Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

I have perfected my Classic Peanut Butter Cookies recipe over time. I mix creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, a fresh egg, vanilla extract, baking soda and a pinch of sea salt to create soft, chewy cookies in only 30 minutes. The blend of rich flavors has me excited to share this delightful treat with you.

I recently experimented with a batch of Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies and I gotta say, they completely surprised me. I mixed together 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1 large egg, then stirred in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, a pinch of sea salt plus a tiny bit more for sprinkling, and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda to get a dough that felt like a cross between some classic peanut butter cookie recipe and a twist on those famous Reese’s treats.

The texture came out soft and chewy, kind of like those peanut butter recipes that promise moist, yet perfectly balanced cookies. I remember when i first tried it, i was thinking this was nothing like your usual basic peanut butter cookie recipe; it had a cool, unexpected depth.

I hope you give these cookies a try and discover a whole new side to your baking adventures. Enjoy and experiment a little!

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because first, it’s super simple and quick to whip up, which means I don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen. Second, the flavor is perfect – the creamy peanut butter mixed with the crunchy sea salt gives it such a cool and unique taste that I just can’t resist. Third, I love that the cookies come out soft and chewy; they have that ideal texture that makes every bite feel special. And lastly, even though it only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, it always feels like a little homemade treat that brightens up my day.

Ingredients

• Peanut Butter: Offers wonderfully creamy texture, healthy fats, and a rich protein boost for lasting energy.
• Sugar: Provides natural sweetness and helps cookies develop a lovely, crisp, caramelized exterior.
• Egg: Binds ingredients effectively, contributing moisture and protein that ensures a consistently smooth texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Intensifies overall flavor by adding warm, sweet, aromatic notes that blend exquisitely.
• Baking Soda: Lightens cookies effectively, ensuring they rise evenly to create a tender, delightful crumb.
• Sea Salt: Enhances flavor by balancing sweetness and adding a slight savory punch in every bite.
• Overall: Ingredients blend to deliver balanced sweetness, delightful crunch, and a charming nutty finish.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• A pinch of sea salt (plus extra for sprinkling)

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, mix 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 large egg, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.

3. Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda and a pinch of sea salt to the bowl, stirring until everything is evenly combined.

4. Scoop the dough using a tablespoon, forming balls roughly the same size, and place them on the baking sheet.

5. Gently press down on each ball with a fork to create a crisscross pattern – this also helps the cookies flatten out evenly.

6. Lightly sprinkle extra sea salt on top of each cookie for that added flavor kick.

7. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.

8. Once baked, take the cookies out and let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

9. Enjoy them warm or after they have cooled completely – they’re soft and chewy perfection!

10. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep their great taste fresh.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven (preheated to 350°F)
2. Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
3. Medium mixing bowl
4. Measuring cups and spoons
5. Mixing spoon or whisk
6. Tablespoon for scooping the dough
7. Fork for pressing the crisscross pattern
8. Cooling rack
9. Airtight container for leftovers

FAQ

Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you don’t have creamy peanut butter, you can substitute it with chunky peanut butter or even almond butter; it might change the texture a bit though.
• If you’re out of granulated sugar, try using light brown sugar instead – just keep in mind it will add a bit more moisture and a hint of molasses flavor.
• Don’t have a large egg? Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken; it’s a solid replacement in a pinch.
• For vanilla extract, you can use almond extract as an alternative; use about half the amount since its flavor is stronger.
• If you run out of baking soda, you can use baking powder instead; just use about 3 times as much baking powder compared to baking soda to help the cookies rise properly.

Pro Tips

1) If your dough feels kinda sticky, try poppin it in the fridge for 20 minutes before scooping, it helps making each cookie more even and easier to shape with the fork.
2) Keep an extra pinch of sea salt ready, sprinklin it on right after you press the fork for that extra flavor pop that really makes a difference.
3) Watch your cookies closely during baking – ovens run different and you dont want them to overbake, or you’ll lose that soft and chewy texture.
4) Feel free to mix things up by tossing in some mini chocolate chips or chopped peanuts, it gives the cookies a fun crunchy twist!