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Peanut butter cookies recipe is one of my very favorite cookies! These cookies have the perfect balance of sweet and salty taste and a melt in your mouth texture. These soft peanut butter cookies have the perfect amount of sweetness and buttery richness! Whether for dessert, snacks, or breakfast, this easy cookie recipe is a definite keeper.
Using a blend of brown and white sugars, these peanut butter cookies are tender and soft in the center and crisp on the outer edges. Butter is really a must-have ingredient, although if you prefer margarine, fine. The true butter flavor does come through, with the hint of caramel from the brown sugar.I always use natural peanut butter in this recipe, sometimes crunchy, sometimes smooth. We have made this cookie recipe hundreds of times with consistently tasty and incredible results!
Peanut Butter Cookies recipe is super easy to make! The dough takes about 10 minutes to make, then you can bake them right away or shape and freeze to bake whenever you want fresh, warm, peanut butter cookies right out of the oven. This recipe does make lots, so I usually freeze at least half of the cookies. This is also a must have cookie in my Christmas baking line up each year!
To freeze the cookies before baking
- Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Shape the cookies, and place them close together but not touching.
- Place the cookies in the freezer.
- After a few hours, put the frozen cookies into a sealed bag or container and keep frozen for whenever you want to bake them. They will keep this way for up to 4 months.
- When you want to bake the cookies, just place them on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake from frozen. Add 1-2 minutes of baking time.
History of Peanut Butter Cookies
The peanut butter cookie was invented in the early 1900s in America. George Washington Carver published a cookbook promoting peanuts. In his cookbook, there were several recipes for cookies, using chopped peanuts. Using peanut butter in cookies started about 20 years after this.
The earliest mention of ground peanuts being made into a paste was by the Ancient Incas. As far as peanut butter as we now know it, is concerned, it was invented in 1884 by a Canadian. It was a peanut paste made from milling roasted peanuts. For more fascinating info on the history of peanut butter read: History of Peanuts and Peanut Butter.
Fork Marks in Peanut Butter Cookies…
One big question is why do we put fork marks in peanut butter cookies. The actual reason is totally tradition. But, yet, I did a comparison to see what happens when you don’t put those famous trademark fork indentations on the cookies. Interestingly enough, the non-forked cookies kind of puffed up, but spread just as big as the forked ones. The taste is totally the same, with maybe the non-forked being a bit crunchier. I like my peanut butter cookies more chewy, so, I will stick with putting fork marks on my peanut butter cookies even though it really is just for tradition.
Why you will Love Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe!
- Simple to prepare, taking only 10 minutes!
- No need to chill the dough.
- Easy to find ingredients.
- Very popular and well-loved cookie.
- Scrumptious and addictive!
- Full of delicious peanut butter!
Ingredients
- Butter, I use salted, as usual…I really do prefer butter for this recipe.
- Brown sugar and white sugar, the blend of sugars gives the best texture and sweetness!
- Eggs
- Peanut butter, I do use the natural, and prefer chunky, but any kind will do.
- All pupose flour
- Baking Soda,
- Salt
How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
1.Cream butter and both sugars together well, until light and fluffy.
2.Beat in the eggs one at a time.
3.Add the peanut butter and mix well.
4.Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt.
5.Shape into small balls. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet, allowing room for expansion. Press with a fork.
These cookies are too close for baking, they are ready for freezing:-)
6.Bake at 375°F oven for 7-10 minutes. I use convection setting and it only takes 7 minutes.
Let sit on the baking sheet for about 5 mintues before removing to a wire cooling rack.
Other great Cookie Recipes for Christmas or any time of the year:
Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
These super simple and delicious peanut butter cookies take only 10 minutes to mix together. They are soft and chewy on the inside with a bit of a crunch on the outside. No need to chill the dough and yes you can use natural peanut butter for these tasty treats.
Ingredients
Instructions
How to Make Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Cream butter and both sugars together well, until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time.
Add the peanut butter and mix well.
Stir in the flour, baking soda and salt.
Shape into small balls. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet, allowing room for expansion. Press with a fork.
Bake at 375°F oven for 7-10 minutes. I use convection setting and it only takes 7 minutes.
Let sit on the baking sheet for about 5 mintues before removing to a wire cooling rack.
Serving Size 1 cookie
Servings 60
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 86kcal
- Calories from Fat 41kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 4.8g8%
- Sodium 96mg4%
- Potassium 41mg2%
- Total Carbohydrate 10g4%
- Protein 1.7g4%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
The cookies will look slightly underdone when you take them out of the oven. This is fine, as they will get firmer after a few minutes cooling time.
If you do use natural peanut butter, make sure it is well stirred.
Use butter, not margarine or other substitutions, for the best and richest flavor.
If the batter seems crumbly, just mix it longer:-)
The batter should be oily enough that your fork won't stick to it, but if it does, just dip the fork in flour or sugar before pressing into the dough.
