Irresistibly Puffy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Crafting delectable puffy peanut butter cookies can transform an ordinary afternoon into a sweet adventure.

Soft clouds of buttery goodness await your taste buds with this irresistible treat.

Childhood memories of warm kitchens and fresh-baked comfort flood back with each tender bite.

Delightful textures blend perfectly between crisp edges and pillowy centers that melt in your mouth.

Surprising ingredients make these cookies stand out from standard recipes you’ve tried before.

Simple techniques ensure even novice bakers can create bakery-worthy delights without stress.

You’ll want to share these magical morsels with everyone around you.

Grab a glass of cold milk and let the cookie magic begin!

Why Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Work

• Bake with Minimal Fuss: This peanut butter cookie recipe requires simple ingredients and basic mixing techniques, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Treats: Packed with rich peanut butter flavor and a classic crisscross design, these cookies will delight both kids and adults at gatherings, potlucks, or family dessert times.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe by adding chocolate chips, using different nut butters, or sprinkling sea salt on top for a personalized touch that matches your taste preferences.
• Quick Kitchen Reward: With straightforward steps and common pantry ingredients, you can go from mixing bowl to delicious cookies in just a short cooking session, satisfying sweet cravings without complex preparation.

Ingredients for Thick Peanut Butter Cookies

• Peanut Butter: A creamy and rich base that gives the cookies their signature nutty flavor and soft texture.
• Butter: Provides moisture and helps create a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.
• Flour: The primary structure builder that gives the cookies their classic chewy consistency.

• Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: These add sweetness and help create a soft, chewy cookie with a slightly caramelized flavor.

• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and help create a rich, soft cookie texture.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Help the cookies rise and spread evenly while creating a light, tender crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet aroma.

• Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the deep flavors of the peanut butter and other ingredients.

How to Bake Thick and Chewy Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 350F (175C). Grab a baking sheet and dress it up with parchment paper for a smooth cookie-baking experience.

Step 2: Cream the Creamy Goodness

• Butter
• Peanut butter
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar

Beat these ingredients until they become light, fluffy, and looking irresistible. Crack in the eggs and splash of vanilla extract, mixing until everything is buddy-buddy.

Step 3: Blend the Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt

Slowly introduce these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring until they form a perfect cookie dough partnership.

Step 4: Shape the Cookie Magic

Scoop out generous spoonfuls of dough and roll them into cute little balls.

Place these cookie nuggets on your prepared baking sheet, giving them some personal space (about 2 inches apart). Use a fork to create those classic crisscross patterns that make peanut butter cookies so recognizable.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and let the cookies bake for 10-12 minutes. You’re looking for golden edges with centers that still have a bit of softness.

Once done, let the cookies chill on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Handy Notes for Peanut Butter Cookie Success

• Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking to intensify flavors and prevent spreading.
• Press the fork gently and evenly to create a classic crisscross pattern without crushing the cookie's delicate texture.
• Watch cookies carefully during the last few minutes of baking to ensure golden edges but soft, chewy centers.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain moisture and softness for several days.
• Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the same delicious peanut butter taste.

New Takes on Peanut Butter Cookies

• Almond Butter Classic: Swap peanut butter with almond butter for a nutty alternative with similar texture and richness.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive diets.
• Chocolate Chip Boost: Fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough for extra sweetness and indulgent flavor profile.
• Vegan Cookie Option: Use coconut oil instead of butter, plant-based egg replacer, and vegan peanut butter to create a completely dairy-free and egg-free version.

What Pairs Best with Peanut Butter Cookies

Enjoy a classic, nostalgic glass of cold milk that perfectly complements the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter cookies, creating a creamy and smooth taste experience.

Brew a strong, bold dark roast coffee that cuts through the sweetness of the cookies, offering a robust contrast and enhancing the peanut butter’s deep, warm notes.

Select a rich chocolate stout beer that echoes the cookie’s nutty profile, providing a decadent and indulgent pairing that amplifies the dessert’s complex flavors.

Top a warm cookie with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful temperature and texture contrast that melts in your mouth.

How to Keep Peanut Butter Cookies Fresh

• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent crumbling.
• Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Place cookies in sealed container with tight lid. Keep at room temperature for 3-4 days. Add slice of bread to container to retain moisture and softness.
• Warm cookies for 10-15 seconds on medium power. Check temperature to avoid overcooking. Microwave one or two cookies at a time for best results.

FAQs

• Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?

Natural peanut butter can be tricky. Stick with traditional creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy for best results, as they have stabilizers that help maintain cookie texture.

• Why do I need to press a fork on the cookies?

The fork creates the classic crisscross pattern and helps flatten the cookies, ensuring even baking and that signature peanut butter cookie look.

• How do I know the cookies are done baking?

Look for slightly golden edges while the centers remain soft. They’ll continue cooking slightly after removing from the oven, so don’t overbake.

Puffy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.5 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Homemade puffy peanut butter cookies deliver irresistible comfort with their cloud-like texture and rich nutty flavor. Crisp edges and tender centers make these classic treats perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying alongside a cold glass of milk.

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Ingredients

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Thick & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) creamy peanut butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 3/4 cups (220 grams) all-purpose flour

Sweeteners and Fats:

• 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened

Leavening and Seasoning:

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

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350F (175C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, cream together butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale.
3. Incorporate eggs and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
4. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
6. Portion the dough into golf ball-sized rounds, rolling each between your palms to create uniform spheres.
7. Arrange cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining approximately 2 inches of space between each.
8. Using the tines of a fork, gently imprint a classic crisscross pattern on the surface of each cookie, creating distinctive texture.
9. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for slightly golden edges while keeping the centers soft and tender.
10. Remove from oven and allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to complete cooling.

Notes

• For extra chewiness, refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and enhance texture.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac-friendly cookies without compromising taste.
• Use natural peanut butter with no added sugar to control sweetness and reduce overall sugar content.
• Enhance flavor by adding a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking for a delightful sweet-salty contrast.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 181 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 88 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7.0 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 17 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 28 mg