Chewy Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe with Crispy Edges

These peanut butter cookies are soft, thick and melt in your mouth, with a rich peanut butter flavor. They’re simple to make with common pantry ingredients and produce chewy, homemade cookies in no time. Follow the straightforward steps below for a reliable batch every time.

If you enjoy peanut butter desserts, try other recipes like Peanut Butter Dream Bars, Peanut Butter Lasagna, or Peanut Butter Fudge for more ways to satisfy your cravings.

Peanut Butter Cookies Ingredients

You will need:

• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1¼ cups flour
• ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Substitutions and Additions

Chocolate chips: Stir in chocolate chips or add them to half the batch to please chocolate lovers. Peanut butter chips also work for an extra boost of peanut flavor.

Peanut butter: Use creamy or crunchy peanut butter depending on your texture preference. Almond butter can be substituted, though the texture and flavor will vary slightly.

How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies

Pro tip: For firmer cookies with less spreading, chill the dough overnight, then let it sit at room temperature 10–15 minutes before forming and baking. This step is optional but helpful if your cookies spread too much.

Step One: Preheat the oven to 375°F.

Step Two: In a bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth.

Step Three: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until combined.

Step Four: Form the dough into 1-inch balls and roll each in granulated sugar for a lightly crisp exterior.

Pro tip: Use a small cookie scoop for uniform dough balls and even baking.

Step Five: Arrange the dough balls about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Step Six: Flatten each ball with a fork in a crisscross pattern.

Step Seven: Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers remain soft. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

How to Serve Peanut Butter Cookies

These classic soft peanut butter cookies are nostalgic and comforting. Serve them warm with a cold glass of milk or alongside hot chocolate. For a fun variation, once cooled add a dollop of your favorite jam to the center to create PB&J thumbprint cookies.

Storage

On the counter: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container or Ziploc bag at room temperature. To keep them soft and chewy, place a small piece of bread in the container.

In the freezer: You can freeze baked cookies or unbaked dough. For baked cookies, layer them with parchment in a freezer-safe container. Thaw completely before serving. For dough, roll into balls, freeze on a sheet until firm (1–2 hours), then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Bake frozen dough balls directly from the freezer, adding a minute or two to the bake time if needed.

This straightforward recipe yields a large batch of reliably chewy peanut butter cookies, perfect for sharing or freezing for later.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes. Store baked cookies in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw before serving.

Can I use crunchy peanut butter?

Absolutely. Crunchy or smooth peanut butter both work; crunchy adds texture.

Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?

Yes. Chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or chopped nuts are all great additions—add them to the batter before shaping.

MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

• Peanut Butter Cookie Cups
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Mini Cheesecakes
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies