This EASY recipe for homemade Peanut Butter Cookies will win you over. The cookies are soft and packed with peanut butter flavor.

Peanut butter cookies stacked with milk in glass cups.

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Classic Peanut Butter Cookies:

This is an easy peanut butter cookie recipe anyone can bake, and so fun to make with kids. They are as classic as Sugar Cookies and Chocolate Chip Cookies. The cookies are irresistibly soft and chewy with just the right amount of peanut butter so they aren’t overly sweet.

You’ll love these cookies, they are:

  • So EASY to make
  • Use staple kitchen ingredients
  • Can be made ahead
  • Freezer friendly cookie recipe
  • Easy to double the recipe

Peanut Butter Cookies stacked on a platter.

How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies:

  1. Dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients; the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sifted flour (measure the flour before sifting).
  2. Wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Add the peanut butter and egg and mix until combined.
  3. Cookie batter: Add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture.
  4. Shape cookies: Form twenty-four 1″ balls. Flatten the cookies in a crisscross pattern using a fork.
  5. Bake 8-9 minutes at 350˚F for soft cookies, just until cookies start to turn golden at the base. Bake 10-11 for firm cookies. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Step by step collage how to make homeamde peanute butter cookies.

Peanut Butter Cookie Variations

This is a recipe for classic peanut butter cookies. However, here are some great ideas for addons:

  • Sugar: Roll cookie dough balls in coarse sugar before pressing and shaping with a fork.
  • Hershey’s kiss: Shape the cookie into a thicker shape (without pressing with a fork) and bake. As soon as the cookie comes out of the oven, press in a Hershey’s kiss into the center.
  • Peanut: You can substitute regular peanut for crunchy if you want nuts in your cookies.

How Long do Peanut Butter Cookies Keep?

You’ll want to enjoy the cookies within two days of baking for the best results. Once they are cooled to room temperature, transfer the cookies to an airtight container and it will help to keep cookies soft.

Step by step collage how to make and shape peanut butter cookies.

Can Peanut Butter Cookies be Frozen?

You can freeze the cookies before and after they are baked. Freezer-friendly cookies like Baklava and these peanut butter cookies are perfect for a make-ahead holiday cookie platter.

  • Cookie dough: Freeze shaped cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Bake frozen cookie for an additional 1-2 minutes.
  • Baked cookies: Once the cookies cool, transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze up to three months. Leave cookies out at room temperature to thaw and enjoy. Repeat in the microwave for a few seconds for warm cookies.

Make-Ahead Option:

This peanut butter cookie dough can be made up to three days in advance and refrigerated. Just shape and bake to enjoy.

Cookies stacked with a glass of milk on the side.

I hope these soft peanut butter cookies become a new favorite that you are and your kids will enjoy and make over and over again.

More Cookie Recipes to try:

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

4.96 from 122 votes
Author: Valentina Ablaev
Soft peanut butter cookies stacked
The easiest recipe for homemade peanut butter cookies. Soft and irresistibly delicious cookies with peanut butter flavor.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 24 cookies

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • With an electric hand mixer, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Add the peanut butter and egg and mix until combined.
  • In a separate bowl, add baking powder, baking soda, salt, and flour (sift flour once measured). Add to the peanut butter mixture, mix until combined.
  • Form dough into 1" balls. Place the balls about 3-inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten in a crisscross pattern using a fork.
  • Bake 8-9 minutes until cookies just start to turn golden at the base. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool 5 minutes then transfer on a wire rack.

Nutrition Per Serving

137kcal Calories15g Carbs3g Protein8g Fat3g Saturated Fat17mg Cholesterol88mg Sodium76mg Potassium1g Fiber9g Sugar128IU Vitamin A16mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Classic Peanut Butter Cookies
Amount per Serving
Calories
137
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
8
g
12
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Cholesterol
 
17
mg
6
%
Sodium
 
88
mg
4
%
Potassium
 
76
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
15
g
5
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
9
g
10
%
Protein
 
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
 
128
IU
3
%
Calcium
 
16
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: peanut butter cookies
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 137

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Valentina Ablaev

I am Valentina, the creator behind the food blog Valentina’s Corner where I share our family’s favorite recipes. When I am not in the kitchen, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and 5 children. We invite you to join us on our blogging journey!

Read more posts by Valentina

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Gilles Rochette
    March 11, 2024

    I guess I don’t have to worry about them lasting two days. Gone on day 1. I’ll have start hiding them I think. Nice soft flavourful cookies. Everyone loved them. Especially me!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 12, 2024

      Glad everyone loved the cookies!

