Hey there, fellow food lovers! Nyla here, ready to whisk you away on another flavor adventure. Today, we’re diving headfirst into the world of homemade soft peanut butter cookies. Picture this: a warm, gooey cookie, bursting with peanut butter flavor, practically melting in your mouth. This isn’t your average cookie; it’s a hug in every bite.
I stumbled upon this recipe during one of my late-night kitchen experiments (you know how I do!). It was one of those happy accidents that turned into a full-blown obsession. The aroma alone will have you hooked, trust me. One bite of these homemade soft peanut butter cookies, and you’ll be doing a happy dance.
These homemade soft peanut butter cookies turn any simple dessert into something truly special. Get ready to create some delicious magic! Join me as we whip up a batch of these homemade soft peanut butter cookies that will turn every moment into a sweet celebration!
INGREDIENTS You Need
This homemade soft peanut butter cookies ingredient list is all about bold flavors that actually work together! It’s a simple recipe to create chewy peanut butter cookies. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened: Make sure your butter is nice and soft for easy creaming.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: For that perfect touch of sweetness.
- 1 cup packed brown sugar: Brown sugar adds a chewy texture and rich molasses flavor.
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter: The star of the show! I prefer creamy, but you can use crunchy if you like a little texture.
- 2 large eggs: To bind everything together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A little vanilla goes a long way.
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The base of our cookies.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: For that perfect rise.
- ½ teaspoon salt: To balance the sweetness.
- Extra sugar for rolling: This adds a nice sparkle and extra sweetness to your cookies.
No worries if you don’t have vanilla extract – I sometimes use a splash of almond extract in my homemade soft peanut butter cookies for a fun twist. You can grab all these ingredients during your normal shopping trip. This homemade soft peanut butter cookies gets its amazing taste from the perfect balance of peanut butter, sugar, and a hint of vanilla.
Here’s my secret for these homemade soft peanut butter cookies: use high-quality peanut butter! It makes all the difference.
These simple ingredients are all you need to get started with this easy peanut butter cookie recipe, and it’s also important to properly store these ingredients so you’re ready when the baking mood hits! I store my flour in a cool dark place and always keep my sugars in an airtight container. For the peanut butter, I like to keep it in the pantry, but you can also refrigerate it if you prefer! I love adding extra peanut butter to my homemade soft peanut butter cookies for that extra kick, or chocolate chips for added sweetness and decadence.
Let’s Make Some!
This is my favorite part of making homemade soft peanut butter cookies – watch the magic happen! Follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying warm, gooey cookies in no time.
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze!
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer. The mixture should be pale and smooth.
- Add Peanut Butter and Vanilla: Beat in the peanut butter and vanilla extract until well combined. Make sure there are no lumps of peanut butter remaining!
- Incorporate Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The batter should be smooth and creamy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the baking soda is evenly distributed.
- Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Then, roll each ball in extra sugar. This gives the cookies a beautiful sparkle and extra sweetness.
- Create the Criss-Cross Pattern: Place the sugared cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets. Use a fork to flatten each cookie, pressing down in a criss-cross pattern.
- Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The centers will still be soft.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
While your homemade soft peanut butter cookies is doing its thing, get ready for some amazing aromas! In my kitchen, this homemade soft peanut butter cookies usually takes about 9 minutes to bake to perfection.
Don’t worry if your homemade soft peanut butter cookies looks slightly underbaked when you take them out of the oven; they’ll continue to cook as they cool. This is where the magic starts happening! If you love peanut butter flavors, another recipe you might want to check out is this recipe for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cookies.
This is the heart of creating homemade soft peanut butter cookies. For more easy recipes like these, check out this recipe for Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Earthquake Cake. Enjoy the process and trust your instincts!
How to Serve Up This!
People literally do happy dances when this homemade soft peanut butter cookies hits the table with a glass of cold milk! Here are some fun serving suggestions to make these cookies even more irresistible.
- Classic Combo: Serve warm with a glass of cold milk. This is the ultimate comfort food pairing!
- Ice Cream Sandwich: Sandwich a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a decadent treat.
