Peanut butter cookies just hit their chewy, nutty peak. This recipe delivers the perfect balance: crispy edges, soft centers, and a rich peanut butter flavor that will have you reaching for seconds.
With pantry-staple ingredients and endless customization options, these cookies aren’t just a treat—they’re a tradition waiting to happen. Ready to bake your new favorite dessert?
Easy to Make with Simple Ingredients
One of the best things about this chewy peanut butter cookie recipe is that it requires only a handful of essential ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. You only need peanut butter, brown sugar, white sugar, butter, vanilla, flour, egg, baking soda, baking powder (using both gives the perfect texture), and sea salt.
Perfectly Chewy Texture & Peanut Butter Flavor
What makes a great peanut butter cookie? For many, it’s all about the texture and flavor. This recipe delivers on both fronts, with a perfectly chewy center, slightly underbaked, and crispy edges that provide a satisfying crunch. The key is to remove the cookies from the oven when they still look pale and soft in the middle – they’ll continue to set as they cool.
Of course, the star of the show is the peanut butter. Using creamy, classic peanut butter ensures the cookies have a rich, nutty flavor that shines through every bite. The combination of peanut butter and brown sugar creates a depth of flavor that’s hard to resist.
Once you taste these chewy peanut butter cookies, you’ll understand why they’re destined to become a family favorite.
Versatile & Customizable
While this chewy peanut butter cookie recipe is delicious, it’s also incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit your preferences. Add chocolate or peanut butter chips to the dough for sweetness and texture. You can also experiment with different types of flour, such as whole wheat or gluten-free alternatives, to create a cookie that meets your dietary needs.
Another fun way to customize these cookies is by playing with their shape and size. Use a cookie scoop or your hands to form larger or smaller balls of dough, depending on whether you prefer jumbo cookies or bite-sized treats. You can even use a fork to create the classic crisscross pattern on top of each cookie before baking for a traditional look.
Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups unbleached flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Soften butter in the microwave for 20-25 seconds, then mix with peanut butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth.
- Add egg and vanilla extract, stirring until well combined.
- Gradually incorporate flour, baking soda, and baking powder, mixing gently until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop 2-tablespoon-sized dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Use a fork to create a crisscross pattern on each cookie, flattening slightly. Optionally, sprinkle with sea salt.
- Bake for 9 minutes, until cookies appear slightly underbaked. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes.
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring a crisp exterior and chewy interior.
Nutrition
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.