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Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

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:

Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

4.97 from 126 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
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

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

4.97 from 126 votes (84 ratings without comment)

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  • amal tawfeelis
    August 30, 2022

    hi , i am on a keto diet, can I use almond flour, instead of the all purpose flour. Thank you

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 30, 2022

      Thank you so much for sharing that with me!

      Reply

  • Jim
    August 2, 2022

    Can you use crunchy peanut butter in the cookie recipe instead of creamy

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 2, 2022

      Hi Jim, I have not tried this recipe with crunchy peanut butter to advise on the outcome, so I can’t speak to that. Substitutions may hinder the recipe outcome. I always suggest making a recipe as written the first time around.

      Reply

  • CJ
    July 8, 2022

    First I would like to thank you for sharing such a great recipe.
    That being said I am surprised that there wasn’t any vanilla in this recipe.
    That I added 1 to 2 teaspoons.
    The flavor was there. It was just in my opinion what is any cookie recipe chocolate chip or peanut butter without vanilla in them.
    I will definitely be using this recipe again, and be adding vanilla to them.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      July 8, 2022

      So glad you enjoyed this recipe, CJ. Thank you for the feedback.

      Reply

  • M. Santos
    May 2, 2022

    Can Teddy’s All Natural Peanut Butter be used in this recipe? Some recipes do not turn out well if I use this type of peanut butter. Keep those recipes coming. My family and I have enjoyed many of them.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      May 2, 2022

      Thank you! I’m glad you enjoy my recipes. I am not familiar with this peanut butter to advise, I think it could work but may notice a slight change in how they come out. You’d have to experiment with it.

      Reply

  • Doug
    March 29, 2022

    Could almond butter be used in place of the peanut butter? Will try the recipe as written and wil comment later.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 29, 2022

      Hi Doug, I haven’t tested that to advise. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe.

      Reply

  • Dorie
    March 17, 2022

    Can I make these a night ahead and put dough in fridge overnight and bake in the am…thankyou

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 17, 2022

      Hello Dorie, this peanut butter cookie dough can be made up to three days in advance and refrigerated. Just shape and bake to enjoy. You may also review and go back to the recipe for the make ahead tips.

      Reply

  • Isabela
    February 24, 2022

    Everyone I know loves these! I often get a whole lot of orders for specifically this recipe! Thank you!!!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 24, 2022

      Wow, great to hear that! Congrats and keep it up.

      Reply

  • Emily
    February 2, 2022

    Great recipe! I added chocolate chips to one of the batches. They turned out beautifully both ways!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 2, 2022

      Yum! I bet that made them even better! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!

      Reply

  • Kim Clower
    January 25, 2022

    The peanut butter cookies came out perfect !!!! I love this recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 25, 2022

      Great to hear, Kim! Good to know that you love this recipe.

      Reply

  • Mellnee Tanner
    December 26, 2021

    PB cookies now Oatmeal next. Love the site and recipe access. Thank you

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 26, 2021

      Sounds good, enjoy!

      Reply

  • Julia
    November 30, 2021

    sometimes I use chunky PB in my cookies, they taste great.
    Do you think it would be ok to use it in these cookies, and can you put a candy kiss on this cookie if you don’t flatten the cookie before its baked

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 1, 2021

      Hello Julia, I think it will be okay but the texture might come out different. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.

      Reply

    • Eileen
      February 6, 2022

      Hi Julia, I used this recipe at Christmas and did not flatten them. When they came out of the oven, I pressed a Kiss in the center. They looked good and tasted good.

      Reply

  • Silvie
    August 16, 2021

    Lovely cookies, easy recipe, husband loves those.
    Thank you so much!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      August 16, 2021

      That’s great to hear, Silvie. Thank you for your review!

      Reply

  • Abbie N.
    June 4, 2021

    Wonderful cookies and so easy! Perfect flavor and texture. We all loved them. I got 3 dozen.
    I added mini chocolate chips to 6 cookies – full size chips would be a bit large for these. This is my new PB cookie recipe.. Thanks Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 4, 2021

      You’re very welcome. Abbie! I’m glad you loved these peanut butter cookies.

      Reply

  • Debbie
    May 3, 2021

    my hubby asked for peanut butter cookies, and Natashas Kitchen is my go to for the best recipes.
    they turned out great!!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 3, 2021

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

      Reply

  • Rebecca Pope
    May 2, 2021

    I have reviewed your peanut butter cookies before & raved how delicious, easy, & soft they are. I recently bought some mini cookie cutters & wanted to make some sandwich cookies .. badly! So I took this recipe punched a star shape in the middle then added some strawberry jam. Then voilà, peanut butter & jam “sammiches”. They’re fantastic! Thank you again Natasha for your inspiration 😀

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 3, 2021

      That sounds beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Lori
    April 9, 2021

    Hi Natasha,
    I love your recipes. My question is I didn’t use unsalted butter I used Crisco butter and my cookies were crumblely.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 9, 2021

      Hi Lori, I recommend making the recipe as written without substitutions, which this may have caused the texture issue.

      Reply

  • Nancy
    April 9, 2021

    Has anyone tried making these using Gluten Free All Purpose Flour?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 9, 2021

      Hi Nancy, I haven’t tried that, and I searched through the comments section and couldn’t find anyone trying a substitution. If any of our awesome readers have tried this, please share in the comments section.

      Reply

  • Evelyn Pearson-Ray
    March 28, 2021

    Great recipe! After reading the reviews I added some chocolate chips to half of the batter. Since I used salted butter I used less salt. I made did for my 23 year granddaughter. Her response was a yum yum dance!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 29, 2021

      Nice, I’m glad to hear that you and your family enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for sharing that with us, Evelyn!

      Reply

  • Anastasia DeLuca
    March 25, 2021

    My family can’t live through the week without your peanut butter cookies!!!! We make them every week!!!! LOVE them absolutely and forever. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 25, 2021

      I’m so happy you enjoyed that, Anastasia!

      Reply

  • Lauren
    March 22, 2021

    Added about 4 oz of chocolate chips and 1 tsp of vanilla – delicious! Will make again!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 22, 2021

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

      Reply

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