Buttery soft Peanut Butter Cookies! These are a classic cookie, but I’d bet that this recipe is a little different from the versions you’re used to. This recipe uses all butter and no shortening for the softest, best-tasting peanut butter cookie. I’ve also included a video so you can see exactly how I make them in my own kitchen.
Peanut butter cookies are one of my all-time favorites, right up there with other classics like my Chocolate Chip Cookies, Snickerdoodles, and Oatmeal Cookies!
The Best Peanut Butter Cookies
Say hello to the softest, butteriest, best peanut butter cookies you’ve ever tried.
I’m not even exaggerating. With their slightly crisp, sugar-coated exteriors that give way to chewy, melt-in-your-mouth, peanut butter-y centers… I’m basically obsessed with them.
The dough freezes well, too, which I can attest to because I have (or, had, rather) a full bag of peanut butter cookie dough balls in my freezer that I’ve been baking my way through all too rapidly. As I’m writing this the oven is currently preheating so I can make myself even more. I’m not sure if it’s because these peanut butter cookies have become one of my top pregnancy cravings or just because they’re that good.
Key Ingredients for the Softest Peanut Butter Cookies
You’ll recognize most of the ingredients above as being pretty standard for peanut butter cookies, but there are a few key points I’d like to make about the following:
- Butter. As I mentioned, many, many peanut butter cookies (including my favorite version growing up) use shortening, or a blend of butter and shortening. I developed this cookie recipe specifically to use butter, and only butter. The result is a cookie that’s soft and chewy with a tender, buttery crumb and a flavor like no other.
- Sugar. We’re using a blend of light brown and granulated sugar. The brown sugar imparts moisture and a touch of extra flavor into the cookies.
- Cornstarch. I love using cornstarch in my cookie recipes. The cornstarch acts in much the same way flour does and helps keep the cookies from spreading too much without making them cakey or dry (the way flour might). It’s key for the soft texture of these peanut butter cookies.
Once Baby Boy is born the first thing I’m doing is diving head-first into a bowl of peanut butter cookie dough. Avoiding raw dough and batter has been one of the toughest things about this pregnancy (thank goodness for edible cookie dough!)!
What’s With the Fork Marks?
Peanut butter cookie dough is typically quite dense and traditionally the dough needs to be pressed down to encourage the cookies to spread properly and bake evenly. Typically this is done with the tines of a fork. With my recipe, the fork marks are largely unnecessary as these cookies spread pretty well on their own, but a peanut butter cookie without the grid-design on top just doesn’t seem like a peanut butter cookie to me, so we keep it classic here!
Tips for Making Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies
- I recommend using creamy peanut butter, but chunky peanut butter will also work well if you want a little extra texture! However, I do not recommend using a natural peanut butter (the kind where the oil separates and it needs to be stirred).
- As with many of my recipes, this recipe uses unsalted butter and then we add ¾ teaspoon of salt. If you only have salted butter on hand you can use that and reduce the salt in the recipe to ¼ teaspoon. Here’s more information on why I use unsalted butter and then add salt, if you’re interested.
- The peanut butter cookie dough will need to be chilled. Cover the dough and chill it for at least 30 minutes. That’s usually enough chilling for my cookie dough, but if yours is still too sticky, return it to the fridge and chill another 15 minutes or so. This dough can also be made a day or two in advance, just make sure you cover it well while it is chilling.
- Rolling your peanut butter cookie dough balls in sugar is optional, but I think it gives these cookies a nice slightly crisp exterior and super soft and chewy interiors. Plus, what’s an extra teaspoon of sugar? 😉
- Do not over-bake these cookies, that’s the surest way to get dry cookies. The centers should actually seem just slightly under-baked when they come out of the oven. they will finish baking as they cool on the cookie sheet (let them cool completely on the cookie sheet).
I’m so obsessed with how soft and buttery and chewy these cookies are that I’ve used this same base for my peanut butter blossoms!
Enjoy!
More Classic Cookies to Try:
Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 10 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (141g)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter¹ (140g)
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar, tightly packed (135g)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (50g)
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (188g)
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- Additional granulated sugar for rolling
Recommended Equipment
- 1 ½ Tablespoon-sized cookie scoop
Instructions
- Combine butter, peanut butter, and brown sugar and ¼ cup granulated sugar in a large bowl (or in the bowl of a stand mixer) and use an electric mixer to beat until creamy and well combined.
- Add egg and vanilla extract and stir until well-combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually stir the flour mixture into the peanut butter mixture. Make sure to pause periodically to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are well-combined.
- Cover mixing bowl with plastic wrap and place peanut butter cookie dough in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes to one hour (start with 30 minutes, if the dough is too sticky or your cookies are coming out of the oven too flat, chill for an additional half an hour. This dough may be chilled overnight if you'd like).
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Once dough has chilled, remove from refrigerator and scoop into heaping 1 ½ Tablespoon-sized balls.
- Roll the cookie dough between your palms until smooth and then roll thoroughly in additional granulated sugar. Place on prepared cookie sheet, spacing cookies at least 2" apart.
- Use the tines of a fork to gently make a criss-cross pattern on the surface of each cookie by slightly pressing down.
- Bake on 350F (175C) for 9-12 minutes. Edges should be just turning golden brown but the cookie centers should appear slightly under-baked, allow cookies to cool completely on the cookie sheets and the centers will finish baking (but remain soft and chewy) as they cool on the cookie sheet. Don't over-bake or the cookies will be dry.
