Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

These truly are the BEST Peanut Butter Cookies you will ever make! So soft, chewy and thick they are a cross between a peanut butter cookie and a sugar cookie! These peanut butter cookies will be your new favorite Christmas Cookie!

Love cookies as much as I do? Then give my Peanut Butter Blossoms or my Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies a try!

Peanut Butter Cookies

This Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe is my go to cookie to make during the holidays. It’s super easy to make, I always have all of the ingredients on hand and it’s always a crowd favorite! These are the Best Peanut Butter Cookies you will ever have.

They remind me of a cross between a sugar cookie and a peanut butter cookie. They still get crisp along the edges but are perfectly soft and chewy in the center. After I portion out the cookie dough the cookies are then rolled in granulated sugar then pressed down with a fork for the criss cross pattern.

Best of all these easy peanut butter cookies can be made in less than 20 minutes! If you are a fan of peanut butter like myself you will love these cookies. Here’s what you’ll need to make this peanut butter cookie recipe:

Ingredients

• Butter: I use 1 whole stick of unsalted butter in these cookies.
• Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar: I replaced some of the granulated sugar with light brown sugar to get a chewier cookie. I also love the flavor the brown sugar adds.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: I recommend using regular peanut butter. I have not tried this recipe with any other nut butters.
• Egg + Vanilla: 1 large egg is added to create a chewier cookie.
• Flour: I use all purpose flour in these cookies.
• Baking Soda: Adds the perfect lift to the brownies and keeps them from being too flat and crispy.
• Salt: You can omit the salt if you are using salted butter.
• Extra Granulated Sugar: For rolling.

How to make Peanut Butter Cookies

• Preheat oven: To 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Make cookie dough: In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment cream butter and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add in peanut butter and mix for 1-2 minutes. Add in egg and vanilla. Mix until combined and clump free. Combine flour, salt and baking soda in a small bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the batter in two parts with the stand mixer on the lowest speed. Mix for a little less than a minute. Do not over mix.

• Roll in sugar: Scoop out 16 cookies. Add granulated sugar to a small bowl. Roll each cookie in the sugar and place on a silicone baking mat on top of a baking sheet.

• Bake: Cookies for 10 minutes until lightly golden brown and firm on the edges.

• Cool: Remove from the oven and let set for 3-4 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.
• Store: Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days (if they last that long). You can always freeze the cookies for up to 3-4 months.

Tips for making The Best Peanut Butter Cookies

• Light Brown Sugar: I also substitute the granulated sugar with light brown sugar. This produces a chewier cookie with lots of flavor.
• Room temperature Ingredients: I also like to wait until the butter is completely softened and the egg is at room temperature before mixing everything up. This ensures a smooth batter and an awesome cookie!
• Shorter cooking time: I always like to slightly under bake my cookies. Once they look set around the edges I take them out of the oven and let them continue to cook for 5 minutes longer on the baking sheet. Then I transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. This gives you a soft and chewy cookie!
• Overnight Chill: These cookies can be made a day or two in advance. The longer the cookie dough sits the more the flavors develop.

Variations

• Add some semi sweet or dark chocolate chips for peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.
• Add peanut butter chips to the batter.
• Dip cooled peanut butter cookies in melted chocolate and sprinkle with coarse kosher salt or crushed nuts for Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies.
• These cookies make a great base for ice cream sandwiches.
• Add your favorite preserves and peanut butter buttercream to make my Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies!

Here are more delicious cookie recipes to try!

• Chewy Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Chewy Monster M & M Cookies
• Skillet Cookie
• Brookies
• Brown Butter Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies