World's Greatest Peanut Butter Cookies - Melt-in-your-mouth, soft and delicious peanut butter cookies. These are a readers' favorite recipe!
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Oh, do I have a treat for you all today! It's officially cookie baking season and we're ready to throw things into high gear around here! The cookies I'm sharing today are MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH delicious.
They're the cookies my husband asks me to make over and over again. No one who has tasted them has stopped at only one. That's why I call them the World's Greatest Peanut Butter Cookies. They're simply the best.
Making the World's Greatest Peanut Butter Cookies
It really doesn't take a ton of ingredients to make these heavenly cookies - only seven, and they're all basic ingredients you'll probably be able to find right in your pantry.
So, back to cookie baking season. . .before I had children I used to get together with my husband's side of the family to bake Christmas cookies each year.
We picked a Saturday, headed out to the farm and created a cookie factory within his Grandmother's kitchen that was similar to what you would see happening up at the North Pole. . .only with cookies instead of toys. . .and crazy women instead of elves.
You get what I'm saying, right? Assembly lines, cookies coming out of everywhere. . .and LOTS of testing.
Well, it's been years since I've gotten together with them to do the annual cookie baking and I have to say, I do miss it.
I think it's been so long since we've gotten together because everyones' lives have just gotten so busy! I guess that's what having kiddos does to you, doesn't it?
And just for the record, I only have two children. My sister-in-law has four. I just shake my head and secretly wonder where she stores her super powers.
Some days I literally RUN through my house trying to get things done. I'm not even kidding. Part of that may be from working a full time job and blogging on the side. The jury is still out.
All I know is that the hours in a day have become so very precious.
When I get myself into these frenzies, I need to remind myself what’s most important. This is the greatest time ever to start up the cookie baking again, right? Right.
Even if life is a bit crazier, I’ve learned quickly that traditions are important.
I think we need to get the family together and get those cookie sheets greased again. . .because these peanut butter cookies are HAPPENING!
I hope they happen at your house, too. You’re going to love them!
Want to see these cookies dressed up to the nines? Then check out my Smookies recipe that sandwiches marshmallow and chocolate between these beautiful cookies!
World's Greatest Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 stick unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 ⅓ cups packed light-brown sugar
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Lightly coat a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
- Mix flour and baking soda in a small bowl; set aside.
- With a spoon, mix butter, peanut butter and brown sugar in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Add egg and vanilla; beat until smooth.
- Add flour mixture and stir until combined.
- Cover dough and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes; allow to cool in the refrigerator for another 20-30 minutes.
Notes
- Chilling the Dough: Refrigerating the dough for 20–30 minutes before baking is essential. This step helps solidify the fats in the dough, preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also enhances the flavor and texture of the cookies by allowing the ingredients to meld together.
- Proper Baking Time: Keep a close eye on the cookies while they are baking. Overbaking can result in dry and crumbly cookies, while underbaking may lead to cookies that are too soft and doughy. Aim for golden brown edges and slightly soft centers for the perfect texture.
- Cooling Process: Allowing the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes after removing them from the oven helps them set up and firm up slightly. Then, transferring them to the refrigerator for an additional 20–30 minutes ensures they cool completely and maintain their shape. This step also makes it easier to handle and store the cookies without them becoming too fragile.
Sharon
Just made these, dough in refrigerator, can't wait to try. Hub's favorite cookie like so many others. I'm a long time baker and usually recognize a good recipe when I see one, thank you for sharing.
Sharon
Very good cookies, added to my recipe box under favorites. Hub loved them too. No issues.
Sara
I'm so glad you and your husband are enjoying the cookies, Sharon!
Gary
A stumbling amateur in the kitchen but these were easy! Came out perfectly, outrageously good! Thanks for sharing!
Sara
Oh, I'm so glad, Gary! I'm making these tomorrow for Christmas. My husband can't wait. 😉
Beverly
Just made these awesome cookies! Love at first bite!
Sara
I'm so glad you enjoyed them!!
Sara Too
These are the best peanut butter cookies I've ever made! Have had tons of compliments. I like to add Reese's chips and/or the Butterfinger baking bits. Today I found mini Reese's pieces, so that will be today's add-in. Thanks so much for a fabulous recipe!
Sara
I love your add-in ideas! I need to try it myself!! Thanks for the tips!
Jamie B
So I made these last Sunday I just felt like baking... They came out sooooo good!!! My husband LOVED them everyone who had them loved them.. I'm making them again tonight and I'm looking over the recipe and I found out I made a mistake last time I made the I used too much butter I used 1 cup not 1 stick. So I'm thinking that's what some people are also doing when the dough comes out too sticky. My husband told me to make the same mistake again her loves them! LOL
Sara
Too funny, Jamie! I'm so glad your husband enjoyed them. You'll have to decide which version you like better after you back off on the butter a bit. Let me know!
Olivia
I made these today and they are incredible! Thank you for sharing. This will definitely be my staple peanut butter cookie recipe from now on!
Sara
I think I need to make another batch of these this week! So glad you enjoyed them!!
Martina
Can i use regular white sugar instead?
Sara
You can use just white sugar, but the brown sugar makes the cookies more moist and give them a richer flavor and color. If possible, I would wait it out until you could grab some brown sugar!
Tamyra
Just made these today. They are amazing. I dipped mine half way in chocolate almond bark. My family says they taste like Reeses. I will definitely be making these again! Thanks for sharing.
Sara
I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed them! They're one of our favorites, too!
HEATHER
I used Namaste Gluten Free Perfect Flour Blend and they were awesome!
H
I'm excited to try this recipe. Most PB cookie recipes call for shortening. I love that this uses real butter and not a fake manufactured veg shortening.
Elvera
These are amazing, chewy, full of flavor and perfect with a glass of milk
Sara
I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Andrea
Hi there,
Your recipe looks very tempting for sure. I understand refrigerating the dough before you bake. But, I'm confused about letting them cool in the refrigerator AFTER baking. Is this a necessary step for them to set up? Is eating these warm from the oven an option?
Thanks for your help.
Sara
The refrigerating after they bake just helps them cool a bit faster. I stick the whole baking sheet in the fridge and they're much easier to remove. You can eat these warm from the oven, but they may fall apart when picking them up if you skip the cooling step.
Tanesha
Does the yield two mean two dozen? They look amazing
Sara
Yes, two dozen. However, many people who have made the recipe have been able to get many more out of the dough. I'm thinking they're making a smaller cookie. P.S. I fixed the recipe card so it reads a bit clearer.
Edith Gomez
I love the recipe , excellent cookies ....I love it 😉
Sara
I'm so glad you enjoyed them, Edith!
Heather
I came across your recipe and HAD to try the "World's Greatest" PB Cookie! Boy, oh boy, do these live up to their name!! My PB lovin' husband is going to be thrilled when he gets home and tastes this deliciousness! The recipe made around 40 cookies and I'm perfectly fine with that. Recipe is spot on! Thanks for sharing!
Sara
I can't wait to hear if your husband loves them as much as you, Heather! Thank you so much for such a sweet comment.