These Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies are slightly crisp on the outside, tender and soft on the inside, plus you just scoop and bake them! No rolling in sugar and pressing with a fork required!
I have been working hard to bring you the best classic cookie recipes, or at least what I consider the best. It started off on Wednesday with my Soft Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies, and now we are moving on to these Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies. If you like a crisp, crunchy, “forked” peanut butter cookie, then you might want to go somewhere else. If you like a peanut butter cookie that is soft on the inside and lightly crisp on the outside, without having to roll the dough in sugar or fork the tops, then you’ve come to the right place!
As with all cookies, it’s best to:
- – Use quality ingredients – a good butter can make a huge difference!
- – Use a cookie scoop (warm hands make cookies spread).
- – Start with a little less flour, bake a test cookie, then add more flour if needed. (We don’t want flat cookies, or dry cookies.)
- – Consider your environment: altitude, weather, if your oven is calibrated correctly, etc. and make adjustments as necessary.
*Read my Soft Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies post for in-depth tips and techniques for baking great cookies!
The best part about these cookies is that they are what I call, “scoop and bake cookies.” I LOVE SCOOP AND BAKE COOKIES! Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate all kinds of cookies: cut-out cookies, sugar coated cookies, etc., but sometimes, a cookie is just as good, scooped and baked plain. Plus, it’s less work! These peanut butter cookies are just that kind of cookie. Scoop, bake, enjoy!
I also love the little wrinkles the cookie scoop leaves behind on the top. It’s almost like a crackle cookie. 😀 Y’all are going to love these Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies!!! Grab your glass of milk and enjoy!
Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugars together in the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment.
- Add the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla. Mix well and scrape the bowl.
- Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the butter mixture all at once and mix until just incorporated.
- Scoop dough onto silicone lined baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until just set. Allow cookies to cool slightly on the tray before transferring them to a cooling rack. Store cookies in an airtight container.
Recipe Notes
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These sound great! And so simple to make too!
Anna
Annas Reflection
Thanks, they are really good!
So, so very good..the best. 🙂
These look wonderful, Amber. I’ve never had a peanut butter cookie that is soft on the inside.
Seriously?! You have to try these then!
These cookies taste good and are so easy! The baking time was perfect for a soft and chewy cookie. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I’m so glad you liked them! Thanks for sharing your review!
These cookies are the bomb diggity!! I was craving a good peanut butter cookie so I scanned Pinterest and your recipe was one of the first that popped up. Me and my hubby have already ate the first pan that just came out of the oven. Thanks for such a delicious recipe.
Oh yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Best peanut butter cookies I’ve ever had, hands down. I added a handful of Reese’s Pieces and Reese’s peanut butter chips — DECADENT! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Those additions sound wonderful! So glad you liked these Melissa! Thanks for sharing your experience!
what size scoop did you use…I like using a cookie scoop (which I think is a 20 or 40). These look pretty large. A standard ice cream scoop?
The scoop I used is a #30. It’s comparable to an ice cream scoop. You can really use whatever size you want, just adjust the baking time accordingly.
Best peanut butter cookie recipe ever! I’ve looked far and wide because peanut butter cookies are my absolute fav, and I finally found the perfect ones! Yay! 😀
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for coming back to share your experience!
Is it okay if you don’t have a silicon lined baking sheet?
Just make sure you spray your pan with cooking spray instead.
these were delish! Da Bomb! I used super crunch peanut butter and followed Melissa’s lead, putting Reese’s peanut butter cup chunks on top. Hubby gave me “the wave”
That is great to hear! I will have to try them that way! Great additions!
Your photographs are gorgeous! My peanut butter cookie recipe is very similar, but I’ve found substituting shortening for some of the butter keeps the cookies soft for longer. I also roll just the round “scoop” tops into salted sugar before baking because I think that bonus flavor and texture is so worth the extra step.
Thanks for your compliments and ideas!
Great recipe only mine didn’t flatten while cooking
Make sure you give your flour a stir before measuring it to work some air into it. You can also try halving the baking soda to flatten them more. Glad they were still yummy though. 🙂
Oh blimey – I’ve just seen these on Pinterest and I must have a go at making them. They look gorgeous.
Thanks Amber
Sue Pxxx
I hope you love them Sue! They’ve been quite popular and successful for many readers!
