Best Peanut Butter Cookies

Featured in Indulgent Dessert Recipes to Satisfy Any Sweet Tooth.

Get the perfect peanut butter cookies every time by using regular peanut butter. Chilling the dough keeps them in shape, while fork imprints give that timeless look.

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Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 20:53:06 GMT
A pile of peanut butter cookies next to peanuts and a small milk glass. Pin it
A pile of peanut butter cookies next to peanuts and a small milk glass. | chefmelt.com

My family swears by these Peanut Butter Cookies as the tastiest treats that take almost no effort. The crisscross design and nutty taste have made them a beloved snack in our home. What's so great? You can whip these up with basic stuff you've already got in your kitchen.

Their Origin Story

The backstory of these simple peanut butter cookies goes way back. That famous criss-cross pattern we all love came from Ruth Wakefield back in 1936. Then Betty Crocker helped everybody know about them. Our take blends these old traditions into something any baker can nail, no matter their skill level.

What You'll Need

  • Peanut Butter: Grab Jif or Skippy for best results, nothing complicated needed.
  • Flour: Standard all-purpose works perfectly here.
  • Butter: Go with the real stuff for that wonderful flavor.
  • Sugar: You'll need both brown and white to get that awesome texture.
  • Egg: Just one will do the trick.
  • Salt: A tiny bit makes everything taste better.
  • Baking Soda and Baking Powder: These create the ideal cookie structure.

Simple Instructions

Pick Your Spread
Stick with popular creamy peanut butter brands for best results. The fancy natural kinds might sound better, but they'll make your cookies fall apart. Regular PB has stuff that keeps cookies together just right.
Get Set Up
Start by putting parchment on your baking sheets and warming your oven to 350°F. Being ready makes everything go smoother. Keep some extra sugar nearby in a small dish for making those fork marks.
Creating The Pattern
Try this handy tip: dunk your fork in sugar between presses. This stops dough from sticking and adds a nice sparkly touch. Press lightly so you don't squash the cookies too flat.
Watch The Oven
Keep an eye on them while they bake. You want just slightly golden edges with soft middles. They'll get firmer as they cool, giving you that perfect chewy bite everyone wants.
Let Them Rest
After baking, leave cookies on the hot sheet about 5 minutes. They're super soft at first and need time to set. Then move them to a rack where they can cool completely and reach their best texture.

Tasty Twists

  • Sugar Coating: Roll them in sugar for a sweet crunch outside.
  • Hershey's Kiss: Push a chocolate kiss into the center for a candy surprise.
  • Almond Butter: Switch up the nut butter for a different flavor profile.
A plate of freshly baked peanut butter cookies, some with crisscross patterns, is displayed alongside a small bowl of milk. Pin it
A plate of freshly baked peanut butter cookies, some with crisscross patterns, is displayed alongside a small bowl of milk. | chefmelt.com

Keeping Them Fresh

Store your cookies in something airtight to keep them tasty. Want to plan ahead? You can freeze the shaped dough balls for up to 3 months. This works great for busy folks - just pop them straight from freezer to oven and add a few extra minutes of baking time.

What Makes Them Special

These Peanut Butter Cookies always bring joy when I make them. They turn out great whether you've baked for years or this is your first try. They show how the tastiest things don't need fancy techniques or weird ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why do you recommend regular peanut butter?

Peanut butters with separated oils can mess up the texture and make the cookies spread too much.

→ Do I really need to chill the dough?

Yes, this stops the cookies from spreading out too much and helps them hold their round shape.

→ Can crunchy peanut butter work instead?

Absolutely! It’ll add a bit more texture compared to smooth peanut butter.

→ Why dip the fork in sugar before making the pattern?

It stops the fork from sticking to the dough when pressing the crosshatch design.

→ What’s the reason for baking just one tray at once?

This ensures all the cookies bake evenly and brown just right.

Best Peanut Butter Cookies

Perfectly baked peanut butter cookies, crispy on the outside, chewy in the middle, with their signature fork imprint.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes

Category: Dessert Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1/2 cup of smooth peanut butter.
02 1 large egg, at room temperature.
03 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened.
04 1/2 cup of white sugar.
05 1/4 teaspoon of fine salt.
06 1 1/4 cups of regular flour.
07 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder.
08 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda.
09 1/2 cup of tightly packed light brown sugar.

Instructions

Step 01

In a mixing bowl, whip up the softened butter until it's totally smooth, about 2 minutes.

Step 02

Pour in the white and light brown sugars. Keep mixing for another 2 minutes until they blend perfectly.

Step 03

Thoroughly stir the peanut butter into the creamy sugar-butter blend.

Step 04

Drop in the egg and beat everything until you get a smooth, even mixture.

Step 05

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt all together so they're ready to go.

Step 06

Gradually fold the dry mix into the wet mixture, just until it's all combined. Don’t overmix!

Step 07

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it for at least 3 hours in the fridge.

Step 08

When you’re ready to bake, set your oven to exactly 375°F.

Step 09

Roll the dough into balls, about 1 1/4 inches in diameter.

Step 10

Space the dough balls 3 inches apart on baking trays without greasing them.

Step 11

Use a fork dipped in sugar to gently press a crisscross design onto each dough ball.

Step 12

Bake them one tray at a time on the middle rack.

Step 13

Let the cookies cook in the oven for about 9 to 11 minutes, just until the edges turn light brown.

Step 14

Leave the cookies on the tray for 1 minute after taking them out from the oven.

Step 15

Move the cookies to a cooling rack to let them cool all the way down.

Notes

  1. An old-school recipe.
  2. The texture is spot-on.
  3. It has the classic fork pattern design.
  4. Perfect to prep ahead of time.

Tools You'll Need

  • Standing or electric hand mixer.
  • Non-stick baking trays.
  • A cooling rack.
  • Cling film or plastic wrap.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Peanut ingredients.
  • Contains butter (dairy).
  • Eggs are included.
  • Made with wheat-based flour.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 126
  • Total Fat: 7 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 15 g
  • Protein: 2 g