Few things spark pure childhood joy quite like a batch of Soft Peanut Butter Cookies, fresh from the oven, their aroma wafting through the kitchen. This classic treat brings together melt-in-your-mouth peanut flavor with a tender, chewy crumb that begs to be savored with every bite. Whether you grew up enjoying these cookies after school or you’re tasting them for the first time, their irresistible softness and nutty sweetness make them the perfect choice for any cookie lover looking to satisfy their sweet tooth or share a little nostalgic comfort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these Soft Peanut Butter Cookies lies in the simplicity of their ingredients—each one has a special role to play, ensuring that every cookie is soft, flavorful, and utterly delicious. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why it matters:
- Unsalted butter (softened): Provides richness and helps achieve that soft, tender texture.
- Creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient that delivers unbeatable peanut flavor and a smooth consistency.
- Granulated sugar: Adds just the right touch of sweetness and helps with browning.
- Brown sugar (packed): Brings moisture and a hint of caramel, making the cookies extra chewy.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and supports a light, soft crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses a warm, aromatic backdrop that enhances the peanut butter.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the foundation of the dough for structure and softness.
- Baking soda: Gives these cookies a lift, keeping them light rather than dense.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the peanutty taste.
How to Make Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this little step guarantees your Soft Peanut Butter Cookies will come off the pan effortlessly and maintain their perfect bottoms.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large bowl, combine the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Use a mixer on medium speed to beat everything together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and looks almost pillowy—this is crucial for that soft texture we crave!
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Continue mixing until everything is beautifully combined and the dough smells sweetly inviting. This step builds flavor and the ideal consistency.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which helps your cookies bake up evenly soft.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your flour mixture into the peanut butter mixture. Mix gently, just until no streaks of flour remain—overmixing can toughen the cookies, so take it easy at this stage. Your dough should be soft but not sticky.
Step 6: Shape and Flatten
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them gently into balls. Place each ball about 2 inches apart on your lined baking sheet. With the back of a fork, press down in a crisscross pattern—a classic hallmark for Soft Peanut Butter Cookies and a fun way to involve kids!
Step 7: Bake With Care
Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes. The edges should look set, but the centers need to remain soft—they’ll finish setting as they cool, resulting in a perfectly tender cookie. Don’t let them brown too much!
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies rest on the baking sheet for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This short wait helps them firm up just enough so they don’t fall apart. Once fully cooled, you’re ready to dig in to your Soft Peanut Butter Cookies!
How to Serve Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
Garnishes
If you’d like to add a little extra pizzazz, sprinkle the tops with a pinch of flaky sea salt right as they come out of the oven. The tiny crystals make the peanut butter flavor pop—even a drizzle of melted chocolate can turn your Soft Peanut Butter Cookies into an elegant dessert.
Side Dishes
These cookies are absolutely delightful with a cold glass of milk—classic, but always satisfying. For a grown-up twist, pair them with hot coffee or even a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. They’re swoon-worthy when sandwiched around your favorite frozen treat!
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking Soft Peanut Butter Cookies in a mason jar for a heartfelt homemade gift or arranging them in a tiered dessert stand for gatherings. You can also crumble them over yogurt or pudding for a playful and tasty topping—there’s no wrong way to share the love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies irresistibly soft by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. To help lock in moisture, tuck a slice of fresh bread into the container—the cookies will absorb just enough humidity to stay fresh for up to five days.
Freezing
Soft Peanut Butter Cookies freeze beautifully! Place completely cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container; they’ll keep for up to three months. If you prefer, you can also freeze unbaked dough balls, just add a minute or two to the baking time when you’re ready to bake them off.
Reheating
There’s nothing quite like a warm cookie. To recapture that just-baked feel, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds or heat several on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven for 2–3 minutes. They’ll taste like you just pulled them from the oven!
FAQs
Why are my Soft Peanut Butter Cookies coming out dry or crumbly?
This often happens if the cookies are slightly overbaked or if there’s too much flour. Make sure to measure your flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling, and always take the cookies out when the centers still look a bit underdone. The key to softness is gentle handling and careful baking!
Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Chunky peanut butter will add little morsels of peanuts for extra crunch, though your cookies may be slightly less soft. You might need to add a tablespoon of extra peanut butter if the dough seems dry, but otherwise follow the recipe as written.
Are Soft Peanut Butter Cookies gluten-free?
This classic recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it isn’t gluten-free. However, you can easily swap in a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend, and your results should be just as deliciously soft.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes—the recipe scales beautifully. Just remember to mix in stages so you don’t overwork the dough, and use multiple baking sheets if needed for even cooking. Double the joy means double the cookies!
Do I have to chill the dough before baking?
No chilling is required with this recipe, making it a quick and easy option. If, however, your kitchen is particularly warm and the dough feels too soft, a short chill in the fridge can help the cookies maintain their shape.
Final Thoughts
If you’re yearning for a classic treat that’s ultra-soft, bursting with peanut butter flavor, and guaranteed to win over everyone who tries them, these Soft Peanut Butter Cookies are simply unbeatable. Give them a try and share them with someone you love—there’s nothing like a homemade cookie to bring a smile to any day!
Print
Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Soft Peanut Butter Cookies are a classic favorite, with a chewy texture and rich peanut butter flavor. They are easy to make and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream together ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Shape and bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough, roll into balls, flatten with a fork, and bake for 9–11 minutes.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Notes:
- Do not overbake—the cookies will continue to set as they cool.
- For extra-soft cookies, slightly underbake and store in an airtight container with a slice of bread to retain moisture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
