There’s a special kind of magic in a truly perfect cookie, and these Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies are pure enchantment. This recipe is a timeless classic, designed to deliver that nostalgic, melt-in-your-mouth experience you remember. Forget dry, crumbly cookies; we’re making them irresistibly soft and chewy, with that iconic criss-cross pattern that promises a delicious bite. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, this simple, straightforward recipe will become your go-to for satisfying any peanut butter craving.
We’ve crafted this guide to be the only one you’ll ever need, packed with tips and tricks to ensure flawless results every single time. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the comforting aroma of freshly baked peanut butter goodness.
Why This is The Only Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe You’ll Need
In a world of complicated recipes, this one stands out for its beautiful simplicity and reliable results. It’s built on basic, pantry-staple ingredients that come together to create something truly special. The balance of sugars ensures a perfectly chewy center with slightly crisp edges, while the creamy peanut butter provides that rich, nutty flavor we all love. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a foundation for delicious memories.
Unlike other recipes that can be fussy, this one is forgiving and fun to make. It’s the perfect activity for a lazy Sunday afternoon or a fun project with kids. The dough comes together in minutes and requires no chilling, so you can go from craving to cookie in under 30 minutes.
The Secret to Perfectly Soft Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
The key to achieving that coveted soft and chewy texture lies in the ingredients and technique. The combination of both brown and white sugar is crucial. White sugar provides structure and crisp edges, while the molasses in brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness. Using room temperature butter and egg is also non-negotiable, as it allows them to emulsify properly, creating a smooth, uniform dough that traps air and creates a tender crumb.
Finally, be careful not to overbake. The cookies should be removed from the oven when the edges are lightly golden, but the center still looks slightly underdone. They will continue to bake on the hot pan, setting up to a perfect consistency as they cool.
Key Ingredients Explained
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for our cookies. Be sure to measure it correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off.
- Unsalted Butter: Using room temperature butter is essential for a creamy, smooth dough. It allows the butter to incorporate air when beaten with the sugars.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Standard commercial peanut butter like Jif or Skippy works best. Natural peanut butters can separate and affect the cookie’s texture.
- Light Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: This power duo creates the ultimate texture—chewy from the brown sugar and crisp from the granulated.
- Egg: Acts as a binder and adds richness. One large, room temperature egg is all you need.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These leaveners give the cookies a gentle lift, preventing them from being too dense.
- Vanilla Extract & Salt: Flavor enhancers that round out the sweet and nutty notes.
How to Make Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
Making these cookies is a simple, rewarding process. Follow these steps carefully for the best results. We’ll start by creaming the butter and sugars, which is the most important step for creating a light, chewy texture. Then we’ll mix in the wet and dry ingredients before forming and baking our delicious cookies.
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Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter & Sugars: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, peanut butter, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
- Form the Cookies: Scoop the dough into 1.5-tablespoon-sized balls and place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets.
- Create the Criss-Cross: Use the tines of a fork to gently press a criss-cross pattern onto the top of each cookie, flattening them slightly.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers will still look a bit soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips for Cookie Perfection
Want to elevate your cookie game? Here are a few expert tips to ensure your Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies are the best on the block.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix only until it’s just incorporated. Overmixing develops the gluten, which can lead to tough, dense cookies.
- Room Temperature is Key: Using a room temperature egg and butter is critical for a smooth, homogenous dough. Cold ingredients don’t combine as easily.
- Slightly Underbake: For the ultimate chewy texture, pull the cookies from the oven when the centers look slightly underdone. They will set up perfectly as they cool on the hot pan.
If you enjoy easy baking projects, you’ll love this simple and deliciously moist banana bread recipe.
Storing Your Homemade Cookies
These cookies are so good, you might not have any leftovers! But if you do, they store beautifully. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. To freeze the dough, roll it into balls, place them on a baking sheet to flash-freeze, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. You can bake them straight from the freezer; just add a minute or two to the baking time.
For another comforting classic, try our ultimate homemade brownies recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Roll the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet to flash-freeze for about an hour. Then, transfer the frozen dough balls to an airtight, freezer-safe bag. They can be baked directly from frozen; just add 1-2 minutes to the bake time.
It’s best to use a conventional, processed creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy for this recipe. Natural peanut butters have a tendency to separate, which can result in drier, more crumbly cookies.
The key to soft and chewy cookies is using a combination of brown and white sugar, ensuring your butter and egg are at room temperature, and being careful not to overbake them. Pull them from the oven when the centers still look slightly soft.
Dry cookies are usually a result of overmixing the dough after adding flour, overbaking, or measuring the flour incorrectly. Spoon your flour into the measuring cup instead of scooping it to avoid packing it in.
The classic criss-cross pattern isn’t just for decoration! Peanut butter cookie dough is quite dense, so pressing it down with a fork helps flatten the cookie, ensuring it bakes evenly for a perfect texture throughout.
Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies (Chewy & Soft!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, peanut butter, and vanilla extract until everything is well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Scoop the dough into 1.5-tablespoon-sized balls and place them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets.
- Use the tines of a fork to gently press a criss-cross pattern onto the top of each cookie, flattening them slightly.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers will still look a bit soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature for the best dough consistency.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Share Your Creations!
We hope you love this classic recipe for Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies as much as we do. There’s nothing better than sharing a batch of warm, homemade cookies with friends and family. If you make them, we’d love to see! Snap a photo and share it on Pinterest. Your feedback and creations make our day!
