Recipe – Simple Peanut Butter Cookies

A Timeless Classic in Every Kitchen
Peanut butter cookies have stood the test of time for more than a century, earning a spot in nearly every home cook’s repertoire. These cookies are simple, reliable, and surprisingly satisfying. You only need a handful of ingredients you likely already have on hand, making them a go-to treat when you want something homemade but fuss-free. Kids love them, adults love them, and they’re perfect for packing in lunchboxes or serving at gatherings. What’s more, they carry a touch of nostalgia, reminding many of childhood afternoons spent sneaking cookies straight from the cooling rack. And while they’re sweet, they also offer a bit of protein thanks to the peanut butter, giving them a slightly more substantial feel than some other types of cookies.

Why Peanut Butter Cookies Matter
In an age when elaborate pastries and exotic desserts get much of the spotlight, there’s something wonderfully comforting about a straightforward peanut butter cookie. No piping bags, no tempering chocolate, no intricate layering—just a few ingredients mixed, scooped, and baked. That simplicity is part of their enduring charm. But it’s not the only reason they matter. Peanut butter cookies also provide a canvas for reading labels and understanding what goes into our food. When you make them yourself, you control the sugar level, choose natural or reduced-fat peanut butter, and avoid preservatives or artificial flavors. That small act of making cookies from scratch can leave you feeling more connected to your food and more mindful about what you eat.

The Story Behind the Peanut Butter Cookie
The peanut butter cookie is believed to have first appeared in print in the early 20th century. By the 1920s and 1930s, it had gained popularity in American households. Some credit the cookie’s rise to the Peanut Butter Manufacturers Association, which promoted peanut butter as a nutritious, high-protein food. Families embraced peanut butter cookies partly because they combined the novelty of a relatively new pantry staple—peanut butter—with time-tested baking techniques. Over the decades, different regions and bakers put their own spin on the basic recipe, adding chocolate chips, oats, or even jelly centers. But the original, four-ingredient version remains beloved for its straightforward, unfussy approach.

Ingredients You’ll Need
But to make those classic peanut butter cookies, you don’t need much. The simplicity is almost ironic; a recipe with just peanut butter and sugar can produce something so comforting. Below is an ingredients table listing both US and Metric measurements. If you’d like a bit of saltiness to cut through the sweetness, opt for a salted peanut butter or add a pinch of kosher salt. And if your peanut butter is unsalted, a little extra salt in the dough can help balance flavors.

Ingredient	US Measurement	Metric Measurement
Peanut Butter (smooth or chunky)	1 cup	240 grams
Granulated Sugar	1 cup	200 grams
Large Egg	1 egg	50 grams (approx.)
Pure Vanilla Extract	1 teaspoon	5 milliliters
Optional Salt	Pinch	~1 gram

Equipment Checklist
Before you start mixing ingredients, gather a handful of simple tools. You don’t need specialized gear—most of what you require is already in your kitchen drawers.

• Mixing Bowl: A medium-sized bowl for combining ingredients.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: An electric hand mixer speeds things up, but a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease work fine.
• Baking Sheets: Two standard cookie sheets. You can line them with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements make a difference in baking.
• Fork: For creating the classic criss-cross pattern on each cookie.
• Cooling Rack: To let the cookies cool evenly once they come out of the oven.

Prep and Baking Time Breakdown
Timing in baking is practical, not precious. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Active Prep Time: About 10 to 15 minutes. That includes measuring, mixing, scooping, and preheating the oven.
• Baking Time: 8 to 10 minutes per batch, depending on your oven’s quirks and how soft or crisp you like your cookies.
• Cooling Time: 10 to 15 minutes on the baking sheet, then another 10 minutes on a cooling rack if you can wait that long.
• Total Time: Roughly 35 to 45 minutes from start to finish, including cooling.

Step-by-Step Instructions
Baking these cookies is straightforward. And while you can eyeball some things, following the steps exactly helps ensure you get consistent results.

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (177°C, Gas Mark 4). Allow it to come up to temperature—an oven thermometer can help if your oven runs hot or cold.
2. Prepare Baking Sheets: Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
3. Combine Ingredients: In your mixing bowl, add the peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. If you’re using a pinch of salt, add it now. Beat everything together until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice.
4. Shape the Dough: Scoop out roughly one-inch balls of dough using a spoon or a small cookie scoop.
5. Arrange on Sheet: Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
6. Criss-Cross Pattern: Press each ball gently with a fork first in one direction, then perpendicular to the first line.
7. Bake: Slide the baking sheet into the oven middle rack. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden. The centers will look soft—that’s fine.
8. Cool: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Shaping the Dough Just Right
Shape matters. If you make the dough balls too large, the center will take longer to bake and might remain overly soft. Too small, and you’ll end up with crunchy discs that brown too fast. Aim for balls that weigh about 13–15 grams each (about one inch in diameter). Uniformity ensures even baking. When pressing with your fork, don’t mash so hard that the cookie is paper-thin; just enough to make a clear pattern. The criss-cross pattern isn’t purely decorative. It flattens the dough slightly so the cookies bake evenly, ensuring the center cooks through before the edges overbrown.