      Reply

  • LaRhesa Ragan
    March 7, 2024

    The texture of the cookies is perfect. However, I thought the peanut butter flavor was vague.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 8, 2024

      Thank you for sharing that with me, LaRhesa. We believe we found the perfect balance with this recipe, to enhance the peanut butter flavor, I recommend using a high quality peanut butter or increasing the peanut butter amount to taste. I hope you give it another try soon.

      Reply

  • Janaya
    January 8, 2024

    These cookies are a hit every time I make them! Great recipe

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 8, 2024

      I’m so glad to hear that they’re always a huge hit!

      Reply

  • Sammy Bugajski
    December 21, 2023

    I made these for Christmas and most people I gave them to loved them! I’ll definitely save this recipe and use it again!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 21, 2023

      That’s wonderful, Sammy!

      Reply

  • julie
    December 18, 2023

    I haven’t made these yet but excited to this week. I noticed this recipe has baking soda and powder as most do not. Are these both important?
    Thank you

    Reply

    • Natasha
      December 19, 2023

      Hi Julie, I would always recommend trying the recipe as written. Baking soda is quite a bit stronger than baking powder but they each work a little differently to get the right texture and rise in the cookies.

      Reply

  • Lydia
    December 15, 2023

    Simple easy and delicious. Another perfect recipe! The only thing I did different was make them a little bigger because I wanted to be done, so they had to bake a little longer. My husband loves these.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 16, 2023

      So glad to hear that, Lydia!

      Reply

  • Karen A
    February 27, 2023

    I put now blackberry jam in the middle and baked a couple more minutes. yummy

    Reply

  • SHARON SAXTON
    February 24, 2023

    OVER THE TOP , BEST RECIPE I HAVE EVER TRIED. KEEP IT COMING.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 24, 2023

      That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Sharon!

      Reply

  • Kevin Bogdanow
    February 20, 2023

    Same results as the rest of your recipies I’ve tried. DELICIOUS! I had some left over Reese’s chips so I threw those in as well. Very tasty!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 20, 2023

      Thank you for your great comments and feedback, Kevin. Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Sherry
    January 13, 2023

    I love these cookies. I made them for my grandson. I hope there are some left when he gets home from school 🙂

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 13, 2023

      I’m so glad you love them! 🙂

      Reply

  • Rebecca Hasse
    December 10, 2022

    I made this today, and they turned out well! Mine took about 10-12 minutes at 350, but they might have been a bit thicker than yours. They were also super easy to prep. Half of them went into the freezer for my yearly Christmas cookie platter 🙂

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 10, 2022

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Rebecca!

      Reply

  • Donna
    November 26, 2022

    Hi Natasha, made 12 cookies with half ingredients of the recipe and replacing butter with 6 Tbsp of veggie oil, also added some chocolate chips. It’s easy recipe and cookies were so good. Does bake time need to be reduced for making half of the cookie size? Thanks.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 26, 2022

      Hi Donna, thank you for sharing! The baking time should be about the same but you may want to check a couple of minutes early to make sure.

      Reply

    • Geraldine Khan
      October 30, 2023

      Were the cookies dry with only 6 tbsps oil? I want to try the full recipe with double the oil?

      I cannot add chocolate chips.

      Reply

  • Lisa w.
    November 20, 2022

    Made these this morning for my family. These are the best peanut butter cookies I have ever tasted!! So delicious and filled with peanut butter flavor . Thank you for the fantastic recipe!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 20, 2022

      Aaaw, I’m so happy to see this review. Thank you so much!

      Reply

  • Rick Met
    September 23, 2022

    USe the metric system! How hard can it be?
    cup this 1/2 cup that…it’s 2022 not 1922, ffs!

    Reply

    • Elizabeth
      October 22, 2022

      No need to be rude, it’s easy to use a recipe converter yourself.
      Smfh

      Reply

    • Jill
      February 13, 2023

      My question is always this: How hard can it be to be nice? Rude comments add nothing to the benefit of all…

      Reply

    • Geraldine Khan
      October 30, 2023

      Not everyone is in Canada? Some people read this from the States. There really is no need for being this rude! Plus a lot of these recipes are from Grandma’s

      Reply

  • Douglas Prince
    September 20, 2022

    Could peanut butter chips be added to this recipe? If so how much?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      September 20, 2022

      Hi Douglas! I have not tested that to give instructions. I think it would be fine. You’ll have to experiment with it. One of my readers reported added chocolate chips successfully.

      Reply

  • Melanie
    September 15, 2022

    I found these cookies far too sweet for my taste and the peanut butter flavour doesn’t come through as much as i’d like. That said, I made the recipe exactly as written with no substitutions and the cookies turned out well with a great texture.

    I would give 3 stars for taste and 5 stars for the directions and ease of following the recipe.

    Reply

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