Extra-Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Extra-Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Crafting the perfect extra-soft peanut butter cookies can turn an ordinary afternoon into a delightful memory.

Smooth, creamy textures melt on your tongue with each incredible bite.

Childhood nostalgia rushes back when these delectable treats emerge from the oven.

Comfort and warmth radiate through the kitchen as sweet aromas fill the air.

Baking these cookies connects us to simple pleasures that make life extraordinary.

Soft, pillowy goodness awaits you in this straightforward recipe that promises pure happiness.

Unleash your inner baker and create magic with just a few simple ingredients.

Thick And Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies That Impress Every Bite

Savor the Simplicity: Peanut Butter Cookie Delights

  • Create Crowd-Pleasing Treats: These cookies guarantee smiles from kids and adults alike, making them perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or casual dessert moments.
  • Master Easy Baking Skills: Perfect for beginner bakers with straightforward steps, minimal ingredients, and no complicated techniques – anyone can successfully bake these delicious cookies.
  • Enjoy Comfort in Every Bite: Rich peanut butter flavor combined with soft, chewy texture delivers ultimate comfort food satisfaction that feels like a warm culinary hug.
  • Customize with Creativity: Swap ingredients or add chocolate chips, sprinkle sea salt, or experiment with different nut butters to make the recipe uniquely yours.

Ingredients For Thick And Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

Wet Ingredients:
  • Peanut Butter: A creamy base that provides rich, nutty flavor and helps bind the cookie together.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create a soft, tender texture in the cookies.
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Contribute sweetness and help create a chewy, golden-brown cookie.
  • Eggs: Act as a binding agent and provide structure to the cookie dough.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet notes.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Forms the basic structure of the cookie and provides a tender crumb.
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Leavening agents that help the cookies rise and become light and soft.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the depth of flavors in the cookies.
Finishing Touch:
  • Parchment Paper, Silicone Baking Mats: Prevent cookies from sticking and ensure even baking.

How To Bake Thick And Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to 350F. Grab your baking sheets and cover them with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Cookie Base

In a large bowl, blend together:
  • Peanut butter
  • Butter
  • Brown sugar
  • Granulated sugar

Whip these ingredients until they become smooth and creamy. This should take about 2-3 minutes of mixing.

Add eggs one at a time, then pour in vanilla extract. Continue mixing until everything looks silky.

In a separate bowl, combine:
  • Flour
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until just combined – don’t overmix.

Step 3: Shape the Delights

Roll the dough into small balls, each about the size of a golf ball. Place them on your prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.

Create the classic peanut butter cookie look by gently pressing a fork into each ball, making a crisscross pattern.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn golden brown. The centers might look slightly soft, but they’ll firm up as they cool.

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy your homemade treats!

Tips To Perfect Thick And Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure a moist, soft texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Choose high-quality, creamy peanut butter with natural oils for a richer, more intense taste.
  • Slightly underbake cookies by removing them from the oven when edges are golden but centers look soft to achieve that perfect chewy consistency.
  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to make rolling easier and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, placing a piece of bread inside to maintain softness and prevent them from drying out.

Flavorful Variations To Try With Thick And Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Adventure: Fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough for extra richness and flavor.
  • Low-Sugar Wellness Option: Substitute brown and granulated sugars with monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a reduced-sugar cookie that maintains great taste.
  • Vegan Protein Powerhouse: Use coconut oil instead of butter, replace eggs with flax eggs, and select a plant-based peanut butter to create a completely vegan cookie option.

Pairing Suggestions That Go Well With Thick And Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

  • Whole milk creates the ultimate classic companion, cutting through the rich, dense cookie texture and balancing the sweet-salty peanut butter flavor.
  • Dark, robust cold brew coffee provides a sophisticated counterpoint, highlighting the cookie's nutty depth and offering a sophisticated adult twist.
  • Melt dark chocolate with heavy cream to create a luxurious dipping sauce that intensifies the peanut butter cookie's decadent profile, adding elegant complexity.

Storage Advice To Keep Thick And Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Fresh

  • Store cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep them fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying.
  • Portion raw cookie dough into balls, freeze on baking sheet. Transfer frozen dough balls to freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to original baking time.
  • Keep cookies in sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Place sheet of bread inside to maintain softness and prevent drying out.

FAQs

  • What's the secret to getting thick and chewy peanut butter cookies?

The key is not overbaking. Take the cookies out when the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look slightly underdone. They’ll continue to set as they cool, ensuring a soft, chewy texture.

  • Can I use different types of peanut butter?

Stick to creamy, commercial peanut butter for best results. Natural or homemade peanut butter might make the cookies too oily or dry, affecting the texture and consistency.

  • How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for lightly golden edges and centers that appear slightly underbaked. The cookies will firm up as they cool on the baking sheet, creating that perfect thick and chewy texture.

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Extra-Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Extra-Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 28 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Indulgent peanut butter cookies melt hearts with their irresistible charm. Crisp edges and tender centers promise a delightful experience you’ll savor with each heavenly bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

Sugars:

  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Leavening and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Binding Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and arrange oven rack in the middle position. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  2. Combine peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl. Cream together until smooth and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer.
  3. Incorporate eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully blended. Mix in vanilla extract until the mixture appears uniform.
  4. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, ensuring no lumps remain.
  5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring gently until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing to maintain cookie tenderness.
  6. Form dough into uniform 1 1/2-inch spheres using your palms. Arrange cookies on prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
  7. Gently press fork tines across each dough ball, creating signature crisscross patterns for traditional peanut butter cookie appearance.
  8. Slide baking sheets into preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Cookies should develop golden edges while centers remain slightly soft.
  9. Remove from oven and let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes to stabilize structure. Transfer to wire cooling rack and allow complete cooling before serving.

Notes

  • Enhance texture by chilling the dough for 30 minutes before shaping, preventing cookies from spreading too thin during baking.
  • Swap traditional peanut butter with almond or sunflower seed butter for nut-free alternatives, maintaining the same rich, creamy consistency.
  • Use natural peanut butter with minimal added sugar to control sweetness and create a more balanced cookie flavor profile.
  • Reduce baking time by 1-2 minutes for softer, gooier cookies or extend by 2-3 minutes for a crispier, more caramelized texture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 156 kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 77 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Mike Reynolds

Mike Reynolds

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Sustainable cooking techniques, Food photography

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech)
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Mike studied culinary arts with a strong focus on farm-to-table principles and sustainable cooking. His training emphasized the importance of fresh, local ingredients and environmentally responsible practices in the kitchen.


Mike’s food journey began deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where weekends at farmers’ markets and home-cooked meals sparked a lifelong obsession with simple, seasonal eating.
After earning his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, he set out to bring farm-to-table cooking into everyday kitchens, without the fuss.
Mike’s philosophy is all about keeping it fresh, unfussy, and full of heart. When he’s not crafting new single-serving recipes, he’s hiking mountain trails, chatting with local farmers, or experimenting with wild ingredients in his backyard kitchen.

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