Baking to Perfection
Ovens differ. A high-quality oven thermometer can guide you here. If your cookies look dark around the edges after eight minutes, check their centers: if the middle still wobbles, you may need another minute or two. But watch carefully—once peanut butter cookies overcook, they harden quickly. Pull them when the edges are just set and the center still looks slightly underdone. The carry-over heat from the baking sheet and residual oven warmth will continue cooking them gently while they cool.

Cooling and Storing Your Cookies
Cookies need space to cool. If you try to pack them into a container while still warm, they’ll sweat, become soggy, and lose that crisp-outside, tender-inside texture. After the ten-minute resting period on the baking sheet, move them to a wire rack where air can circulate underneath. Once fully cooled, store them in an airtight container. You can layer them between sheets of parchment paper to avoid sticking. And yes, you can refrigerate the container, which helps them keep their shape and texture for up to two weeks. If you skip refrigeration, they’ll stay fresh at room temperature for 5 to 7 days.

Serving Suggestions
Serve these cookies plain with a glass of milk or coffee. But you can also dress them up if you like. Spread a little jam between two cookies for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich effect, or dip half the cookie in melted dark chocolate and let it set. For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped peanuts on top of the cookies just as they come out of the oven, pressing lightly so the nuts adhere. You could even crumble a cookie over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a crunchy topping. But honestly, they shine on their own.

Variation Ideas to Keep It Fresh
If you make these cookies a lot, you might crave variety. Try stirring in a handful of chocolate chips or white chocolate chunks. Swap half the granulated sugar for brown sugar for a deeper, caramel-like note. Or stir in a quarter cup of quick oats for a rustic texture. For a gluten-free twist, add a tablespoon of almond flour to the dough. If salt is your thing, sprinkle a tiny pinch of fleur de sel or flaky sea salt on each cookie right before baking. Those little variations can make each batch feel new without complicating the process.

Troubleshooting Common Issues
Oven too hot? Cookies brown unevenly or burn on the edges. Use an oven thermometer and adjust the temperature down by 10°F if necessary. Dough too sticky? Chill it for 15 minutes before scooping. Your peanut butter might be extra oily or warm. Dough too dry? If it cracks badly when you shape it, add a teaspoon of milk or a tiny bit more vanilla. Cookies too flat? Try chilling the dough balls on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before pressing and baking. That gives the fat a chance to firm up, slowing the spread.

Nutritional Facts Explained
Here’s a rough estimate of the nutritional content per cookie, assuming you get about 24 cookies from this batch. Exact values depend on the exact peanut butter and sugar you use.

• Calories: ~110 kcal
• Total Fat: 7 g (of which saturated fat 1.5 g)
• Carbohydrates: 10 g (sugar 7 g, fiber 1 g)
• Protein: 3 g
• Sodium: 50 mg

These cookies aren’t just empty calories. Peanut butter brings protein and healthy fats. But they’re still a sweet treat, so eat them in moderation. If you reduce the sugar by 25%, you’ll cut calories slightly but might notice a change in texture—they’ll hold together less firmly and be more tender.

Tips for Peanut Butter Lovers
If you love peanut butter, use the best quality you can find. Natural peanut butter with just peanuts (and maybe a little salt) gives the purest flavor. Stir it well so the oils integrate, or use the no-stir variety for convenience. If you prefer chunkier bites, go for chunky peanut butter or stir in an extra tablespoon of chopped roasted peanuts after mixing the dough. And watch the roasting level on your peanut butter: lightly roasted nuts taste milder and sweeter, while dark-roasted varieties bring a deeper, toastier character.

Final Thoughts on Homemade Comfort
Peanut butter cookies prove you don’t need complexity to create something terrific. Four ingredients, a little time, and basic tools are all it takes. They’re a reminder that some of the best baked treats are the simplest, grounded in familiar flavors we associate with home and hearth. So next time you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen, mix up a batch. You’ll end up with warm, tender cookies that hit the spot.

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Recipe Card

Yield: Makes about 24 cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 minutes per batch
Cooling Time: 10–15 minutes

Equipment:

• Mixing bowl
• Electric mixer or whisk
• Baking sheets (2)
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Fork
• Cooling rack

Ingredients

Ingredient	US	Metric
Peanut butter (smooth or chunky)	1 cup (240g)	240 g
Granulated sugar	1 cup (200g)	200 g
Large egg	1 egg (50g)	50 g
Pure vanilla extract	1 teaspoon	5 mL
Optional salt	Pinch (~1g)	~1 g

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C, Gas Mark 4).
2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. In a bowl, beat peanut butter, sugar, egg, vanilla (and salt if using) until smooth.
4. Scoop dough into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on sheets.
5. Flatten each with a fork in a criss-cross pattern.
6. Bake 8–10 minutes until edges set and centers look slightly soft.
7. Cool on sheets 10 minutes, then on rack.

Storage:
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. At room temperature, they stay fresh for 5–7 days.

Nutrition (per cookie):

• Calories: ~110 kcal
• Fat: 7 g
• Carbs: 10 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Sodium: 50 mg