Soft Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies – Perfect Every Time Recipe
These Soft Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies deliver a perfect balance of rich peanut butter flavor and tender, chewy texture every time. With a simple combination of classic ingredients and a unique touch of ground roasted salted peanuts for added crunch, these cookies are ideal for peanut butter lovers seeking an irresistible homemade treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
- 1 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 cup Sugar (plus 2 Tablespoons for topping)
- 2 large Eggs
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup Peanut Butter (creamy or crunchy)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 3/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt (optional if using salted butter)
- 1 cup Roasted Salted Peanuts (ground or finely chopped to resemble breadcrumbs)
Instructions
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and sugar for about 4 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Ensure to scrape down the bowl’s sides frequently to fully incorporate all ingredients.
- Add Eggs and Peanut Butter: Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract for about a minute until fully combined. Then fold in your choice of creamy or crunchy peanut butter until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Mix in Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Finally, fold in the finely ground or chopped roasted salted peanuts for added texture.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, though overnight chilling is recommended to deepen flavor and improve texture.
- Shape and Bake Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough into 2-inch balls. Coat each ball lightly by rolling it in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Arrange the balls on the prepared cookie sheet and press each one twice with a dinner fork to create a classic crisscross pattern. Bake for 10–13 minutes or until the edges turn light golden, being careful not to overbake to maintain softness. Let the cookies cool on the pan for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Notes
- For best flavor and texture, chilling the dough overnight is recommended.
- If using salted butter, you may omit or reduce added salt in the recipe.
- You can choose either creamy or crunchy peanut butter based on your preference.
- The ground roasted salted peanuts add an additional layer of crunch and depth to the cookies.
- Avoid overbaking to preserve the soft, chewy texture.