- Allow peanut butter cookies to cool completely on baking sheet before enjoying.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published 05/09/2018. The recipe remains the same but more notes, photos and information have been added to the post with the hope to make it as helpful as possible!
Jill
What ifs?…what if I only have whole grain flour and “real” peanut butter?
Was gonna ask how to prepare pans…but remembered parchment paper..
Gonna try putting a few chocolate pieces on top for garnish…must have chocolate!Jill
Sugar Spun Run
I am excited for you to try this recipe, Jill. Whole grain flour tends to alter the texture and taste of the cookies so I don’t usually recommend it. If you are referring to “natural” peanut butter as real peanut butter, that will really depend on the brand. I have found that the natural peanut butter has not been as successful because of the oil, causing a greasy cookie. Again, you are welcome to try. I’d love to know how they turn out for you. 🙂
Ana
I was hoping they’d turn out but they were really dry… I think it was the corn starch. Usually my cookies aren’t dry, but this time they were very dry we ended up throwing them out.
Sugar Spun Run
I am really sorry to hear that your cookies turned out dry, Ana! Usually, this is the result of two things over baking or over measuring our flour. Overmeasuring flour is one of the most common mistakes in baking so I have created a guide that can be used as a reference for next time. I hope that you find it helpful. Again I am sorry that your cookies did not turn out well.
Pat
First, I’d like to tell you that I searched YOUR site when I wanted to make peanut butter cookies. I’ve learned to trust your recipes because you’ve never let me down or disappointed me!
This is the best ever peanut butter cookie recipe. So easy, very uniform cookie and absolutely fabulous flavor. I followed it exactly and 30 minute chilling in the refrigerator was all it needed. 9-10 minutes bake time with just a touch of color when I took them out and they were perfect. Thanks again, Sam!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much for continuing to come to my site for new ideas. I greatly appreciate your support, Pat. I am glad that these cookies did not disappoint. Thanks for commenting. I can’t wait to hear what you try next. 🙂
Sandy
look great. can’t wait to try. Thanks for sharing.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you, Sandy!
Sarah
Would this still work without baking soda?
Sam
Unfortunately the cookies won’t spread without the baking soda, I’m sorry Sarah 🙁
Susie
LOVE these cookies I made these for the first time today and they were the best ever
This recipe is a keeper
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed them, Susie! Thank you for trying my recipe and for commenting. 🙂
Brenda Pinter
We absolutely love these peanut butter cookies. I did substitute and used crunchy peanut butter and I also added 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. The taste was awesome! Thank you so much for being so generous and sharing all your wonderful recipes with us.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much for trying this recipe, Brenda! I am so glad that you enjoyed the cookies! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
Elaine
Would it be ok to add peanuts to this cookie recipe and if so, how much would you recoommend?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Elaine! Yes, you can most certainly add chopped peanuts. I usually eye ball it, 1/2 cup maybe? 🙂
Jennifer
Hands down THE best recipe for peanut butter cookies that I have ever made, and I have made quite a few over the years. I made these a few weeks ago, and everyone loved them. I’m making them again today.
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that the cookies were such a big hit, Jennifer! Thank you for coming back to my site and trying them again. Happy Baking! 🙂
Renee
Your Worst Chocolate Chip Cookies changed my LIFE, and now I made these too, and they are perfect. You need to be famous immediately.
Sugar Spun Run
Your comment made my day, Renee! Thank you so much! I am so glad that you enjoyed this recipe along with my chocolate chip cookies. I appreciate your feedback and kind words. 🙂
Stacey
Hello-will this recipe work for big 6” cookies like the chocolate chip recipe?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Stacey! Yes, it should work just fine. The baking time will vary, so I recommend keeping an eye on it. I hope that you enjoy the peanut butter cookies. 🙂
Jay
These are without a doubt the best peanut butter cookies I’ve made. This recipe really nailed it; I can’t believe how well they turned out. The roasted flavors of the brown sugar and peanut harmonize wonderfully while the texture itself is just perfect. Thanks for sharing this!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so happy to hear how much you loved the peanut butter cookies, Jay! Thanks for trying my recipe and for commenting. 🙂
Patricia L Bowers
I made your peanut butter cookies a few days ago. I might not have measured the flour (I eyeball it). The most amazing cookies we have ever had, I chilled the dough for at least an hour, the cookies came out like the most moist cake-cookie ever. I love your recipes. I’ll measure the flour next time!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed the cookies, Patricia! Anytime I eyeball the flour they are flat or way too dry, so I am glad you lucked out. Thanks so much for commenting. I can’t wait to hear what recipe you try next. 🙂
Katy
Super easy recipe, followed to a “T”. But they came out soft but crumbly at the same time. Not sure what happened.
Ashley
I just have to say that I’ve made your sugar cookies and icing, your worst chocolate chip cookies recipe and these all within the last couple of days and they are the best I’ve tasted of all the recipes for each type of cookie I’ve ever tried/made. The additional notes and suggestions are appreciated! I like that they all go at 350 degrees and the chilling doesn’t bother me. I’ve not had any issues with any recipe of yours and everyone’s enjoyed each things I’ve made.
THANK YOU!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so very much, Ashley, for your kind words. I am so glad that every recipe you have tried of mine have been such a big hit. Thank you! 🙂