Soft Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

Soft peanut butter cookies are a timeless classic that are beloved for their tender texture, rich peanut butter flavor, and melt-in-your-mouth softness. Whether you're baking for a family gathering, gifting homemade treats, or just craving something sweet, these cookies will hit the spot. Made with simple ingredients, this recipe is perfect for anyone looking to bake soft and chewy peanut butter cookies. Read on for step-by-step instructions, tips for perfecting the recipe, and variations to suit your preferences.

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What Are Soft Peanut Butter Cookies?

Soft peanut butter cookies are a variation of the classic peanut butter cookie but with a chewier, more tender texture. Unlike traditional crispy peanut butter cookies, these are soft and slightly under-baked to achieve that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth quality. These cookies are often crisscrossed with a fork to create the signature pattern and can be customized with chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even a sprinkle of sea salt.

Ingredients List for Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Here’s everything you’ll need to make a batch of these delicious, soft peanut butter cookies:

For the Cookies:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Optional Add-ins:

• ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
• ½ cup peanut butter chips (optional)
• Sea salt flakes for sprinkling (optional)

These ingredients will yield a perfectly soft, chewy peanut butter cookie with a rich and buttery flavor.

Substitutions and Variations

If you want to switch up the recipe or accommodate dietary preferences, here are some easy substitutions and variations:

• Crunchy Peanut Butter: For extra texture, you can use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
• Dairy-Free: Replace the butter with plant-based butter or a dairy-free alternative like coconut oil.
• Natural Peanut Butter: If you prefer to use natural peanut butter, be sure to stir it thoroughly before using. The texture of the cookies may be a bit denser but still delicious.
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies: Fold in ½ cup of chocolate chips or peanut butter chips for an extra layer of flavor.
• Peanut Butter Blossoms: Press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie right after they come out of the oven for a classic peanut butter blossom variation.

These substitutions allow you to tailor the recipe to your preferences while still maintaining the softness and richness of the original cookie.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s bake! Follow these steps for perfect soft peanut butter cookies.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Baking Sheets

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

Step 2: Cream the Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the softened butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes on medium speed.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla Extract

Add the egg and vanilla extract to the peanut butter mixture, beating until fully combined and smooth.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.

Step 5: Form the Cookie Dough Balls

Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, form the dough into 1 to 1½-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.

Step 6: Flatten and Create the Fork Pattern

Using a fork, gently press down on each dough ball to flatten it slightly and create a crisscross pattern on the top of each cookie.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just set but the centers still look slightly underdone. Do not overbake, as this will make the cookies less soft.

Step 8: Cool the Cookies

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time helps the cookies set while keeping them soft and chewy.

How to Bake Soft Peanut Butter Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s a simplified guide to making soft peanut butter cookies:

1. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare your baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: Beat together the butter, peanut butter, and sugars until light and fluffy.
3. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Combine dry ingredients, then add them to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
4. Form Cookie Dough Balls: Roll the dough into balls and place them on the baking sheets.
5. Create Fork Pattern: Press each dough ball with a fork to create the crisscross pattern.
6. Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
7. Cool: Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few common mistakes to watch out for when making peanut butter cookies and how to avoid them:

• Overmixing the Dough: Overmixing can result in dense or tough cookies. Mix the dough just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
• Overbaking: Soft peanut butter cookies should be slightly underbaked in the center when you remove them from the oven. They will continue to set as they cool. If you bake them too long, they’ll lose their softness.
• Using Natural Peanut Butter without Stirring: If you’re using natural peanut butter, make sure to stir it thoroughly before adding it to the dough. The oil and peanut solids can separate, which may affect the texture of your cookies.
• Skipping the Crisscross Pattern: Pressing the fork into the dough is not just decorative but also helps the cookies bake evenly. Don’t skip this step!

Serving and Presentation Tips

Soft peanut butter cookies are a simple yet delicious treat, but there are plenty of ways to present them beautifully. Here’s how you can serve and decorate them for special occasions:

How to Serve Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Serve these cookies with a glass of cold milk, a cup of coffee, or a warm mug of hot chocolate. These cookies are perfect for an afternoon snack or dessert and can be enjoyed plain or with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream on the side.

Presentation Ideas for Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

• Drizzle with Chocolate: For a more decadent presentation, drizzle melted chocolate over the tops of the cookies after they have cooled.
• Sprinkle with Sea Salt: For a gourmet touch, sprinkle a tiny bit of flaky sea salt on top of the cookies as soon as they come out of the oven.
• Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies: Spread a layer of peanut butter (or even Nutella) between two cookies to make peanut butter sandwich cookies.
• Holiday Decor: For festive occasions, press colored sprinkles or mini M&Ms into the tops of the cookies before baking.

Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe Tips

Here are some final tips to ensure your cookies turn out soft, chewy, and delicious:

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother dough.
• Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps the cookies firm up without losing their soft texture.
• Storage: Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to keep them soft. You can also freeze the dough balls for up to 3 months and bake them fresh whenever you’re craving a batch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I freeze peanut butter cookie dough?

Yes! You can freeze the cookie dough by forming the dough into balls and placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

2. Why are my peanut butter cookies hard?

If your cookies turn out hard, it could be because they were overbaked. Make sure to remove the cookies from the oven when they are still slightly underbaked in the center to ensure softness. Also, overmixing the dough can lead to tougher cookies.

3. How long do soft peanut butter cookies stay fresh?

These cookies stay fresh for about 4-5 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. To keep them extra soft, place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies—the bread will help maintain moisture.

4. Can I use chunky peanut butter?

Yes, you can substitute creamy peanut butter with chunky peanut butter for added texture and crunch in the cookies. Just keep in mind that chunky peanut butter will slightly change the texture of the final product.

5. Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While butter gives the best flavor and texture, you can use margarine in a pinch. However, the cookies may not be as rich in flavor, and the texture might be a bit different.

Conclusion

Soft peanut butter cookies are a timeless treat that are perfect for any occasion. Whether you enjoy them plain, with a drizzle of chocolate, or paired with a scoop of ice cream, these cookies are sure to please. With the simple step-by-step instructions and helpful tips provided, you’ll be able to bake up a batch of delicious, melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter cookies that everyone will love. So, grab your ingredients, preheat the oven, and start baking these classic cookies today! Happy baking!

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