How to Make Classic Peanut Butter Cookies: A Simple Guide
Peanut butter cookies are a timeless treat loved by people of all ages. They’re sweet, nutty, and buttery—the perfect snack for just about any occasion. Luckily, they are simple to make, even if you’re not an experienced baker! In this blog post, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step process to create soft, chewy, and delicious classic peanut butter cookies using everyday ingredients. Let’s get started!
Ingredients You’ll Need
First, gather your ingredients. You’ll only need a few basic items, which you probably already have in your kitchen:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter (softened at room temperature)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional: You can add extras like chocolate chips or a pinch of cinnamon if you want to put a fun twist on your cookies!
Step 1: Prepare Your Tools
Before you begin baking, gather all your tools:
- Mixing bowls (one large and one medium)
- A hand mixer or stand mixer (though you can mix by hand if you don’t have one)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A spatula or wooden spoon
- A baking sheet
- Parchment paper or cooking spray
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is ready to bake as soon as your cookies are shaped and ready.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Start by grabbing your large mixing bowl. Add the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar to the bowl. Use a mixer to beat them together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This process helps give your cookies a fluffy texture.
Next, add the peanut butter and mix it well with the butter-sugar mixture. After that, crack in the egg. Beat it again until everything is fully combined and creamy. These wet ingredients are the base for your cookie dough.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix them together using a spoon or whisk. This helps evenly distribute the leavening agents (baking powder and baking soda), ensuring your cookies bake properly.
Step 4: Make the Dough
Now it’s time to bring the wet and dry ingredients together! Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, a little at a time. Use your mixer on low speed or stir with a spatula until the dough comes together. Be careful not to over-mix—you want the dough to be just combined for the best texture.
If the dough feels sticky and hard to shape, you can chill it in the refrigerator for about 15–30 minutes to make it easier to work with.
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly spray it with cooking oil. Scoop small portions of dough (about 1 tablespoon each) and roll them into balls using your hands. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each one.
Here’s a fun step that makes peanut butter cookies unique: Use the back of a fork to press gently on each cookie ball, creating a crisscross pattern. This helps flatten the cookies slightly and gives them a classic, recognizable look.
Step 6: Bake the Cookies
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes. Keep an eye on them—they should turn lightly golden around the edges but still look slightly soft in the center. Don’t worry if they feel undercooked when you take them out; they’ll firm up as they cool.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy!
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on it for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack or a plate to finish cooling completely. This step helps the cookies set and ensures they won’t break when you pick them up.
Once cooled, it’s time to dig in! Grab a glass of milk or a cup of coffee and enjoy your homemade peanut butter cookies.
Tips for Success
- Use softened butter: Soft butter blends more easily with the sugar and helps create a smooth texture.
- Room temperature egg: A cold egg can cause the butter mixture to harden, so make sure your egg is room temperature.
- Don’t overbake: Peanut butter cookies can go from soft and chewy to hard and crunchy very quickly, so keep an eye on the oven!
- Store properly: Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to ensure they stay fresh for several days.
Final Thoughts
Classic peanut butter cookies are a simple but satisfying dessert that you can make with minimal effort. Whether you’re baking them for your family, friends, or just yourself, they’re sure to bring smiles all around. Plus, once you master the basics, you can experiment by adding fun ingredients like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even a drizzle of caramel.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your peanut butter and start baking! Happy cookie-making! 🍪
