Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup white sugar
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
Instructions
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, cream together the brown sugar, white sugar, peanut butter, and softened butter. Beat on medium speed until smooth and creamy. If you don’t have a stand mixer, a simple bowl and spatula will do the trick.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the mixture, beating until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, continuing to mix on medium speed until the dough is fully incorporated and smooth.
- Transfer the dough into a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for an hour. Chilling is essential as it helps the cookies hold their shape during baking, resulting in a chewy, soft texture.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball. Place each ball on the baking sheet, leaving space for spreading. Using the back of a fork, gently press the dough in a crisscross pattern, creating the classic peanut butter cookie look.
- Bake the cookies for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to maintain their soft texture.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This ensures they firm up slightly but stay soft and chewy.
Notes
- Peanut butter: Use smooth peanut butter for the best texture. Avoid natural peanut butter as it can separate, affecting the dough’s consistency.
- Room temperature butter: Softened butter blends more easily with sugars, creating a smooth dough.
- Chilling the dough: Don’t skip this step! Chilling prevents excessive spreading and results in a soft, chewy cookie.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes