My oldest child does not like chocolate. Yes, you read that correctly. Nothing chocolate at all! I’m not even sure how we can be related.
So when it comes to sweets and treats, finding things he enjoys can be difficult. But he’ll never say no to Classic Peanut Butter Cookies.
The recipe I use comes from a 1969 Betty Crocker cookbook that is hanging on by a thread. It’s simple, delicious and features that traditional criss-cross pattern. In fact, using a fork to make that criss-cross pattern is my kids favorite part of making these cookies (besides taste-testing!) so I always save that job for them.
Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are one of those recipes that you most likely have all the ingredients on hand. Perfect to make for an after school snack or an easy dessert. The dough only takes minutes to make, but you do have to keep in mind that it will need to chill at least an hour, up to three, before you bake them. Because it is a very soft, wet consistency it’s hard to make the dough into balls immediately after mixing it up, plus it would spread too thin in the oven.
A Tip!
Plan Ahead: make sure you chill the cookie dough for at least one hour (up to three hours) before baking.
Making Classic Peanut Butter Cookies
Preheat the oven to 375° F. In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 cup each of softened butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and white sugar. Add in one egg and mix to combine.
Blend in 1-1/4 cup flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Once everything is well blended, cover the bowl and chill at least one hour.
Shape the dough into 1″ balls (for smaller cookies, 2″ balls for larger ones) and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet, spacing them about 3″ apart. Then, with a fork lightly dipped in flour, flatten the center of the cookie by pressing the fork in a criss-cross pattern.
Bake cookies 10 to 12 minutes or until set and firm, but not hard and crispy. Allow to cool on the cookie sheet about 10 minutes, then remove to a rack to cool completely.
Enjoy! I’ll have these waiting for the kids when they get home from their first day of school today. With a glass of milk for them and a cup of coffee for me!
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- 1/2 c. softened butter
- 1/2 c. peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
- 1/2 brown sugar
- 1/2 white sugar
- 1 egg
- 1-1/4 c. flour
- 3/4 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- [i]white sugar to sprinkle on top, if desired[/i]
- Preheat the oven to 375° F.
- In a medium bowl, mix together softened butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and white sugar. Add in one egg and mix to combine.
- Blend in flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Blend well and cover bowl. Chill at least one hour.
- Shape chilled dough into 1″ balls (for smaller cookies, 2″ balls for larger ones) and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet, spacing them about 3″ apart.
- With a fork lightly dipped in flour, flatten the center of each cookie by pressing the fork in a criss-cross pattern.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set and firm, but not hard and crispy.
- Allow to cool on the cookie sheet about 10 minutes; remove to a rack to cool completely.
Rachel says
I love, love LOVE peanut butter cookies. They are easily my favorite…maybe with a few chocolate chips sprinkled on top.
val says
i LOVE a regular ‘ol peanut butter cookie – thanks for the recipe!
Jennifer Hamra says
I love peanut butter cookies! These cookies look so good!
Jennifer says
Thanks for the great recipe! The pictures are mouth watering too! I know what I’m doing this weekend 🙂
Melissa says
These look delicious. I can’t wait to try the recipe.
Hannah Stein says
Yum!! I’ve made peanut butter cookies a lot in the past and they’ve always been ok, but never amazing. Your recipe is a little different so I’ll give it a try! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sharon Chen says
You can never go wrong with peanut butter! This looks awesome! 🙂
Sheila says
Who doesn’t love a classic peanut butter cookie? Me….but I love chocolate and I make them for my family. Your pictures look enticing!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Gotta love the classics 🙂 These look soooo good, even though I’m a chocolate gal, myself. Peanut Butter cookies are so tasty! My mom doesn’t like chocolate either, and like you, I wonder how we’re related!
The Year Of The Daffodil says
Yum, these look delicious!
Kimberly says
YUMMMM! I love classic cookies like this! It makes me want to make them now!
Ashley says
I have been looking for a great classic peanut butter cookie recipe for some time! I’ve tried a few different recipes and nothing has hit the spot. I am so excited to give these a try!
xo Ashley
Lauren says
I love peanut butter cookies – another classic I don’t make nearly enough – yours looks awesome!
Katie says
My mom felt the exact same way about me when I was little! I hated chocolate and she’s a total chocoholic! She thought for sure I was not her child, haha. Delicious PB Cookie recipe! They are my fave 🙂
Rachel says
Oh yum! PB cookies are my favorite!
Melissa says
I love a simple and classic recipe like this!! There is nothing better than whipping up a quick batch to enjoy the same day with a giant glass of milk! Mmm
Tamara says
I need to go check my kitchen to see if I have everything to make these, havent had peanut butter cookies in ages.
Clare Speer says
Wow these look and sound so delicious and moist! You took amazing photos!
haylee says
These look amazing!!!!!
Bella says
Peanut butter cookies are a favourite of mine! they taste good every single time.
http://xoxobella.com
Carlee says
He doesn’t like chocolate? Blasphemy! 😉 I love a good peanut butter cookie!
Vanessa says
Ah! Now I’m hungry and craving Peanut Butter Cookies!!!!!!!!!!
JeeYoung says
mmmm so good. classic recipes are always my fave!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
There’s nothing like a classic. These look scrumptious!
Cait says
These look amazing! I’m always up for trying new baked goods recipes!
– Cait | http://www.prettyandfun.com
Rachel says
my two favorite things: cookies and peanut butter!! YUM!
Rachel | http://www.theconfusedmillennial.com
Logan says
Doesn’t like chocolate?! What!?! I do love peanut butter cookies! These look delicious!
brooke says
These are my favorite kind of cookie! I cannot WAIT to try! Thank you!
Nellwyn says
These looks so good! I’ve been craving peanut butter cookies since yesterday so I’ll have to make these soon!
Jen G says
Can’t wait to try your recipe. Peanut Butter cookies are my favorite!
Klauss says
I really like the recipes with history, in the end what we see now is a derivative of the classic recipes 🙂
Elizabeth @ CrazyBusyHappyLife says
Oh yeah! These are my FAVORITE kind of cookies. Just classic, straightforward peanut butter cookies. I have my grandmother’s Betty Crocker cookbook lying around here somewhere…. 🙂
Eden @ Mint Notion says
I love peanut butter cookies, they are some of my favourite! I’d love to try out your recipe.
Erica says
Yum!!
jehava says
Yum! Want to make these this weekend!