If you have a soft spot for peanut butter treats, you are going to love this Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe. Imagine biting into a cookie that boasts just the right amount of softness and chewiness, paired with a rich peanut butter flavor that melts in your mouth. This recipe strikes that perfect balance effortlessly, creating cookies that are thick enough to satisfy any craving but chewy enough to keep you coming back for more. It’s a classic comfort cookie made better and easier to love with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting ready to make these delicious cookies is simple because the ingredients are staples you may already have on hand. Each one plays its role perfectly: giving flavor, texture, aroma, and that irresistible chew.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides richness and helps create the cookies’ tender texture.
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter: The star ingredient that delivers that unmistakable nutty and creamy flavor.
- 1 cup white sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with a slight crisp edge.
- 1 cup packed brown sugar: Brings moisture and depth with its caramel notes, contributing to chewiness.
- 2 eggs: Bind ingredients together and add moisture for a soft, chewy crumb.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Supplies structure while keeping cookies tender when measured properly.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps cookies rise just the right amount without becoming cakey.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda: Ensures a soft interior and contributes to that perfect chewiness.
How to Make Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that when your cookie dough is ready, you can pop it right in without delay, leading to even baking. Line a cookie sheet but skip greasing it for that beautifully crisp edge.
Step 2: Blend the Fats and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, white sugar, and brown sugar together. You want this mixture smooth and homogenous because it lays the foundation of flavor and texture. Take your time here to get it just right.
Step 3: Incorporate the Eggs
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This step not only binds the dough but helps to build volume and silkiness, which is essential to achieve that tender chewiness.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Gradually add this to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing here to keep your cookies from becoming tough.
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and arrange them about 2 inches apart on your ungreased cookie sheet. This spacing helps the cookies bake evenly without merging into one another.
Step 6: Create the Signature Crisscross
Flatten each dough ball gently with a fork, pressing down lightly to create the classic crisscross pattern. Not only does this give your cookies that iconic peanut butter cookie look, but it also helps them bake evenly.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are golden brown but the centers still look a touch soft. They will firm up as they cool, preserving that chewy texture that makes this Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe stand out.
Step 8: Cool Before Serving
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This rest time helps the cookies set perfectly without falling apart.
How to Serve Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on top just before baking for a delightful contrast that heightens the peanut butter’s richness. Alternatively, drizzle melted chocolate or sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top for an extra layer of indulgence.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a tall glass of cold milk to balance the sweetness and enhance the creamy peanut flavor. They’re also divine served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an easy dessert upgrade.
Creative Ways to Present
Wrap a few cookies in parchment paper tied with twine for charming homemade gifts. You can also sandwich two cookies with a dollop of chocolate ganache or peanut butter cream for a fabulous twist that guests will remember.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your thick and chewy peanut butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay perfectly moist and delicious for up to one week, making them great for having a quick treat on hand.
Freezing
If you want to save these treasures longer, freeze the dough balls separately on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, pop them into the oven straight from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the bake time.
Reheating
For freshly baked warmth, microwave a cookie for 10 to 15 seconds or heat them in a low oven. This revives their softness and melts the peanut butter slightly, bringing alive that chewy magic all over again.
FAQs
Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Chunky peanut butter will add extra texture bits inside the cookie, making each bite a bit crunchier and more interesting, though the overall chewiness might be slightly different.
Why are my peanut butter cookies hard instead of chewy?
This often happens if you overbake the cookies or use too much flour. Keeping the baking time just right and measuring flour carefully ensures your cookies stay soft and chewy.
Can I substitute any ingredients in this recipe for dietary needs?
You can try gluten-free flour blends to make these cookies gluten-free. For dairy-free options, use plant-based butter. Just be mindful that substitutions may slightly affect texture and flavor.
How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking helps prevent excessive spreading, ensuring your cookies stay thick and maintain that desirable chewy consistency.
Is it okay to double this recipe?
Yes! This recipe scales up beautifully, just be sure to have enough baking sheets or bake in batches so the cookies have plenty of space to cook evenly.
Final Thoughts
This Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is truly a keeper for every home baker who loves warm, comforting treats. Its simplicity and fail-proof method make it fun and easy to whip up any time you want to fill your kitchen with delightful aromas and your cookie jar with perfect peanut butter goodness. Go ahead and make these cookies your new favorite snack—you’ll be so glad you did.
Print
Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These thick and chewy peanut butter cookies offer a perfect balance of rich peanut butter flavor and a soft, chewy texture. Easy to make with simple ingredients, these classic cookies are ideal for satisfying your sweet tooth any time of the day.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating a creamy base for the dough.
- Add Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next, for a uniform texture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt throughout the flour.
- Mix Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Shape Dough Balls: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet to allow space for spreading.
- Flatten and Pattern: Using a fork, gently flatten each dough ball and create a crisscross pattern on top, which is traditional for peanut butter cookies and helps them bake evenly.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn golden brown while the centers remain slightly soft for a chewy texture.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they firm up properly without breaking.
Notes
- For extra chewiness, do not overbake; the centers should look slightly soft when you take them out.
- Use creamy peanut butter for the best texture; chunky peanut butter will alter the cookie’s consistency.
- The crisscross fork pattern isn’t just decorative—it helps cookies bake evenly.
- Allow cookies to cool fully on a wire rack to maintain their chewy texture.
- Storing cookies in an airtight container at room temperature helps keep them fresh for up to a week.
