Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe: Joy Of Cooking Magic!

Peanut butter cookies from Joy of Cooking offer a nostalgic journey through flavor and comfort that melts hearts instantly.

Crumbly edges and velvety centers create a symphony of textures that seduce every taste bud.

Buttery notes waltz with rich peanut essence, transforming simple ingredients into culinary magic.

These golden-brown delights carry whispers of childhood kitchens and cherished family moments.

Skilled home bakers can effortlessly craft these delectable treats with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Each bite promises a delightful balance of sweetness and nuttiness that lingers deliciously.

Get ready to bake a batch that will make taste buds dance and memories flood back.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 246 kcal

Servings: 24

Ingredients to Make Peanut Butter Cookies

• Softened Butter: Choose high-quality, unsalted butter for a richer, more controlled flavor profile.
• Creamy Peanut Butter: Select smooth, natural peanut butter without added sugars for authentic taste.
• White Sugar: Opt for fine-grain sugar that dissolves easily and creates smooth texture.
• Brown Sugar: Pick fresh, moist brown sugar that adds deep caramel undertones.
• Egg: Select fresh, room-temperature egg for better ingredient integration.

• All-Purpose Flour: Use fresh, sifted flour to prevent lumps and ensure consistent texture.
• Baking Soda: Check expiration date to guarantee proper rising action.
• Baking Powder: Select fresh powder for optimal cookie lift and lightness.
• Salt: Use fine-grain table salt for even distribution and balanced flavor.

• Parchment Paper: Choose non-stick, unbleached parchment for easy cookie removal.
• Cooking Spray: Select neutral-flavored spray for light greasing if needed.

Tools for Baking Peanut Butter Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for blending butter, peanut butter, and sugars smoothly.
• Electric mixer: Essential for creating a fluffy, well-combined cookie base.
• Separate mixing bowl: Ideal for sifting and combining dry ingredients.
• Sifter or fine-mesh strainer: Helps create lump-free dry ingredient mixture.
• Refrigerator: Allows dough to chill and develop richer flavors.
• Baking sheets: Provides even surface for baking cookies.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Fork: Creates classic crisscross pattern on cookie tops.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and maintain crisp texture.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.

How to Bake Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

• Whip Up Creamy Cookie Base

Grab your mixer and blend butter, peanut butter, and sugars until they transform into a cloud-like, silky mixture. Crack in an egg and mix until everything comes together in smooth harmony.

• Blend Dry Ingredients

Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gently fold these powdery ingredients into your butter mixture, stirring just until combined to keep the dough light and tender.

• Chill And Prepare

Tuck your cookie dough into the refrigerator for a quick rest, allowing flavors to mingle and making the dough easier to handle. While waiting, warm up the oven to a toasty 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

• Shape And Design Cookies

Roll the chilled dough into delightful little balls, spacing them nicely on the baking sheet. Use a fork to create the classic criss-cross pattern, giving each cookie its signature look and texture.

• Bake And Cool

Slide the cookies into the oven and bake until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown, about 7-10 minutes. Let them relax on the baking sheet for a moment before transferring to a cooling rack, where they’ll crisp up and become irresistibly delicious.

Tips to Enhance Your Cookie Game

• Upgrade Your Peanut Butter Cookie Game: Expert Tips and Twists
• Customize Ingredients: Swap traditional peanut butter with crunchy almond or cashew butter for unique nutty flavors that add delightful texture and unexpected depth to your cookies.
• Quick Chilling Hack: If pressed for time, freeze dough for 20 minutes instead of refrigerating for an hour – this rapid cooling technique helps maintain cookie structure and intensifies flavor development.
• Texture Magic: For extra soft cookies, replace half the white sugar with honey, which adds moisture and creates a more tender, melt-in-your-mouth experience that keeps cookies fresh longer.
• Mix-In Magic: Elevate basic cookies by folding in chocolate chips, chopped roasted peanuts, or sea salt sprinkles just before shaping – these simple additions transform ordinary cookies into gourmet treats that surprise and delight everyone who takes a bite.

Fun Serving Options for Peanut Butter Cookies

• Pair with Milk Delight: Dunk these warm, golden peanut butter cookies into a cold glass of creamy milk for the ultimate comfort treat.
• Create a Dessert Platter: Arrange cookies alongside chocolate truffles, fresh berries, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an elegant after-dinner spread.
• Pack for Picnic Adventures: Wrap individual cookies in parchment paper for a perfect on-the-go snack during outdoor gatherings or road trips.
• Gift with Love: Stack cookies in a cute mason jar, tie with a ribbon, and share as a homemade gift that shows personal care and baking passion.

How to Store and Freeze Peanut Butter Cookies

• Preserve Freshness: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them soft and delectable.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap cookie dough balls or baked cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Frozen dough keeps for 3 months, while baked cookies maintain quality for 2 months.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days before baking. This technique allows flavors to develop and makes last-minute baking a breeze.
• Serving Suggestions: Serve cookies slightly warm for maximum enjoyment, pairing perfectly with cold milk or a hot cup of coffee for an irresistible treat that delights all ages.

Heavenly Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Classic peanut butter cookies deliver rich, nutty comfort from grandma’s kitchen. Sweet, crumbly treats promise nostalgia and simple pleasure with each homemade bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (226 g/8 oz) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (256 g/9 oz) crunchy peanut butter
• 1 cup (200 g/7 oz) white sugar
• 1 cup (220 g/7.8 oz) packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 ½ cups (313 g/11 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Mixture Preparation: Whip softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer until achieving a light, airy consistency with complete ingredient integration.
2. Dry Ingredient Blend: Sift all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together, ensuring uniform distribution and eliminating potential lumps.
3. Dough Formation: Gently incorporate dry ingredients into the butter mixture, folding carefully to create a cohesive dough without excessive manipulation.
4. Chill and Rest: Refrigerate the prepared dough for one hour to intensify flavors and optimize cookie texture, allowing ingredients to meld harmoniously.
5. Oven Preparation: Heat oven to 190 degrees Celsius (375 degrees Fahrenheit), ensuring precise temperature for optimal baking conditions.
6. Cookie Shaping: Craft uniform 1-inch spheres from chilled dough, positioning them strategically on ungreased baking sheets with adequate spacing.
7. Signature Marking: Imprint each cookie with a classic crisscross pattern using fork tines, creating distinctive textural indentations characteristic of peanut butter cookies.
8. Baking and Finishing: Bake for 7-10 minutes until edges transform to a golden-brown hue and centers remain slightly tender, then allow brief resting on baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Notes

• Chill for Perfection: Refrigerating the dough for an hour helps develop richer flavors and prevents excessive spreading during baking.
• Gentle Mixing Matters: Avoid overmixing the dough to maintain a tender, soft cookie texture and prevent tough, dense results.
• Fork Technique: Use a fork to create classic crisscross patterns, which not only provide visual appeal but also help cookies bake evenly.
• Watch Baking Time: Monitor cookies closely during the 7-10 minute baking window to achieve a golden-brown edge while keeping centers soft and chewy.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 246
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 172 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg