Irresistibly Soft & Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Crafting the most delectable soft & thick peanut butter cookies can turn an ordinary afternoon into a sweet celebration.

Memories of childhood comfort flood back with each bite of these delightful treats.

Rich, creamy peanut butter mingles perfectly with a hint of vanilla.

Crisp edges give way to a tender, melt-in-your-mouth center that promises pure bliss.

Every baker knows the secret lies in balancing ingredients with love and precision.

Simple yet sophisticated, these cookies invite you to slow down and savor each moment.

Let the aroma of freshly baked goodness inspire you to whip up a batch right now.

Soft & Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Stay Chewy And Full Of Flavor

• Speedy Sweet Solution: Whips up delicious cookies in just 25 minutes total, perfect for sudden dessert cravings or last-minute treat needs.
• Foolproof Family Favorite: Simple ingredients and easy mixing technique make this recipe perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from kids to grandparents.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Classic peanut butter flavor delivers nostalgic warmth, guaranteed to bring smiles and create cozy moments around the kitchen or dining table.
• Versatile Snack Champion: Works brilliantly as an after-school treat, casual potluck contribution, or weekend baking activity that everyone will love.

Peanut Butter Cookie Structure

• Peanut Butter: Creamy and rich base that gives signature flavor, smooth texture ideal for soft cookies.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides moisture, richness, and helps create tender cookie texture, room temperature works best.

• Sugar, Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness, creates crisp edges and helps with cookie caramelization, brown sugar adds deeper flavor complexity.

• Large Egg: Binds ingredients together, adds structure and helps cookies hold shape.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor, adds depth and warmth to cookie taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps cookies maintain shape, standard baking flour works perfectly.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread, creates soft and light texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness, enhances overall flavor profile of cookies.

Soft And Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Guide

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350°F, creating the perfect warm environment for your cookie adventure.

Step 2: Blend Creamy Base

• Smooth peanut butter
• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Beat these ingredients until they transform into a silky, dreamy mixture that promises deliciousness.

Step 3: Introduce Moisture Makers

Crack in a fresh egg and splash of vanilla extract.

Blend thoroughly until the mixture becomes completely smooth and inviting.

Step 4: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Pinch of salt

Gently mix these dry ingredients, preparing them to join the party.

Step 5: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients.

Stir until a soft, cohesive dough forms.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Gems

Roll the dough into cute little balls.

Delicately press each one down slightly on your baking sheet, giving them a gentle touch.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 8: Cool and Celebrate

Transfer your cookies to a wire rack.

Let them cool and crisp up, then dive into cookie paradise!

Soft Peanut Butter Cookies With Pro Results

• Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create a thicker, softer texture.
• Use smooth, creamy peanut butter for a consistent, soft cookie that holds its shape perfectly.
• Gently mix the dry and wet ingredients just until combined to keep the cookies tender and prevent tough, dense results.
• Look for golden edges and slightly underbaked centers to ensure soft, chewy cookies that remain moist.
• Fold in chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, or a sprinkle of sea salt to add extra flavor and texture to your classic peanut butter cookies.

Peanut Butter Cookies Store Without Losing Softness

• Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping them soft and fresh by placing a piece of bread inside to maintain moisture.
• Wrap individual cookies or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Frozen cookies stay delicious for 3 months.
• Remove frozen cookies and let sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before enjoying their original soft texture.
• Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore that just-baked warmth and softness.

Ideas to Pair With Peanut Butter Cookies

• Pair with Creamy Milk: Cold, fresh milk complements the rich, nutty peanut butter cookie perfectly, cutting through the sweetness and providing a smooth contrast.
• Serve with Chocolate Companion: Dark chocolate or mocha cappuccino enhances the deep peanut butter flavor, creating a decadent taste experience that elevates the cookie's warmth.
• Match with Fruity Contrast: Raspberry sorbet or strawberry tea offers a bright, tangy counterpoint to the dense, rich cookie, cleansing the palate between bites and adding a refreshing touch.
• Complement with Caramel Delight: Salted caramel latte or caramel sauce drizzled on top brings out the cookie's buttery notes, adding depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.

Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Variants

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Adaptation: Substitute egg with flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) and use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of dairy butter.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of regular sugar, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining cookie sweetness.
• Protein-Packed Variation: Mix in a scoop of vanilla protein powder to boost protein content and create a more nutritious cookie version.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of peanut butter?

Yes, creamy or crunchy peanut butter works great. Just avoid natural or separated peanut butter as they can make cookies dry and crumbly.

• How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This helps cookies maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading.

• Why did my cookies turn out hard instead of soft?

Avoid overbaking. Take cookies out when edges are just golden, and they’ll stay soft. Also, measure flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling off.

• Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Add a little xanthan gum for better texture.

Soft & Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Irresistible peanut butter cookies deliver comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, melting hearts with each buttery, rich bite. Crisp edges and chewy centers make these classic treats perfect companions for milk or coffee, inviting you to savor pure homemade happiness.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Sweeteners:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Flavor Enhancers and Leavening Agents:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature of 350°F, preparing a clean baking sheet with light parchment paper or a non-stick surface.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend creamy peanut butter with softened butter, creating a smooth, unified mixture that incorporates both white and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Introduce a fresh egg and pure vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, whisking vigorously until the texture becomes uniform and silky.
4. Separately, sift together dry ingredients – all-purpose flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt – ensuring even distribution of leavening agents.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredient blend into the wet mixture, stirring gently to create a cohesive dough that holds together without overmixing.
6. Using clean hands, roll the dough into uniform spherical shapes, placing them evenly across the prepared baking sheet with gentle pressure to slightly flatten each cookie.
7. Position the cookie-laden sheet in the preheated oven, baking for approximately 10-12 minutes until the edges transform into a delicate golden hue.
8. Remove from oven and allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few moments before transferring to a wire cooling rack, permitting them to firm and develop a perfect soft texture.

Notes

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, softer cookies.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and better texture.
• For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend.
• Press fork crosshatch pattern gently to create classic peanut butter cookie look without flattening too much.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg