It adds moisture and a touch of caramel flavor.
• Measure ingredients accurately: Too much flour is a common culprit of dry cookies.

What makes cookies soft and chewy?

• Ingredient ratios: Fats and the right type of sugar are key.
• Mixing technique: Don’t overmix the dough, as this develops gluten and leads to tough cookies.
• Baking time: Slightly underbaking helps retain moisture, leading to that perfect soft and chewy texture.

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