The Fluffiest Ultra-Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe Ever

Baking these ultra-soft peanut butter cookies brings pure comfort straight to your kitchen.

Creamy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness defines every single bite of this delightful treat.

Childhood memories flood back with each golden-brown morsel fresh from the oven.

Soft textures and rich nutty flavors combine to create an irresistible snack everyone adores.

Simple ingredients come together magically to produce these heavenly little delights.

Mixing becomes a breeze with our foolproof method that guarantees perfect results.

These cookies promise to become your new favorite sweet indulgence that sparks joy with every delectable crumb.

FAQs

• Why do I need to roll the dough balls in sugar?

Rolling the dough balls in extra sugar creates a slightly crispy, sweet exterior and adds a sparkling texture to the cookies, enhancing their appearance and giving them a delightful crunch.

• Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?

Natural peanut butter can work, but it might make the dough more crumbly. For best results, use a stable, creamy peanut butter with some stabilizers to help maintain the cookie’s texture and consistency.

• How do I know if the cookies are done baking?

Look for golden edges and a set center. The cookies might seem slightly soft when you first take them out, but they’ll firm up as they cool on the baking sheet for those 5 minutes.

What Makes Thick & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Irresistible

• Conquer Kitchen Simplicity: This recipe demands minimal ingredients and basic mixing skills, making it perfect for bakers of all experience levels.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Treats: Peanut butter cookies appeal to all ages, from kids to grandparents, ensuring everyone gets a delicious bite of comfort.
• Customize with Ease: Add chocolate chips, roll in different sugars, or experiment with mix-ins to personalize these classic cookies according to your taste preferences.
• Bake and Satisfy Quickly: With straightforward steps and a short baking time, you can go from mixing to munching in less than half an hour, satisfying sudden cookie cravings.

What Goes Into Thick & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

• Peanut Butter: The star ingredient that provides rich, nutty flavor and creamy texture to the cookies.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a crisp exterior for the cookies.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the cookie's structure.
• Flour: Provides the base and helps create the cookie's thick and chewy texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the overall cookie flavor.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread during baking.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall taste of the cookies.

• Milk: Used to soften the dough if it becomes too thick during mixing.

• Extra Sugar: Optional coating that adds extra sweetness and creates a slightly crunchy exterior.

How to Bake Thick & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Cookie Base

• Peanut butter
• Sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Baking soda
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients until the mixture becomes smooth and fully combined.

Step 3: Form the Dough

Slowly incorporate flour into the mixture.

If the dough feels too dense, splash in a bit of milk to soften the texture. Mix until the dough holds together perfectly.

Step 4: Shape the Cookies

Scoop out small portions of dough and roll them into neat balls. For extra sweetness, roll each ball in a sprinkle of sugar.

Step 5: Arrange on Baking Sheet

Place the dough balls on the prepared sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.

Step 6: Create Classic Marks

Use a fork to gently press down on each ball, creating the signature crisscross pattern that makes these cookies instantly recognizable.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Pop the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Look for golden edges and a set center – this is your signal that the cookies are ready.

Step 8: Cool and Enjoy

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

The waiting is the hardest part, but trust me, it’s worth it!

Tricks for Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies Every Time

• Warm peanut butter slightly at room temperature for easier mixing and smoother cookie texture.
• Use a light touch when pressing fork marks to keep cookies thick and soft instead of flattening completely.
• Add milk sparingly if dough feels too stiff, ensuring tender and chewy results every time.
• Opt for natural, creamy peanut butter with deeper taste compared to processed brands for richer cookie experience.
• Keep cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain soft, delectable texture.

Different Ways to Enjoy Peanut Butter Cookies

• Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same rich, nutty flavor.
• Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies: Fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough for an extra layer of sweetness and indulgence.
• Low-Sugar Peanut Butter Cookies: Substitute regular sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia to reduce overall sugar content while keeping the classic cookie texture.
• Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies: Use a flax egg instead of a regular egg, swap peanut butter for a plant-based alternative, and choose a vegan sugar to create a completely dairy-free and egg-free cookie option.

Pairings for Thick & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

• Select a robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel to complement the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter cookies. The wine's strong tannins will balance the sweetness and create a luxurious tasting experience.
• Classic cold milk provides the perfect creamy contrast to the dense, chewy texture of these cookies. The smooth dairy drink cuts through the richness and cleanses the palate between bites.
• A dark chocolate stout beer offers deep, complex flavors that harmonize beautifully with the peanut butter's nutty profile. The beer's roasted malt notes enhance the cookie's sweetness and create a decadent pairing.

How to Store Your Peanut Butter Cookies Fresh

• Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
• Wrap individual cookies or entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing quality or taste.
• Keep cookies in sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, ensuring they remain crisp and delicious. Avoid humid areas to prevent softening.
• Warm refrigerated or frozen cookies in microwave for 10-15 seconds or in oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore original soft and chewy texture.

Ultra-Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Irresistible ultra-soft peanut butter cookies deliver a nostalgic homemade comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen. Crumbly edges and rich nutty centers promise pure bliss for cookie enthusiasts seeking sweet perfection you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Peanut Butter Base:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) unsalted peanut butter
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg

Flour and Leavening:

• 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) milk (optional for softer texture)
• Extra sugar for rolling (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and arrange parchment paper on a baking sheet to prevent sticking.
2. Combine peanut butter, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl, stirring until the mixture achieves a uniform, smooth consistency.
3. Incorporate flour gradually into the wet ingredients, blending until a cohesive dough forms. If the mixture appears too dense, introduce a small amount of milk to enhance flexibility.
4. Create uniform spherical portions by scooping and rolling the dough into tablespoon-sized balls. Optional: coat each ball with an additional layer of granulated sugar for extra sweetness and texture.
5. Position the dough spheres onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring approximately 2 inches of spacing between each cookie to allow for proper expansion during baking.
6. Use a fork to gently indent each dough ball, creating a classic crisscross pattern that not only enhances visual appeal but also helps the cookies cook evenly.
7. Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, monitoring until the cookie edges turn golden and the centers appear fully set. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack for complete cooling.

Notes

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, chewier cookies.
• Swap regular peanut butter for natural or low-fat versions to adjust the texture and nutritional profile.
• Use gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly alternative without compromising the cookie’s soft, rich texture.
• Reduce sugar by 25% and add mashed banana for a healthier, more nutritious version with natural sweetness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg