Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

This soft peanut butter cookies recipe is a perfect blend of sweet and savory, promising a delightful treat for your taste buds. With a hint of chocolate, these cookies are bound to be a hit among your loved ones and will leave you craving for more.

Photos of Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Most ingredients for this recipe are probably already in your pantry. However, if you're missing something like light brown sugar or semi-sweet chocolate chips, they can be easily found at your local supermarket. If you prefer a smoother texture, make sure to pick creamy peanut butter over the crunchy variant.

Ingredients for Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Unsalted butter: Adds a rich and creamy base to your cookies. It's unsalted to control the sodium content in your cookies. Creamy peanut butter: Adds a rich, creamy, nutty flavor and texture to your cookies. Light brown sugar: Adds a mild molasses flavor and can make your cookies moist and chewy. White granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps in browning and spreading. Pure vanilla extract: Adds a sweet, creamy flavor with a hint of floral notes. Large egg: Adds structure and helps to bind the ingredients together. All-purpose flour: Provides structure to your cookies. Baking powder: A leavening agent that helps your cookies rise. Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. Semi sweet chocolate chips: Adds a sweet, chocolatey touch to your cookies.

One reader, Barny Haggerty says:

These soft peanut butter cookies are a game-changer! The perfect blend of peanut butter and chocolate chips makes them irresistible. They're so easy to make and turn out perfectly every time. My family can't get enough of them!

Barny Haggerty

Essential Techniques for Making Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

How to preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) before starting the cookie preparation to ensure it reaches the desired temperature when the cookies are ready to bake.

How to line baking sheets: Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to make cleanup easier.

How to beat together the butter and peanut butter: Cream the butter and peanut butter together until smooth and creamy, using a hand mixer or stand mixer.

How to fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt: Gently incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a smooth cookie dough forms, being careful not to overmix.

How to roll the dough into balls: Roll the cookie dough into approximately 15 evenly sized balls to ensure even baking.

How to press the remaining chocolate chips onto the tops of each cookie: Gently press the remaining chocolate chips onto the tops of each cookie dough ball before baking to ensure a visually appealing final result.

How To Make Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut lovers are going to love our take on peanut butter cookies! It’s soft, packed with nutty flavors, and super easy to make.

Preparation: 15 minutes

Cooking: 10 minutes

Cool Time: 15 minutes

Total: 40 minutes

Serves:

Ingredients

½cupunsalted buttersoftened
½cupcreamy peanut butterspreadable
⅔cuplight brown sugarpacked
½cupwhite granulated sugar
2tsppure vanilla extract
1large egg
1½cupsall-purpose flouror plain flour
½tspbaking powder
⅓tspsalt
¾cupsemi sweet chocolate chipsor dark chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Line 2 large baking sheets with baking or parchment paper, then set aside.
Beat together the butter and peanut butter until creamy.
Add in both sugars and vanilla extract, beating again until smooth.
Beat in the egg until well combined.
Fold in the flour, baking powder and salt, until a smooth cookie dough forms.
Add in half of the chocolate chips and mix them through with fingers, or a wooden spoon.
Roll the dough into about 15 balls and arrange them on lined baking sheet.
Press the remaining chocolate chips onto the tops of each cookie.
Bake for 10 to 11 minutes, until tops are golden.
Allow to cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes.
Serve warm, and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 207.87kcal
Fat: 11.32g
Saturated Fat: 5.36g
Trans Fat: 0.21g
Monounsaturated Fat: 4.01g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.26g
Carbohydrates: 25.09g
Fiber: 1.07g
Sugar: 15.54g
Protein: 3.38g
Cholesterol: 23.89mg
Sodium: 61.61mg
Calcium: 24.45mg
Potassium: 90.75mg
Iron: 0.94mg
Vitamin A: 47.57µg

Crucial Technique Tip for Perfect Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

When making these soft peanut butter cookies, it's important to ensure that your butter is at room temperature before you start. This will make it easier to cream together with the peanut butter, resulting in a smoother, more evenly mixed dough. If you forget to take your butter out of the fridge in advance, you can quickly bring it to room temperature by cutting it into small cubes and letting it sit out for about 15 minutes. Additionally, when adding the chocolate chips, be sure not to overmix. Overmixing can cause the cookies to become tough and less tender. Instead, gently fold them into the dough until just combined.

Time-Saving Tips for Making This Recipe

Prep ahead: Measure and prepare all your ingredients before starting. This will streamline the process and prevent any last-minute scrambling.

Use a cookie scoop: Using a cookie scoop will help ensure that all your cookies are the same size, leading to even baking.

Chill the dough: After rolling the dough into balls, chill them in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes. This will prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking.

Parchment paper: Use parchment paper to line your baking sheets for easy cleanup and to prevent the cookies from sticking.

Double batch: Consider making a double batch and freezing half for later. This way, you'll have homemade cookies ready to bake at a moment's notice.

Substitute Ingredients For Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can provide a similar richness and flavor to the cookies, while also adding a hint of coconut flavor.
creamy peanut butter - Substitute with almond butter: Almond butter can be used as a substitute for peanut butter, providing a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor.
light brown sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar can be used as a substitute for brown sugar, offering a similar sweetness and caramel-like flavor.
white granulated sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey can be used as a natural sweetener in place of granulated sugar, adding a unique flavor and sweetness to the cookies.
pure vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract can be used to add a different flavor profile to the cookies, providing a hint of almond essence.
large egg - Substitute with applesauce: Applesauce can be used as a binding agent in place of eggs, while also adding moisture to the cookies.
all-purpose flour - Substitute with oat flour: Oat flour can be used as a gluten-free alternative to all-purpose flour, providing a nutty flavor and a slightly denser texture.
baking powder - Substitute with baking soda: Baking soda can be used as a leavening agent in place of baking powder, although it may require an acidic ingredient to activate it.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a substitute for regular salt, providing a slightly different flavor profile and texture.
semi sweet chocolate chips - Substitute with dark chocolate chips: Dark chocolate chips can be used as a substitute for semi-sweet chocolate chips, offering a richer and more intense chocolate flavor.

How to Beautifully Present These Soft Cookies

Elevate the cookie with a garnish: Add a touch of sophistication to the presentation by garnishing the plate with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate. This adds visual appeal and complements the flavors of the cookie.
Incorporate a complementary sauce: Introduce a small quenelle of a rich, silky caramel sauce or a velvety chocolate ganache to the plate. This not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds a layer of complexity to the flavor profile.
Utilize contrasting textures: Pair the soft and chewy cookie with a crunchy element, such as a delicate honeycomb brittle or a sprinkle of crushed candied peanuts. This creates a delightful textural contrast that elevates the overall dining experience.
Present with precision: Arrange the cookies on the plate with meticulous attention to detail. Consider using a circular mold to create a perfectly shaped stack of cookies, or arrange them in a linear fashion for a modern and refined presentation.
Incorporate edible flowers: Introduce a pop of color and elegance by delicately placing edible flowers, such as lavender or rose petals, around the cookies. This adds a touch of sophistication and visual intrigue to the dish.
Play with height and dimension: Experiment with the presentation by stacking the cookies in a vertical arrangement, creating a visually striking display. Consider using a tempered chocolate shard as a structural element to add height to the plate.
Highlight the cookie as the focal point: Keep the presentation clean and minimalist, allowing the soft peanut butter cookies to take center stage. Emphasize the natural beauty of the cookies and let their irresistible aroma and texture speak for themselves.

Essential Tools for Making Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Oven: To bake the cookies at the specified temperature.
Baking sheets: To place the cookie dough on for baking.
Parchment paper: To line the baking sheets and prevent the cookies from sticking.
Mixing bowl: To mix the ingredients for the cookie dough.
Electric mixer: To cream the butter and peanut butter and mix the cookie dough.
Measuring cups and spoons: To accurately measure the ingredients.
Wire rack: To cool the cookies after baking.

Storing and Freezing Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before storing them in an airtight container. This will prevent them from becoming soggy or sticking together.
Store the peanut butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place a piece of bread in the container to help maintain their soft texture.
To freeze the cookies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 1-2 hours). Once frozen, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Frozen peanut butter cookies can be stored for up to 3 months. To thaw, remove the desired number of cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
For a quick treat, you can also enjoy the cookies straight from the freezer. The cold temperature will give them a slightly firmer texture, but they'll still have a delightful peanut butter flavor.
If you prefer to store the cookie dough for later use, roll it into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze the dough balls until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. When ready to bake, remove the desired number of dough balls from the freezer, place them on a lined baking sheet, and bake as directed, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time to account for the frozen dough.

How To Reheat Leftover Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

To reheat leftover soft peanut butter cookies, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until they are warmed through and slightly crispy around the edges. This method will restore the cookies' original texture and bring out the flavors of the peanut butter and chocolate chips.
Another option is to use a microwave. Place the cookies on a microwave-safe plate and heat them in 10-second intervals until they reach your desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat them, as this can cause the cookies to become too soft or even mushy. Microwaving is a quick and convenient method, but it may not yield the same crispy texture as oven reheating.
For a unique twist, try crumbling the leftover soft peanut butter cookies over a scoop of your favorite ice cream. The combination of the warm, gooey cookies and the cold, creamy ice cream creates a delightful contrast of textures and temperatures. This method works particularly well with vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
If you prefer a softer, chewier texture, place a slice of bread in an airtight container with the cookies overnight. The bread will absorb any excess moisture, preventing the cookies from becoming too hard or stale. When you're ready to enjoy the cookies, simply remove the bread and reheat them using one of the methods mentioned above.
For a quick and easy treat, crumble the leftover soft peanut butter cookies into a bowl of warm oatmeal or yogurt. The heat from the oatmeal or yogurt will gently warm the cookies, while the creamy texture of the base will complement the richness of the peanut butter and chocolate chips. This method is perfect for a cozy breakfast or a satisfying snack.

