Best Ever Soft Peanut Butter Cookies are a classic. Soft & chewy, these peanut butter cookies have quickly become our favorite sweet treat.
My family can’t keep their hands off these easy peanut butter cookies. This peanut butter cookie recipe is not your traditional crunchy peanut butter cookie, but there isn’t a better recipe. Trust me, we’ve tried them all.
Now, I have made this recipe in two different ways: one with baking soda and the other with baking powder. This was all an accident, and while I originally posted the recipe with the baking soda, after making it over a hundred times, we all agreed that the best cookie results from baking powder. But if you make the same “mistake” I did, these cookies will still knock it out of the park.
My Favorite Kitchen Tools To Make This Recipe
From trusty pots and pans to handy gadgets, I’ve curated a list of products I use and love.
What peanut butter cookie recipe is the best?
While I love making homemade peanut butter cookies with just 3 ingredients, they are not as soft and chewy as these. I love three-ingredient peanut butter cookies, but I am just not as satisfied.
These cookies go right in line with my love for creamy peanut butter. Peanut butter is my go-to snack anytime I am hungry.
Whether it’s by the spoonful, with pretzels, on a sandwich or paired with some Nutella, I really could eat peanut butter in any way, shape, or form. Because I have a sweet tooth, cookies are among my favorite foods. This makes soft peanut butter cookies an obvious hit.
Should I use crunchy or creamy peanut butter to make peanut butter cookies?
While I typically love creamy peanut butter for cookies, there are moments—like when I eat my morning breakfast toast with bananas—when I reach for the crunchy peanut butter.
We are a house divided between creamy and crunchy peanut butter. My son, Aiden, and I are more in the middle and could eat either. My husband and daughter, Jersey, love crunchy, and my other three kids, Jojo, Cannon, and Madden, will only eat creamy. If I accidentally pack them crunchy, the sandwich will still be in their lunchbox when they get home, making you wonder what they ate for lunch.
We also have extreme opinions on whether soft or crunchy peanut butter cookies are the best.
I tend to lean towards chewy, soft cookies. The best cookie recipe I’ve ever had is my Best Ever Monster Cookies. But most classic peanut butter cookie recipes I’ve had are too crunchy, leaving a crumbly mess. So, I have been on a mission to find the best peanut butter cookie recipe, and finally… finally… I found it.
Everyone except for Aiden, peanut butter cookies are best when soft and chewy. Aiden loves a good crunchy cookie you can dip in milk. However, he won’t decline these Best Ever Soft Peanut Butter Cookies.
What could you add to peanut butter cookies?
Why do peanut butter cookies have fork marks?
When peanut butter is added to the batter, it densifies it. Putting fork marks in the dough makes it easier for the cookie to bake evenly. This will help keep them soft, so don’t forget this step.
How long do cookies last?
These cookies are kept in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days.
If desired, freeze the cookies in an airtight freezer bag. They can last for 1-2 months.
If you love cookies, try these:
I can’t wait for you to get your hands on a dozen or two of these. They are easy and simply the Best Soft Peanut Butter Cookies you’ll try.
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Best Ever Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter use Jif or Skippy type peanut butter
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking pans with parchment paper, if desired.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the peanut butter, butter, sugar and brown sugar. Beat together until smooth & creamy best if using a stand mixer or hand mixer.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract and continue to mix until well combined.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture and mix until well combined.
- Use a cookie dough scoop, or spoon the dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in white granulated sugar if you desire and place onto baking sheet.
- Using a fork, press down on each ball of dough to flatten, creating a criss-cross pattern.
- Bake for 8-9 minutes. Do not over bake. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes and then transfer to a wire rack.
- These keep well for a couple of days in an airtight container.
one of the best cookies i ever found. its so delicious. everybody in my home loves it. this yuummy dessert is just waoooo. thank you for this recipe.
I’m so glad you all enjoy these cookies! Thank you!
Kids will surely love this!! Such a fun idea!..
They definitely do! Enjoy!
What using cookie scoop?
We use a 1-inch cookie scoop or a heaping tablespoon to form the dough into balls.
I made these and loved them! I add peanut butter chips and it makes them so good!
So glad you enjoyed them!
What time to cook peanut butter cookies?
These cookies bake for 8-9 minutes at 350 degrees F. They may not look done after 9 minutes but they will set as they cool! Enjoy
The Tbsp of vanilla gave me pause but I’m glad I decided to make it as written because they’re fantastic. So easy to make. Looked like the dough might be sticky but rolled up great with no issues at all.
It definitely is a lot of vanilla but it works! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
These are the BEST peanut butter cookies I’ve ever made. I used a tablespoon scoop and did not use a fork to cross. I baked and then added a chocolate kiss immediately after baking. So good I made another batch. I followed the recipe exactly. Thank you for sharing.
I’m so glad you liked them! The chocolate kiss is such a good idea, we may just have to try it. Thank you!
There is nothing better than a good old fashioned peanut butter cookie. This recipe is my all time favorite!
I know it’s going to be yummy! Wonderful Sunday night dinner! I cooked loaded mashed potatoes & everything bread with it. Thanks 4 all the wonderful recipes!!!!!
I eat peanut butter every day so these are definitely one of my favorite cookies to make! They look so good!
They are perfect for peanut butter lovers for sure! Enjoy!
I am totally team cream peanut butter! This looks like it is going to become a family favorite!
Enjoy!
These cookies are on my must-make list!
Enjoy!
These are my favorite cookie! I love how something so simple really does have the best flavor.
Thank you!
My favorite kind of cookies! I will try your recipe!
Thank you!
These look heavenly! Definitely adding these to my baking line up for the season! Looks too good to pass up!
Thank you!
This definitely has me craving peanut butter cookies!!
These peanut butter cookies are mouth watering!
Thank you!
We also have a crunchy/smooth debate in our house. But no debate with these cookies, everyone loves them.
Nothing like a classic cookie recipe! Definitely baking these this afternoon; look too good to pass up!
Enjoy!
These come out perfect every single time!
So glad to hear that! Thank you!
These are one of my childhood favorites!
Enjoy!
Peanut butter cookies are always a classic favorite in our household! I need to make some for this weekend!
You definitely should! Enjoy!