There are 4 things in life I love….my husband, my grandsons, peanut butter anything, and soft cookies. ;o) Your recipe brings all four together!! I tried another soft peanut butter cookie recipe, and although very good and soft, they didn’t hold together and were flat. Yours are perfection in my book! Thank you! My 6 year old grandson will be here tomorrow and i know he will love these!!
Wow, that is so great to hear! I’m so glad you like them so much! 🙂
I am not a fan of crunchy cookies, so SOFT peanut butter cookies sound amazing! I added a few chocolate chips on top before baking because why not? :p I love how soft and tasty these are. There was a tiny bit of extra dough after making the last batch, so I did a quick microwave one with the extra dough while waiting for them to bake. Even in the microwave they are great, and the oven ones even better. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Ooh! Love what you did to this recipe! I’ll have to try it in the microwave and with chocolate chips! Thanks for your review Sarah!
Okay, So, awhile back I found this recipe and decided to try it. I had yet to find a peanut butter cookie recipe that did anything for me. But after trying this one, I can no longer say that. I have made these cookies again and again. And they have completely changed my life. I just thought I would come by and give you the credit you deserve. Best. Peanut. Butter. Cookies. Ever.
I am so incredibly happy that you enjoyed them! (and are making them over and over again!) Thanks for taking the time to share your experience Lindsey!
thanks for the recipe…it was a success:))
Just used this recipe this morning. I’ve tried many pb cookie recipes. But this one, this is THE ONE! I’m always skeptical of recipes and read the comments, and these comments on your recipe made me think “ok let’s try this one today” they all liked it. I am so in love with it, I shared your page my facebook! Hope it brings you lots of new viewers! I feel like I can go delete my entire pinterest pb cookie board and just leave this one there because I wont use another now! Thanks so much!
Thank you so much for sharing the love on Facebook Bertha! I’m glad you found the best pb cookie recipe for your tastes! I too love it like crazy! Keep on enjoying. 🙂
These are probably the best cookies ever! 🙂 I made these for the guys at my work, and they are still raving about these month later and begging me to make more for them! Sharing later today on my facebook page! 🙂
Haha! Comments like that totally make my day! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the recipe, they came out gorgeous!!
Yay! That’s great! I made these again today and put Guittard milk chocolate chips in them. YUM!
Will regular salted butter work?
Yep that will be just fine! I just made another batch of these just now!
Trying to plan ahead — will the dough or the baked cookies freeze well????
I would freeze the dough and bake them as is, frozen, but you may have to add an extra couple minutes baking time. Just bake one or two cookies first to determine the bake time, and then bake the rest. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out!
thank you!
I was looking for a cookie recipe to make for Santa with my daughter. I stumbled across this recipe today and I made them today. These cookies are so delicious and we couldn’t stop eating them so I made another batch tonight! They remind me of the cookies I made with my mom when I was a girl, only she didn’t use a recipe, she just put stuff in a bowl. Thank you for sharing this recipe, now I have a cookie that’s comparable to my mom’s and I can make memories with my daughter!
Carmen, that is such great news! I’m so happy that they remind you of your mom’s recipe. Merry Christmas!
Sooooo, good. 5 stars+ for ease of recipe and turning out perfect not to mention they tasted amazing. I added chocolate chips when I made them! 🙂
Love this recipe with chocolate chips! Thanks for your review Lynni!
I just made them and they are perfect <3 they didn't flatten out but still so soft and buttery inside! I am in love with them!! thank you so much for the recipe 🙂
That’s so great Anssam! Enjoy!
I made these today with my daughters. A huge hit with the family — this now has become THE family recipe. Thanks Amber!
Wahoo! That’s fantastic! Thanks Geri! So glad you enjoyed them!
I just made these for the first time we absolutely love them!! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Fabulous Barbara! Thanks for your review!
Absolutely AHmazing recipe. Easy and the perfect texture. Thank you so much!
That’s great news Alexa! So glad you enjoyed them! 🙂
anxious to give these a try. do you mind sharing the brand of peanut butter you use? I have been using Jif, but it seems like any recipe I try, there is a strange aftertaste. Brought up on Peter Pan. Wish I could make them like my Mom. So important to get those “special” recipes while you can. thank you so much
Hi Sue! I use Jif peanut butter for everything. I buy the huge ones at Sam’s Club. We love Jif peanut butter, but if you like a different brand better, go for it. Any creamy peanut butter should work just fine. So far, I haven’t had any bad reviews for this recipe. It’s very popular and loved by all. I really hope you enjoy it too!
I agree; absolutely the best ever peanut butter cookie. In fact, it bumped my good ol’ standby!
That’s the best news! Thanks for your comment Lucy!
I only have salted butter on hand, can I delete the salt in the recipe without making the cookies to salty?
Hi Bridget! I typically bake with unsalted butter, but salted butter will be just fine. Enjoy!
This is one darn good cookie. I am from Trinidad saw the recipe on pinterest and decided to make some for my girls. This is an awesome recipe. It is soft and chewy just how a cookie should be, next time I will add some oats. Keep up the good work.
Hi Camille! So glad you liked them! Adding oats sounds like a wonderful twist! Have a great day!
These sound amazing! I’m going to make them for my BF for Valentine’s Day tomorrow. BUT, I want to make them as one giant heart-shaped cookie. I’m going to try to buy a heart-shaped form today, but I’ve never baked a giant cookie before so I’m worried it might be easy to under or overbake it. Any suggestions?
I would press the cookie dough into the heart shaped pan and then bake it for about 15 to 20 minutes. It should bake pretty even as long as you press it evenly in the pan. Good luck!
I can’t make cookies…….period. And I have never made cookies that were successful……period. However, I came across this recipe and now I can make COOKIES!! This is the best recipe ever, it’s easy, the measurements are correct and they turned out perfectly! I did use salted butter and also added the suggested salt portion and they are just amazing. Thanks for making a cookie baker out of me!
That is awesome! So glad the cookies were a success!
I made these today and they are hands down the best peanut butter cookies ever! I added peanut butter chocolate morsels to the batter and they were delicious! My whole family raved about them. Thank you Amber for an amazing recipe!!
Ooh! Peanut butter chocolate morsels?! Sounds fabulous! So glad you enjoyed them Barbara!
OMG mine didn’t deflate in the oven and were a bit powdery instead of chewy but by golly they taste AMAZING!!! Maybe I did something wrong?
Definitely a five star recipe 😀
So glad you liked it!
I can’t think of why they would be powdery, unless the dry ingredients weren’t mixed in fully, but I’m so glad they tasted good!
Yummy! But how do you keep yourself from eating all of the cookie dough before baking? 😃
That is a great question Maggie! It’s not easy. 😉
These are FABULOUS!!! 😀😀I have searched for years for a great peanut butter cookie recipe and this is definitely it! My oldest son is an even bigger peanut butter lover than I am, so it’s a battle to keep him (and myself) from devouring these in one day lol. Thank you for sharing! 👍😄
That’s so great! I made these again yesterday too! They are a staple for sure!
WE LOVE THESE!!! My husband and I usually indulge in Choc Chip but just the photo of these PeanutButterCookies made me try them. SO delicious, soft, perfect…they keep for several days just fine…THANK YOU for sharing the recipe!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much! Thanks Carrie!
So I’m trying to find the perfect chewy peanut butter cookie and stumbled upon your blog. I followed the link to your chocolate chip recipe and saw that you added cornstarch to those cookies. Would adding cornstarch to this recipe help with making them soft and chewy?
Hi Liz! You definitely could add the cornstarch, but the extra moistness from the peanut butter keeps these soft and chewy as is. Most everyone who has tried them has loved them so far. They are far from dry and crispy. Let me know what you think if you make them!
Just made these and LOVEEEEED them. Mine didn’t quite flatten like yours did, maybe I should have baked them for 10 rather than 12, but still delicious.
I’m so glad you liked them Kaitlyn! Thanks for your review!
These cookies are absolutely amazing! I made them about a week ago and my whole family loved them. My mother just isn’t big into cookies and she ate 3 of them- she wants more! The only issue I had was the cookies were very very thick- like the top of a muffin. So I ended up flattening them a bit with a fork. Do you know what I did wrong? I would love to make them again!
Hi Rebecca! Glad they were tasty! As far as the thickness, I can think of two things. You can stir your flour before you measure it, so it incorporates air into the flour, which will in turn help you use slightly less of it to help your cookies spread more. Or you can try adjusting the leavening agent, in this case the baking soda, to maybe 1/2 tsp instead of a full teaspoon. I hope this helps! Thanks for your comment!
Do you need to chill dough before baking?
Nope, use it straight after mixing.
Hi Amber…all I can say is WOW. I made a batch this afternoon and it was divine!! Can’t stop eating them..thx so much for the recipe.
Hi Brenda! Thanks for your comment! It means a lot to me! I’m so glad you liked the cookies!
Thank you so much for this recipe! Truly love these cookies and so does my whole family! Absolutely delicious
I’m so happy you liked them Nicole! Thanks for your review!
Do you use all purpose or self rising flour?
All purpose flour.
Can these be made with self rising flour. I tend to use this flour instead of adding baking powder and salt and wondered?
I never use self-rising flour, so I’m not sure if it would work. Sorry!
These will definitely be making an appearance in the lunch box this year! Thank you for this simple and delicious recipe. Have you (or anyone else for that matter) ever tried freezing this dough (scooped)?
Hi Robin! YES! You can definitely freeze the dough. My friend froze this cookie dough for cookies for her daughter’s wedding reception and she said they baked up just fine and were wonderful. Enjoy!
I tried it today. It came out soft inside and slightly crispy outside. Awesome cookies.
Great news! Thanks for your comment Ramya!
Amber!! Thank you for this amazing recipe!! I don’t often leave comments but this peanut butter cookies recipe is the best I’ve come across, hands down. The other ones are out the window!! This is definitely one of my top finds on Pinterest! Thank you Amber!!
That makes my heart happy! Thanks for your comment Katie! I’m so happy you love them too!
Best peanut butter cookies I’ve ever made or eaten in my entire life! Two thumbs up!
What a compliment! Thanks for your review Heather! I’m glad you enjoyed them so much!
Just tried today and they are perfect!! Thanks.
Awesome! Thanks Malikah!
Ok I have been looking for this kind I’d a f recipe for forever!!these are amazing! ! My husband asked me to make peanut butter cookies for him and our kids and they are getting eatin up as fast as they are coming out of the oven! Definitely a keeper this recipe!! Thanks for sharing!
That makes me so happy Amanda! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience!
I made a double batch of these and they still turned out fantastic! Thanks for a great recipe!
Sweet! Glad you liked them Stacey!
So this PB Cookie recipe has now replaced my Grandmother’s recipe from the PA Grange book. Need I say more??
I will though – I was drawn to this because you don’t have roll the cookies and anything with soft and chewy in the title is a plus. I made them last night – they’re a breeze to make, drop and bake. AND THEY ARE DELICIOUS.
Two additional comments – I made a double batch because 19 cookies (and made smaller so adjusted bake time) is not enough for our Christmas trays. Second – I have a habit of finding an online recipe, printing, trying it and losing it!! Well my 20something daughter made me put the recipe in her book immediately because she said “you cannot lose this one Mom!” So I’m back to get the recipe bookmarked, printed, handwritten in her book, and posted to her online recipe page! Thank you so much –
That’s wonderful news Sheila! I’m glad you liked them! Thanks so much for your comment!
Have been trying to find a soft chewy….lb is husbands favorite. It’s only 7 in morning, below zero and I’m headed to kitchen. They might be my breakfast and ill have to make more this aft. Great reviews. Now to find soft oatmeal.
Cookies for breakfast are never a bad thing. 😉 I have a soft oatmeal cookie recipe too if you want to check it out: https://www.dessertnowdinnerlater.com/chewy-oatmeal-raisin-cookies/
Anywhere I have ever taken theses cookies, people devour them. They sell out first at bake sales and my daughter’s boss regularly gives me a $20.00 bill and says “bake until this is gone”. I use them as gifts, also. You won’t be disappointed.
Awesome!
Can I reduce the amount of sugar by one third?
You are welcome to experiment and adjust the recipe to your tastes. I just can’t guarantee the outcome to look or taste like mine, because I haven’t tried it that way. Good luck!
I tried and it was so good!
I couldn’t get the chewy texture like yours though:) Thank you!
I’m glad it was still good!
Just spotted these on my Pinterest and am desperate to have a go. Does anyone have the conversions into grams please as I am a Brit and we don’t tend to use cups often. Ppleeeasssse I can taste them from the pics!! Thanks in advance 😊
I just googled these. Hopefully they are accurate.
114 grams butter
100 grams granulated sugar
180 grams brown sugar
125 grams creamy peanut butter
1 large egg
4.2 grams vanilla
225 grams all-purpose flour
5 grams baking soda
2.5 grams salt
That is brilliant thank you. My first job Saturday morning. Can’t wait. Will have a happy household x
For How many people is this receipe??
This recipe makes about 18 medium/large sized cookies.
Hey, thanks for the recipe! These look super great 🙂
I’ve been searching for the perfect peanut butter cookie recipe for YEARS, and now I’ve found it! The texture, flavour and size are ideal (for me and my family’s preference, anyway). Thank you for sharing and for ending my search.
That’s great news Ash! Thanks for your comment! I’m so glad the search is over!
I’ve made this recipe three times now and just can’t seem to get the cookie in the picture. I’ve read all the comments and replies. My cookies will not flatten. I’ve stirred the flour to “put air in it”, used a little less flour and I’ve tried using half the baking soda. I even tried with melted butter. I end up smashing them down halfway through baking, but that chewy texture (from the picture) is not achieved. I don’t have a Kitchenaid, only a hand mixer. The dough is always too dry. Should I try again mixing it by hand? What else should I be doing? Help! I’m desperate to achieve this cookie. Thanks for sharing and in advance for all your help!
Hi Monica,
The dough shouldn’t be dry at all. You can try doing 1 cup of flour instead of 1 1/2. You must use butter, not margarine or shortening, but it sounds like you are using real butter. What brand of peanut butter are you using? I use Jif Creamy Peanut Butter. If you use an all natural peanut butter, it may not work. Maybe try smaller balls of cookie dough as well. The hand mixer should be just fine, I don’t think that’s the problem. I’m so sorry you’re having problems! I hope one of these suggestions helps!
These cookies are a hit with my family 🙂 it’s my go to recipe!!
I’m so glad! Thanks for your comment Liz!
Obsessed with these cookies!! Im super picky when it comes to peanut butter cookies and these are hands down the BEST! Love the slightly crisp outside and the soft chewey inside…YUM!!! This will be my forever recipe! Thanks 🙂
I’m the same way. I love a crisp outside and soft, chewy inside! So glad you like my recipe! Thanks for your comment Rebecca!
Hi,
I have made these cookies numerous times and love them!
I have a family member that wants peanut butter cookies for a diabetic, donyou think these would work with Splenda? Do you think I would need to adjust anything?
This is my favorite recipe and wanted to use it
Thanks in advance Chantell
I haven’t tried it myself, but it’s supposed to work okay. Here is some info from the Splenda website: “One cup of Splenda granulated sweetener or 24 individual Splenda packets is equal to 1 cup of sugar. When using Splenda sugar or brown sugar blends, 1/2 cup is equal to 1 cup of sugar.”
Thank you so much
Yeah I seen that on their website
I will give it a try 🙂
Hi,
Really want to try this. Just wondering if you think this would work for a layer in a giant cookie layer cake?
I bet it would. Press the cookie dough flat and bake for about 12-15 minutes.
Amazing thank you, can’t wait!! 😊
Omg best peanut butter cookies ever. They almost taste like subway peanut butter cookies thanks so much for sharing.
I’m so glad you like them Zena! Thanks for your comment!
I Love Love Love this recipe. I’m the type of person that reads reviews so i know what I’m dealing with and these didn’t disappoint. I tried making a different recipe one time and they came out with a sandy texture however these were perfect. A little crisp but chewy. I also added 2tbs of crunch peanut butter and 1/4 cup of chocolate chips but they still would have been perfect without them… PS: I hate that fork and sugar method
I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe with your minor alterations. I’ve definitely added chocolate chips every now and then too. 🙂
I needed a chewy peanut butter cookie recipe for my dad’s birthday and these were so so good and so easy to make (and came out great in an electric oven I had never used before!) ! I could memorize this one. Thanks for making such a delicious cookie!
That’s great! So glad you enjoyed them so much!
These are some of the easiest cookies I’ve ever made, and their taste certainly didn’t suffer because of it! Prep time was 20 minutes, bake time clocked in at 25 and my family adores them! They turned out just like the Pinterest pictures (which isn’t usually the case) and I would make these again for sure! Thank you for such a great, simple recipe!
That’s the best news! I’m so glad it was a success for you! Thanks for your comment Olivia!
Best peanut butter cookies I’ve ever made, and so easy. Turned out just like the picture and so soft and chewy! Thank you Amber for such a great recipe! Will be my new go to Peanut Butter cookie recipe!
So good! I split my dough in half and added chocolate chips to one of the halves. So yummy
Awesome! We love adding chocolate chips sometimes too!
I make these quite often. A chewy center with a slight crisp outside?!?!? These are the BEST PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES EVER!!!
Thanks for your comment Jay! I’m so glad to hear that you feel the same way I do about these cookies. 🙂