Peanut Butter Cookies – There’s something so comforting about Peanut Butter Cookies that you can’t resist. They strike the balance, between sweet and savory making them a must-have in my kitchen. With ingredients like all-purpose flour, peanut butter, and a touch of vanilla they’re the ultimate treat for any peanut butter lover.
The first time I baked these Peanut Butter Cookies it happened to be on a rainy afternoon. As they baked in the oven my kitchen filled with the aroma of sweetness and nuttiness. The scent was so enticing that it drew my husband and child to the kitchen. When we finally took our bite it was bliss – soft, chewy, and bursting with that unmistakable peanut butter goodness. It was a love affair! Since then these cookies have become a request at our home.
What makes these Peanut Butter Cookies truly special?
What truly sets these Peanut Butter Cookies apart is their simplicity and versatility. They are incredibly easy to whip up making them suitable, for both bakers and seasoned pros. The classic flavor of comforting peanut butter is universally adored, ensuring that these cookies are always a hit whether you’re packing them for school lunches serving them as holiday treats, or simply enjoying them as an afternoon snack. If you feel like getting creative their adaptability allows you to experiment with variations to suit various tastes or occasions. These cookies are more than treats – they hold the perfect combination of sweetness and texture creating cherished memories waiting to be experienced.
What You Need To Make This Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe?
All Purpose Flour: This serves as the foundation, for our cookies providing structure and shape. It’s like the canvas upon which we create our cookie masterpiece.
Baking Soda: This magical ingredient gives our cookies their rise. Creates that slightly chewy texture. It’s the secret behind their nature.
Salt: Just a pinch. It works wonders in enhancing the flavors! It acts as a flavor enhancer making the sweetness and peanut butter notes stand out.
Unsalted Butter: The butter adds richness and a velvety texture to our cookies. It’s what sets apart a cookie from an exceptional one. Ensure it is softened to room temperature for that consistency.
Brown Sugar: This isn’t just sugar. It’s like a flavor booster with its caramel undertones. It brings depth. Moisture to our cookies results in tender and chewy goodness.
Granulated Sugar: Here we have our sweetener. It does more than just add sweetness. It adds crispness to the edges of our cookies giving them that crunch.
Egg: Our binding hero! It holds everything together. Contributes to the character of these cookies.
Creamy Peanut Butter: The star ingredient! It’s all, about that flavor that makes these cookies so irresistibly delicious.
Vanilla Extract: A little bit of vanilla extract adds a fragrant taste that perfectly complements the peanut butter.
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Steps To Make Peanut Butter Cookies:
Step 1: Begin by whisking the flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Then use a mixer to make the butter nice and creamy and blend in the sugars until you have a smooth mixture. Next beat in the egg followed by the peanut butter and vanilla ensuring that everything is well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the mixture mixing only until they are incorporated. It is important to chill the dough, in the refrigerator for perfect texture.
Step 2: Once you are ready preheat your oven. Prepare your baking sheets. Roll balls of dough. Coat them with sugar before giving them that classic peanut butter cookie crisscross pattern using a fork. Remember to reshape them after pressing with the fork. Bake them until they are perfectly golden around the edges but still soft, in the center. Allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack.
Tip:
One handy tip that can take your Peanut Butter Cookies from good, to exceptional is to allow the dough to chill for an amount of time. It’s crucial to refrigerate the dough for 1 to 2 hours or even better overnight. This resting period allows the ingredients, the butter and peanut butter to firm up. As a result, it prevents the spreading of the cookies during baking. Additionally, it allows the flavors to blend and deepen resulting in an indulgent peanut butter taste.
So even though it might be tempting to skip the step and start baking away always remember that this simple process can significantly enhance both texture and flavor for that perfect cookie experience.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use natural peanut butter in this recipe?
For best outcomes, it is recommended to use commercially prepared creamy peanut butter. The natural variety of peanut butter can result in an oily dough.
How long can I store these cookies?
These cookies will maintain their freshness and deliciousness for one week when stored at room temperature provided that they’re properly covered.
Can I freeze the dough for later use?
Absolutely! You can freeze the cookie dough for, up to three months. Simply thaw it in the refrigerator, before baking.
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 1.33 c 170 grams all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 0.5 tsp baking soda
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 0.5 c 1 stick; 115 grams unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 0.5 c 100 grams packed light or dark brown sugar
- 0.25 c 50 grams granulated sugar, plus 0.5 c (100 grams) for rolling
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 0.75 c about 185 grams creamy peanut butter (see note)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Take a medium-sized bowl and whisk together 1.33 cups of all-purpose flour, 0.5 teaspoon of baking soda and 0.25 teaspoon of salt. Set this mixture aside.
- Using a mixer beat 0.5 cup of softened butter on high speed until it becomes creamy. Add 0.5 cup of sugar and 0.25 cup of granulated sugar to the creamed butter. Continue beating until everything is well combined and smooth.
- Beat in one egg first, add 0.75 cup of creamy peanut butter and one teaspoon of vanilla extract, to the mixture. Mix everything well.
- Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture while mixing until they are just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want a soft dough consistency.
- Cover the dough with a lid or plastic wrap then refrigerate it for one to two hours or up to three days.
- Set your temperature to 350°F (177°C) while you prepare your cookies by lining baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Take portions (one scant tablespoon each) of chilled dough, roll them into balls then roll each ball in granulated sugar before placing them on the prepared baking sheets. Use a fork to press down on each ball in a crisscross pattern creating that look, for peanut butter cookies. Reshape them into discs if needed before baking.
- Place the cookie dough, in the oven and bake it for 11 to 12 minutes or until the edges are firm and slightly golden. The centers should still be soft.
- After removing the cookies from the oven let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely.
- Now you can savor your baked Peanut Butter Cookies!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
