Description
Rich, nutty, and perfectly soft, these chewy peanut butter cookies are the ultimate comfort treat. With their iconic crisscross design and melt-in-your-mouth texture, they’re ideal for family bonding, gifting, or just treating yourself to a cozy dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (substitute salted butter if needed)
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup granulated sugar (reserve 2 tablespoons for topping)
- 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt (optional, skip if using salted butter)
- 1 cup roasted salted peanuts, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients:
- Soften the butter, chop the roasted peanuts, and measure out all ingredients for efficiency.
- Cream Butter and Sugars:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using a hand or stand mixer. Mix for about 4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients:
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Fold in the peanut butter and mix until smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt (if using).
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a dough forms.
- Add Peanuts and Chill Dough:
- Fold in the finely chopped roasted peanuts.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight) to enhance flavor and prevent spreading.
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Shape Cookies:
- Roll the chilled dough into 2-inch balls.
- Roll each ball in the reserved 2 tablespoons of sugar for a light coating.
- Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between them.
- Create Crisscross Design:
- Using a fork, gently press down on each ball twice to form the classic crisscross pattern.
- Bake:
- Bake for 10–13 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft.
- Cool and Enjoy:
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Serve warm or store in an airtight container.
Notes
- Chill the Dough: Ensures cookies don’t spread too much while baking.
- Use High-Quality Peanut Butter: For richer, more authentic flavor.
- Don’t Overbake: Bake until edges are just golden for soft, chewy centers.
- Customize: Add chocolate chips or drizzle melted chocolate for variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American