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.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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:

Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

4.96 from 128 votes
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
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

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

4.96 from 128 votes (84 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Terry Brady
    March 18, 2021

    Hello
    My grandson is coming over this weekend and I decided to make pb cookies. Google the recipe and decided to try yours. Easy to make, all ingredients in the pantry. Came out delish and beautiful. Thank you. Five Stars!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 18, 2021

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Janet
    March 12, 2021

    I just made these for the PB lover in my life! I subbed in 1/3 cup whole wheat flour & added some chocolate chips just because. Very good flavour! Next batch I will add 1 cup PB. I baked some longer for a crispier cookie which also taste great!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 12, 2021

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Deb
    March 6, 2021

    I have tried many peanut butter cookie recipes. This one is definitely the best! I’m a big foodie, find all your recipes great! So glad I found you!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 6, 2021

      That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Elliot
    February 27, 2021

    It was a little salty but to be far I put to much salt.please put how much to add for the ingredients .
    I had fun making this recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 1, 2021

      Hi Elliot, just use ¼ tsp salt and make sure that you will be using unsalted butter

      Reply

  • Rose
    February 27, 2021

    I made the chocolate chip cookies a few days ago, they were delicious. I just finished making dough for the peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies to bake and bless my nephew/godson tomorrow. Thank you for your recipes, I enjoy your videos you are a delight to watch.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 27, 2021

      You’re welcome, Rose! I’m so glad you’re enjoying our recipes.

      Reply

  • Anna
    February 13, 2021

    Do you I could stick some chocolate bits inside the cookie before baking , for a filling ? Or will it ruin the bake of the cookie ?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 13, 2021

      Hi Anna, I haven’t tried this with chocolate bits, but I imagine that may work. One of our readers mentioned adding chocolate chips successfully.

      Reply

  • London
    February 13, 2021

    LOVE this cookie it so good and its easy to make

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 13, 2021

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  • Kim Wilson
    February 4, 2021

    By far, the best peanut butter cookie I have ever tasted. I added a little vanilla extract to my batter (scant tsp.) and it worked well. Thank for sharing your recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 5, 2021

      That’s so awesome, Kim. You are very welcome! Thanks for giving this recipe an awesome feedback.

      Reply

  • Daniella
    January 30, 2021

    This is a HUGE hit with my boyfriend and his kids. They are PB freaks!! They were fighting over them LOL

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 30, 2021

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

      Reply

  • Nancy S
    January 25, 2021

    This is sooooo good ……!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 25, 2021

      I’m so glad you enjoyed that, Nancy!

      Reply

  • Jean
    January 15, 2021

    OMG! These cookies were delicious!! Crunchy on the edges and soft in the middle and just sweet enough!! Yummmm!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 15, 2021

      I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for that wonderful review, Jean!

      Reply

  • Kelly Pelicaric
    December 19, 2020

    Not sure why I never tried to make homemade pb cookies, but this recipe was so easy and sooooo good!!! I haven’t tried a recipe off your blog that we haven’t liked!!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 19, 2020

      Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m all smiles

      Reply

  • Jessica McDrenin
    December 17, 2020

    These turned out very well but the peanut butter needs to be measured with a 1/3 cup but it is listed before the flour which also needs to be measured with a 1/3 cup, and it would have been a pain to wash peanut butter out of my measuring cup… other than that easy recipe, normal ingredients, good cookies overall

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 17, 2020

      Thanks for your feedback and input, Jessica. We appreciate it and I’m glad you liked these cookies.

      Reply

    • Janet
      March 12, 2021

      Hi Jessica, No matter what I’m baking, I prep my bowl of ‘flour and/or dry ingredients’ ready to whisk 1st; then I measure out any sugars which usually are combined with fats and/or eggs with a hand or stand mixer; then I measure any wet ingredients like milks, sour cream, PB or cream cheese and put those in separate small bowls ready to add-in at various steps or the end of a recipe. Hope this tip helps!

      Reply

  • Zoie Penick
    December 16, 2020

    Hi Natasha! My sister and I made your peanut butter cookies today. They were good! My family loved them so much! We’ve been using a lot of recipes by you. We know your recipes are good. Thank you again for sharing this recipe 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 16, 2020

      Hello Zoie, that is wonderful! I’m happy to know that your family enjoyed these peanut butter cookies.

      Reply

  • Dan
    December 10, 2020

    I’m not a baker by any means, but I thought I would help my wife out this year and tried my hand at making these cookies. I couldn’t believe how easy it was and the cookies came out great. My wife even liked them better than the ones she normally makes. Thank you so much.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 10, 2020

      Great job and that is so sweet of you! I hope that you will both love every recipe that you will try.

      Reply

  • Lydia
    December 7, 2020

    I just made peanut butter cookies last weekend. They are so easy to make and super delicious! Definitely a must-have dessert for the holidays. I will make them again for Christmas. Thank you Natasha! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 7, 2020

      You’re welcome, Lydia!

      Reply

  • ani
    December 7, 2020

    this is super awesome

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 7, 2020

      Thank you! I hope you try this recipe soon!

      Reply

  • Norma
    December 3, 2020

    I made these peanut butter cookies today and they came out delicious. Thank you for the receipt.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 4, 2020

      You’re most welcome, Norma. I’m glad you enjoyed these cookies!

      Reply

  • Meg
    December 2, 2020

    Any high elevation edits you’d suggest?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 2, 2020

      Hello Meg, I haven’t tried that yet to advise but these tips can help.

      Reply

  • Simone
    November 30, 2020

    Hi Natasha,
    Can I replace the brown sugar with white granulated sugar? I don’t have brown sugar on hand.

    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      November 30, 2020

      I haven’t tried using just white granulated sugar to advise how it would work.

      Reply

    • Jeannie
      December 20, 2020

      Molasses and white sugar make brown sugar just mix some up

      Reply

As Featured On

Never Go "Hangry" Again!

Get weekly updates on new recipes, exclusive giveaways plus behind the scenes photos.