Classic Peanut Butter Cookies.

These classic peanut butter cookies are always a hit. Easy to make, easier to eat! They’re absolutely our favorite.

Peanut butter lovers rejoice! This cookie is for you.

I’ve been feeling a little nostalgic in the kitchen lately. Making recipes that remind me of home, my childhood, just being a fun kid. This recipe follows that trend. I can’t remember a holiday without classic peanut butter cookies.

A plate fulla peanut buttery goodness.

I made a huge batch of these classic cookies for this weekend. It was my bachelorette party! About 15 friends, sisters, and future sisters-in-law came over before we went out to dinner and bar hopped and danced all night. The BEST time I’ve had in a long time. After moving and during all this wedding stress, it was much needed.

(The bachelorette and the plate of cookies, of course.)

These peanut butter cookies will melt in your mouth. The edges are chewy, the centers are soft, the tops are crinkly. It is nearly impossible to stop at one. I served hummus & pita chips, a cheese plate, and sangria… and these cookies were the first to go.

I think all dinners should start with a peanut butter cookie appetizer.

It’s a super basic recipe. No frills, nothing fancy. No candy bar pieces, gooey caramel, chocolate chips, or sprinkles to take away from the massive peanut butter flavor. Trust me, you won’t miss any of that stuff! Just pure peanut butter.

The cookies are soft-baked style, unlike traditional crunchy peanut butter cookies. Feel free to bake the batches a minute or two longer to obtain a little crunch. But the softness is what makes them ooooh so good. AND guess what? They stay soft for days and days. I made this batch on Wednesday and the few I have leftover are still just as soft as they were on day 1. Soft cookies > crunchy cookies.

The most important part? Chill your cookie dough! The dough is extremely soft due to the creamy peanut butter, eggs, and butter and if it’s not cold going into the oven, the cookies will spread all over your baking sheet. I chilled this cookie dough for 24 hours and my cookies were soft, thick perfection. I recommend chilling the dough for at least 3 hours.

And yes, the wait is so, so, so worth it.

The classic criss cross pattern imprinted on top may just by my favorite part. I don’t think I could enjoy a peanut butter cookie without it. Ha! Who am I kidding? But the pattern definitely adds to their simple irresistible charm. =)

Follow me on Instagram and tag #sallysbakingaddiction so I can see all the SBA recipes you make. ♥

Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

Yield: 30 cookies

Total Time: 3 hours, 30 minutes

These classic peanut butter cookies are always a hit. Easy to make, easier to eat! They're absolutely our favorite.

Print Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature¹
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup (150g) packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature preferred
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup (250g) creamy peanut butter²
• 3 cups + 2 Tablespoons (391g) all-purpose flour (measured correctly)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup (67g) granulated sugar, for rolling (optional)

Directions:

1. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream the softened butter and both sugars together on medium speed until smooth. Add the eggs and mix on high until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla and peanut butter and mix on high until combined. Set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, toss the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together. Add to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined. Dough will be thick, yet very sticky. Cover dough tightly and chill for at least 3 hours (and up to 2 days) in the refrigerator.
3. Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
4. Roll balls of dough (about 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie) and roll into granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Press fork into the tops to create the criss-cross pattern. Bake for 11 minutes or until very lightly browned on the sides. The centers will look very soft and undone. Remove from the oven and let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. The cookies will continue to "set" on the baking sheet during this time.
5. Make ahead tip: Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 1 week. You can make the cookie dough and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Allow to come to room temperature and continue with step 3. Baked cookies freeze well - up to three months. Unbaked cookie dough balls freeze well - up to three months. Bake frozen cookie dough balls for an extra minute, no need to thaw.

Recipe Notes:

1. Make sure your butter is softened, not melted in the slightest. Do not soften in the microwave - that makes it sort of melty and greasy. Place out 1 hour before beginning. Room temperature eggs are preferred. Good rule of thumb: always use room temperature eggs when using room temperature butter.
2. Chunky peanut butter works as well. I do not suggest using natural style, oily peanut butter. Brands such as Jif or Skippy work best.

Did you make a recipe?

Tag @sallysbakeblog on Instagram and hashtag it #sallysbakingaddiction.

A few more peanut butter faves.

Banana Cupcakes with Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Frosting

Peanut Butter Cup Pretzel Cheesecake Bars

Chocolate Peanut Butter Lovers Granola

4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge