This post may contain affiliate links for which I earn a commission. Read myย disclosure page here.

It’s so quick and easy to cook up a batch of delicious homemade peanut butter cookies. Perfect for the holiday season, they take minutes to make and are quick to cook. Perfect for when you get a sweet craving!

stacked soft peanut butter cookies on a plate

Save This Recipe

Enter your email and we'll send the recipe directly to you!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Delicious Meets Healthy.

As we approach the holidays, my mind turns to all things baking, and especially cookies! Whilst these easy peanut butter cookies can obviously be enjoyed all year round, I always have to make a batch for Christmas!

Simple and quick to make, this simple cookie recipe is a real crowd-pleaser. Made from scratch, they are sweet and buttery and I guarantee they’ll disappear quickly!

Be sure to try my Amaretti Cookies and Chocolate Pecan Cookies too!

Why you will love this Peanut Butter Cookies recipe!

  • Quick and easy: Even novice bakers will be able to master these cookies. It’s a great recipe that the kids can help you with too!
  • Make ahead: These classic cookies have a great shelf life and are freezer friendly, so be sure to make a big batch!
  • Great for gifting: Their long shelf life means that these homemade peanut butter cookies are great for cookie exchanges, or gifting to friends and family over the holidays.
dipping peanut butter cookie in a glass of milk

Ingredients

  • Butter: Use unsalted butter. If using salted, decrease the amount of added salt.
  • Sugar: This easy recipe for peanut butter cookies uses granulated sugar. You could swap some for brown sugar for a different flavor and slightly chewy texture.
  • Creamy peanut butter: I prefer to make these cookies with smooth peanut butter, but you can use crunchy nut butter if that’s what you have to hand. Skippy or Jif both work well.
  • Large egg: To bind the ingredients together.
  • Vanilla extract and salt: For added flavor.
  • Flour: You can use all-purpose flour or make gluten-free peanut butter cookies if you use 1:1 gluten-free flour.
  • Baking soda and powder: So the cookies rise when they bake and are not dense.
ingredients for peanut butter cookies

How to make peanut butter cookies

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two 18 by 13-inch baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a medium mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together butter, granulated sugar until combined.
  • Mix in peanut butter then blend in egg and vanilla to the butter mixture. With the mixer set on low speed slowly fold in flour mixture and mix just until combined.
  • Scoop dough out and shape into balls (each nearly 2 Tbsp) then place on baking sheets spacing them 2-inches apart.
  • Use a fork to flatten the dough balls slightly then turn the fork going in the opposite direction and flatten just slightly again to create a criss-cross pattern.
  • Bake cookies in a preheated oven, one sheet at a time (unless you can fit two sheets at the same time), for about 9 – 10 minutes (cookies will appear pale and slightly under-baked, they’ll continue to cook slightly as they cool).
  • Let cool on a baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 
process images of making peanut butter cookies
process images of making peanut cookies

How long do they last?

These soft peanut butter cookies have a great shelf life! Once cooled, store them in an air-tight container and keep them at room temperature for up to a week. They will keep slightly longer in the fridge, though I find that they can dry out a little.

Can you freeze them?

Yes! These cookies freeze really well, so it’s easy to get ahead with your holiday baking! Once cooled, place the cookies on a baking sheet and freeze solid. Once hard, transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag and they will keep well for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature to enjoy.

cookies on a plate and glass of milk in background

How do you know when the peanut butter cookies are baked?

These cookies only need 10 minutes of baking time. They will appear pale and undercooked when you take them out of the oven, but they will continue to cook and set on the baking sheet. After 5 minutes, cool them on a wire rack so that the air circulates around them to avoid them getting soggy.

TIPS FROM NELI’S KITCHEN

  • Use only real butter — no shortening, no margarine, no imitation butters.
  • When mixing the cookie dough, take care not to over mix when you add the flour. Over mixing can cause the gluten to develop and result in tough and flat cookies. Stop mixing once the flour is incorporated.
  • Leave spaces between each ball of cookie dough on the baking sheets as they will spread in the oven.
  • Let cool fully before serving or storing.
  • Optionally, you can add mini chocolate chips or peanuts.
close up image of holding a split cookie

More Sweet Treats

If you loved these easy and simple peanut butter cookies, make sure you try some of my other recipes for sweet treats:

stacked soft peanut butter cookies on a plate
No ratings yet

Peanut Butter Cookies

Calories141
Protein:3
Carbs:15
Fat:8
It's so quick and easy to cook up a batch of delicious homemade peanut butter cookies. Perfect for holiday season, they take minutes to make and are quick to cook. Perfect for when you get a sweet craving!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies

Save This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Delicious Meets Healthy.

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line two 18 by 13-inch baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a medium mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • In another mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together butter, granulated sugar until combined.
  • Mix in peanut butter then blend in egg and vanilla. With the mixer set on low speed slowly add in flour mixture and mix just until combined.
  • Scoop dough out and shape into balls (each nearly 2 Tbsp) then place on baking sheets spacing them 2-inches apart.
  • Using a fork flatten cookies slightly then turn the fork going in the opposite direction and flatten just slightly again to create a criss-cross pattern.
  • Bake cookies in a preheated oven, one sheet at a time (unless you can fit two sheets at the same time), for about 9 – 10minutes (cookies will appear pale and slightly under-baked, they’ll continue to cook slightly as they cool).
  • Let cool on a baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store cookies and an airtight container.

Video

Notes

  • When mixing the cookie dough, take care not to over mix when you add the flour. Over mixing can cause the gluten to develop and result in tough and flat cookies. Stop mixing once the flour is incorporated.
  • Leave spaces between each ball of cookie dough on the baking sheets as the will spread in the oven.
  • Let cool full before serving or storing.

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 72mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 128IU | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Neli Howard

Meet Neli Howard, a food blogger and recipe developer on a mission to make healthy eating delicious! With a knack for creating mouthwatering recipes using real food ingredients, Neli's all about making nutritious meals that the whole family will love. Her easy-to-follow recipes turn healthy cooking into a joyful experience, proving that eating well doesn't have to be bland or boring.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 Comments

  1. Lee says:

    Is this 141 calories for one cookie? There is no serving size indicated.

    1. Neli | Delicious Meets Healthy says:

      Yes. The serving size is 1 cookie. This recipe makes about 24 cookies.