Interesting Fact About Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

The peanut butter cookies recipe is a classic American treat that originated in the 1930s. Peanut butter cookies are often characterized by their crisscross pattern, which is made by pressing the tines of a fork into the dough. This pattern not only adds a decorative touch but also helps the cookies bake evenly. Peanut butter cookies are a popular choice for bake sales, parties, and everyday snacking. They are a delicious combination of sweet and salty flavors, and their soft, chewy texture makes them a favorite for many peanut butter lovers.

Is Making Soft Peanut Butter Cookies at Home Cost-Effective?

This soft peanut butter cookies recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients, such as butter, peanut butter, sugar, flour, and chocolate chips, are commonly found in most kitchens. These cookies are a delightful treat that won't break the bank. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $8-$10, making it an affordable option for a sweet indulgence. Overall, I rate this recipe a solid 9 for its simplicity, affordability, and delicious outcome.

Are Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Healthy or Unhealthy?

This peanut butter cookie recipe, while delicious, is not particularly healthy. Here's why:

The recipe contains a significant amount of butter and peanut butter, both of which are high in saturated fat.
It also includes a substantial amount of sugar, with both brown and white sugars being used, which can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other health issues when consumed in excess.
The all-purpose flour used in the recipe is refined, meaning it has been stripped of its natural nutrients and fiber.
Chocolate chips add extra sugar and fat to the cookies.

However, there are some redeeming qualities:

Peanut butter is a good source of protein and healthy fats.
The recipe does not contain any artificial ingredients or preservatives.

To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:

Replace some or all of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, which is higher in fiber and nutrients.
Reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe, or substitute some of it with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Use dark chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet, as they contain less sugar and more antioxidants.
Experiment with using less butter and replacing some of it with healthier alternatives like Greek yogurt or mashed bananas.
Add in some rolled oats for extra fiber and texture.
Consider incorporating chopped nuts, seeds, or dried fruit to boost the nutritional value of the cookies.

Editor's Opinion on These Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

The soft peanut butter cookies recipe is a delightful combination of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate chips. The cookies are perfectly balanced in sweetness and have a soft, chewy texture that will surely satisfy any sweet tooth. The addition of vanilla extract adds a warm, comforting flavor, making these cookies a perfect treat for any occasion. The recipe is simple to follow and yields delicious results, making it a must-try for any peanut butter lover.

Enhance Your Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:

Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes with a hint of garlic and parmesan cheese, served in a fluffy cloud-like mound.

Grilled Asparagus: Tender asparagus spears, lightly charred and drizzled with a balsamic glaze for a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors.

Fruit Salad: A colorful medley of fresh fruits, tossed in a zesty citrus dressing and garnished with a sprinkle of mint leaves for a refreshing and vibrant side dish.

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Hearty Beef Stew: This hearty beef stew recipe is a comforting and satisfying dish that combines tender chunks of beef with hearty vegetables and a rich, flavorful broth. It's the perfect meal for a cozy night in.

Appetizers and Main Courses That Complement Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Appetizers:

Stuffed Mushrooms: These savory bites are filled with a delicious mixture of cream cheese, garlic, and herbs, then topped with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for an extra kick of flavor.

Bruschetta: Slices of toasted baguette are topped with a fresh and zesty mixture of tomatoes, basil, garlic, and balsamic vinegar, creating a burst of Mediterranean flavors in every bite.

Main Courses:

Chicken Alfredo: Create a creamy and indulgent pasta dish that combines tender chicken with a rich and flavorful Alfredo sauce. Serve it over a bed of al dente fettuccine for a satisfying and comforting meal.

Beef Stir Fry: Whip up a quick and delicious stir fry using thinly sliced beef and an assortment of colorful vegetables. The key is to cook everything at a high heat to achieve a perfect sear while maintaining the crispness of the veggies. Serve over a bed of steamed rice for a complete and satisfying meal.

Why trust this Soft Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe:

This recipe guarantees irresistible peanut butter cookies that are soft, chewy, and bursting with peanut butter flavor. With a perfect balance of unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter, these cookies offer a delightful texture and rich taste. The addition of chocolate chips enhances the overall experience, making it a treat for all cookie lovers. The meticulous instructions ensure foolproof results, earning the trust of users seeking a delectable cookie recipe.

Share your thoughts on this soft peanut butter cookies recipe in the Recipe Sharing forum and let us know how yours turned out!

FAQ:

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy peanut butter?

Yes, you can use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer a bit of texture in your cookies. Just keep in mind that the texture will be slightly different from the original recipe.

Can I use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar?

Yes, you can use dark brown sugar as a substitute for light brown sugar. The cookies may have a slightly richer flavor and darker color, but it will work well in the recipe.

Can I omit the chocolate chips or use a different type of add-in?

Absolutely! You can omit the chocolate chips if you prefer, or you can substitute them with other add-ins such as chopped nuts, raisins, or even butterscotch chips for a different flavor.

Can I make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking?

Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking the cookies for the best results.

How should I store the cookies and how long do they stay fresh?

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for about 3-5 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the cookies for up to 2-3 months.