If you’re on the hunt for the BEST Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies, look no further! These cookies are a celebration of rich peanut butter flavor tucked inside a perfectly tender, melt-in-your-mouth bite. Each cookie offers a heavenly balance of sweet and salty, with those classic fork marks and a crinkly, golden edge. Perfect for holidays or everyday cravings, these cookies promise to be a crowd-pleaser for peanut butter fans of all ages.

BEST Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk about ingredients! This recipe is refreshingly simple, using pantry staples that each play a special role in making your cookies soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor. Every addition truly matters, so don’t skimp or swap if you want ultimate results!

Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Allows you to control the salt and brings rich flavor and tender texture.
Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Adds classic sweetness and helps achieve crisp edges.
Packed light brown sugar (1/2 cup): Boosts chewiness and gives a subtle, caramel-like depth.
Creamy peanut butter (3/4 cup): The star of the show—choose your favorite for a bold nutty punch.
Large egg (1): Holds everything together and contributes to the cookie’s soft, rich interior.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds an extra layer of warmth and coziness to every bite.
All-purpose flour (1 1/4 cups): The backbone that gives these cookies structure without letting them go crumbly.
Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Creates a gentle lift and softness.
Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Works with baking soda for a subtle rise that keeps the cookies thick and chewy.
Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and brings out the peanut butter’s best side.

How to Make BEST Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep Your Pans

Before jumping into mixing, crank your oven up to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This step helps guarantee your cookies won’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze. The parchment also helps ensure even baking and those just-set golden edges.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Grab a large bowl and beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This should take about 2 minutes and is key for adding air, which helps give the cookies that wonderful, slightly puffy softness you’re aiming for.

Step 3: Add Peanut Butter, Egg, and Vanilla

Stir in the creamy peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract. Keep mixing until everything is smooth and luscious. The peanut butter draws everything together into a thick, dreamy batter packed with that signature nutty aroma.

Step 4: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine your flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Give it a good whisk to make sure the leaveners are evenly distributed, which prevents pockets of bitterness and helps the cookies rise uniformly every time.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually add the dry mixture into your wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Don’t overdo it! A gentle hand here keeps the texture tender and prevents the cookies from turning tough.

Step 6: Scoop and Shape

Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion out the dough, rolling each one into a ball. Place them on your prepared baking sheets about two inches apart so they have room to spread. Now, grab a fork and gently press a crisscross pattern into the tops—this is both adorable and ensures even baking.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the cookies into the preheated oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges are just set but the centers still look slightly underdone—that’s the secret to keeping them soft and chewy as they cool. Resist the urge to overbake!

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

Allow the cookies to sit on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. They’ll finish setting up as they cool, and you’ll marvel at their perfect, pillowy texture. Now try not to eat them all before they’re cool!

How to Serve BEST Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

Garnishes

A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of each cookie while they’re still warm really amplifies the peanut butter flavor. For extra decadence, drizzle on a bit of melted chocolate or sprinkle with mini chocolate chips right after baking.

Side Dishes

You can’t go wrong pairing these cookies with a tall glass of ice-cold milk or a mug of hot cocoa. For a grown-up twist, serve alongside strong coffee or a rich hot chocolate. Fruit like sliced bananas or strawberries also go beautifully with peanut butter cookies for a playful, sweet finish.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack them high for a classic cookie tower, or tuck them into a mason jar tied with ribbon for a charming homemade gift. For parties, try making BEST Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies ice cream sandwiches by squishing your favorite ice cream between two cookies—unforgettable!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, store your BEST Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and irresistibly soft for up to five days—if they last that long!

Freezing

Both the baked cookies and the raw dough freeze beautifully. To freeze dough, scoop and shape, then freeze on a tray before transferring the balls to a freezer-safe bag. To freeze finished cookies, layer them with parchment paper and store for up to three months.

Reheating

If you prefer your cookies warm and gooey, pop a baked cookie in the microwave for 8 to 10 seconds. For frozen cookies, thaw at room temperature and then gently warm for that “fresh from the oven” softness once again.

FAQs

Why do my peanut butter cookies turn out dry or crumbly?

Dryness usually means the cookies were overbaked or too much flour was added. Measure flour carefully and be sure to pull the cookies when the centers are still a little soft for the ultimate BEST Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies experience.

Can I use chunky peanut butter in this recipe?

Chunky peanut butter can definitely be used if you like extra crunch! Just keep the measurements the same, and you’ll get some lovely texture in each bite.

How do I make these cookies gluten-free?

Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so the cookies will stay soft and chewy.

Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts?

Absolutely! Stir in up to 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped peanuts for a fun twist. Just mix gently so the dough stays tender and doesn’t get overworked.

How can I make these cookies vegan?

Use a vegan butter substitute and a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal plus 2.5 tablespoons water) in place of the egg. Make sure your sugar and peanut butter are vegan-friendly, too!

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to try these BEST Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies. There’s just something magical about fresh-baked, peanut buttery goodness that puts a smile on anyone’s face. So grab those simple ingredients, turn on some tunes, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a batch of cookie perfection – you’ll be making these again and again!

BEST Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These BEST Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies are a classic treat that’s perfect for peanut butter lovers. With a soft and chewy texture, these cookies are easy to make and even easier to enjoy!

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Mix Wet Ingredients: Add peanut butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until smooth.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
Shape and Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, place on baking sheets, and press with a fork. Bake for 9–11 minutes until set.
Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.