Name: Thick & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: – 1 cup unsalted peanut butter; – 1 cup granulated sugar; – 1 large egg; – 1 tsp vanilla extract; – ½ tsp baking soda; – ¼ tsp salt; – 2 tbsp milk (optional for softer texture); – 1 cup all-purpose flour; – Extra sugar for rolling (optional)

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If there’s one thing that can instantly make any day better, it’s a warm, freshly baked peanut butter cookie. These Thick & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies are a dream come true—crispy on the edges, soft and chewy in the center, and loaded with that irresistible peanut butter flavor. Honestly, who can resist a cookie like that? If you’re a peanut butter lover, then these cookies are your new best friend!

Why You’ll Love Thick & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

Let’s talk about why this recipe is an absolute must-try:

Versatile: These cookies are perfect for any occasion—whether you’re baking for a family treat, a bake sale, or just because you’ve got a craving for something sweet, these cookies are always a hit.

Budget-Friendly: Most of the ingredients are kitchen staples, meaning you don’t have to break the bank to make a batch of these delicious cookies.

Quick and Easy: With simple ingredients and a short baking time, you’ll be enjoying a batch of these cookies in less than an hour. No complicated steps here—just mix, scoop, and bake!

Customizable: Want to get creative? Add in some chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, or even a swirl of caramel for an extra twist on these classic cookies.

Crowd-Pleasing: These cookies have the perfect balance of chewy and crunchy, and the peanut butter flavor is bold but not overwhelming. It’s the kind of cookie that’s always a crowd-pleaser, whether you’re sharing them with friends or keeping them all for yourself.

Ingredients

Ingredients in Thick & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies are all about rich, satisfying peanut butter flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

Peanut Butter: The star ingredient! Make sure to use smooth peanut butter for that soft, chewy texture. If you love extra crunch, you can use chunky peanut butter.

Butter: Adds richness and helps create that soft, chewy texture we all crave in a perfect cookie.

Brown Sugar: The molasses in brown sugar gives these cookies a deeper flavor and helps them stay moist and chewy.

Granulated Sugar: Sweetens up the dough and adds a little crispiness to the edges of the cookies.

Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to that perfect chewy texture.

Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla adds a warm, fragrant note to the cookies.

All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dough that holds everything together.

Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough to keep them thick and soft in the center.

Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the peanut butter flavor.

Optional: You can sprinkle a little extra sugar on top of the cookies before baking for that classic crisscross design and a little added sweetness.

Instructions

Let’s get baking with these peanut butter beauties:

Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure your cookies don’t stick.

Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and mix until fully incorporated.

Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Shape the Dough: Use a tablespoon or a cookie scoop to portion out the dough into balls. Roll each dough ball between your hands to smooth it out. If you want that classic peanut butter cookie look, use a fork to gently press down on each dough ball, creating a crisscross pattern on top. If you like your cookies a bit sweeter, sprinkle a little extra granulated sugar on top.

Bake to Perfection: Place the dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden but the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to set as they cool, so don’t worry if they look slightly undercooked when you take them out.

Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm with a glass of milk, or store them in an airtight container for later.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 24 cookies
Calories per serving: Approximately 150-170 calories per cookie

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Total Time: 20-25 minutes

How to Serve Thick & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies are great on their own, but if you’re feeling extra indulgent, here are a few ways to take them to the next level:

With Milk: There’s nothing better than dipping a warm peanut butter cookie in a cold glass of milk. It’s like a comforting childhood treat!
Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches: Sandwich a scoop of peanut butter or vanilla ice cream between two cookies for the ultimate dessert.
With a Cup of Tea or Coffee: Pair these cookies with your favorite hot beverage for a cozy snack break.

Additional Tips

Storage: These cookies stay fresh for about 5 days when stored in an airtight container. If you want to keep them even longer, you can freeze the dough before baking and bake them straight from the freezer whenever you need a fresh batch.
Make It Your Own: Mix in some chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or a sprinkle of sea salt for extra flavor. You could even drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies for a decadent touch.
Don’t Overbake: For that chewy center, be sure to take the cookies out of the oven while they’re still soft. They’ll firm up as they cool.

FAQ’s

1. Can I use crunchy peanut butter?
Yes, you can! Crunchy peanut butter will give the cookies a bit more texture. Just make sure to stir the peanut butter well before using.

2. Can I freeze the dough?
Yes! You can freeze the dough in balls and bake them later. Just place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then store them in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

3. Can I use natural peanut butter?
Natural peanut butter can be used, but it may result in a slightly different texture. It might be a bit drier, so you might need to add a little extra butter or oil to compensate.

4. How do I store the cookies?
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge or freeze them.

5. Can I make these cookies without eggs?
Yes, you can use an egg substitute like flaxseed meal or a store-bought egg replacer if you need to make these cookies egg-free.

6. Can I add chocolate chips to the dough?
Definitely! Chocolate chips would pair wonderfully with the peanut butter flavor. Add about ½ cup to the dough for a chocolatey twist.

7. Can I make these cookies smaller or bigger?
Sure! If you want smaller cookies, just scoop out less dough. Larger cookies will need a little extra baking time, so keep an eye on them.

8. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, margarine can be used in place of butter, but it may affect the flavor and texture slightly.

9. How can I make the cookies less sweet?
If you prefer less sweetness, you can reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe or skip the extra sugar on top of the cookies.

10. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure you have enough space to bake two trays of cookies at once, and keep an eye on them to prevent overbaking.

Conclusion

There’s something magical about a warm, chewy peanut butter cookie. These Thick & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies are exactly what you need for an indulgent, comforting treat. With just the right balance of crunch and chew, and that classic peanut butter flavor, they’re bound to become your new favorite bake. So grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and get ready for a batch of cookie perfection!