Description
These soft and chewy peanut butter cookies are a perfect blend of rich peanut flavor and sweet, tender texture. With a slightly crispy edge and a chewy center, they’re easy to make with simple ingredients and perfect for any peanut butter lover looking for a classic homemade treat.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (256 g) smooth peanut butter
- 16 tablespoons (226 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon (13 g) real vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
Sugars
- 1 1/3 cup (293 g) dark brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- Additional 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar for rolling
Dry Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 1/4 cups (304 g) all-purpose flour
Optional
- Sea salt flakes for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line several baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Make Cookie Dough: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine peanut butter, butter, dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed for 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Add Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Scrape down the bowl sides and bottom to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Add Leavening and Flour: Mix in baking powder, baking soda, and sea salt for 1 minute. Then add flour and mix for about 20 seconds until just combined—avoid overmixing.
- Prepare Sugar Bowl: Pour the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar into a shallow bowl for rolling the cookie dough balls.
- Portion Dough Balls: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion 2 tablespoons of dough at a time. Roll gently in granulated sugar to coat and place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1½ inches apart. The dough will be soft and textured, not perfectly smooth.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake one sheet at a time on the center rack of the oven for 12 to 13 minutes until the edges are set but the cookies remain soft.
- Deflate and Cool: Remove cookies from oven and gently tap the baking sheet on the counter to deflate them slightly. Optionally, sprinkle sea salt flakes on top. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 20 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Using room temperature ingredients helps to blend the dough smoothly and evenly.
- The granulated sugar coating gives the cookies a pleasant slight crunch and helps maintain their shape.
- Sea salt flakes on top enhance the peanut butter flavor and provide a nice contrast to the sweetness.
- The cookies will be very soft right out of the oven and will firm up as they cool, so allow them the full cooling time on the baking sheet.
- For best results, do not overmix the flour into the dough to keep the cookies tender.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