- Peanut Butter Blossoms Variation: Press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie immediately after baking. These easy peanut butter cookies become peanut butter blossoms! Just be sure to research why peanut butter blossoms spread during baking!
- Coffee Companion: Enjoy with a cup of hot coffee or tea for a cozy afternoon treat.
- Gift Giving: Package these cookies in a cute box or tin to give as a thoughtful gift.
- Party Platter: Add them to a dessert platter for parties and gatherings.
- Fusion Twist: Drizzle with melted chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt for a sweet and salty flavor combination.
These homemade soft peanut butter cookies are perfect for those weeknight dinners that need to be special! I love serving these at game nights with friends. Everyone always raves about how soft and flavorful they are. You can even crumble them over ice cream for an extra special dessert. If you’re loving this comfort food twist, you’ll go crazy for this recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie!
For presentation, arrange the cookies on a pretty plate and dust with powdered sugar for an elegant touch. This homemade soft peanut butter cookies also pairs well with fresh fruit, like strawberries or raspberries.
FAQs:
Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are some common questions about making homemade soft peanut butter cookies.
Q: Will kitchen newbies succeed with this homemade soft peanut butter cookies?
A: Absolutely! This recipe is super straightforward and easy to follow. Even if you’ve never baked cookies before, you’ll be able to whip up a batch of these delicious treats.
Q: Can I use natural peanut butter?
A: Natural peanut butter can be used, but it might affect the texture of the cookies. Natural peanut butter tends to be oilier, so your cookies might spread more. If you use natural peanut butter, make sure to stir it well before measuring.
Q: What if I mess up my homemade soft peanut butter cookies? (Spoiler: it’ll still taste incredible!)
A: Don’t worry! Even if your cookies don’t look perfect, they’ll still taste amazing. Baking is all about experimenting and having fun. A slightly misshapen cookie is still a delicious cookie!
Q: How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A: You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Make sure to choose a blend that contains xanthan gum for the best texture. You can see what others are saying in this facebook group discussing who makes the best gluten free peanut butter cookies!
Q: Can I freeze the cookie dough?
A: Yes! Roll the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, just bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Q: How do I store these cookies?
A: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
Q: Why are my cookies spreading too much?
A: This could be due to a few factors: too much butter, not enough flour, or the oven temperature being too low. Make sure to measure your ingredients accurately and check your oven temperature with an oven thermometer. One simple option is to try a 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe by The Kitchn!
Q: How can I prep this homemade soft peanut butter cookies for busy weeknights?
A: You can make the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just bring it to room temperature slightly before rolling and baking. This homemade soft peanut butter cookies taste testing result was incredible! I was shocked to see how well the dough held up and how easily it was to prep.
CONCLUSION:
These homemade soft peanut butter cookies bring me so much joy because they’re a simple pleasure that everyone loves. There’s something magical about the combination of peanut butter and sugar that just makes people smile.
My homemade soft peanut butter cookies Flavor Secrets:
- Use high-quality peanut butter: It makes a huge difference in the flavor.
- Don’t overbake: These cookies are best when they’re soft and chewy.
- Add a pinch of sea salt: It enhances the sweetness and peanut butter flavor.
Here are some delicious homemade soft peanut butter cookies variations I’ve tested:
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies: Add ½ cup of chocolate chips to the dough.
- Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies: Add ½ cup of rolled oats to the dough for a chewier texture.
- Peanut Butter Cup Cookies: Press a mini peanut butter cup into the center of each cookie after baking.
For game nights, I always make the chocolate chip version. For a cozy afternoon treat, I love the oatmeal version. And for special occasions, the peanut butter cup cookies are a guaranteed hit.
Trust your taste buds and get creative! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and ingredients. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process. I’m so excited for you to try this homemade soft peanut butter cookies recipe. Happy baking!
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homemade soft peanut butter cookies
These homemade soft peanut butter cookies are melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Easy to make and perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Granulated sugar, for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and peanut butter.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and then roll in granulated sugar.
- Place the cookies on ungreased baking sheets.
- Flatten each cookie slightly with a fork, making a crisscross pattern.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
For an extra peanut butter flavor, drizzle melted peanut butter over the cooled cookies.