Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

Soft Peanut Butter cookies are chewy at the centre with a crispy edge. These Peanut Butter cookies packed with rich Peanut flavour just melt in your mouth.

These soft peanut butter cookies are a family favorite and always disappear quickly. They’re simple to make and deliver a perfect balance of texture: a chewy center with slightly crisp edges. The rich peanut butter flavor is prominent without being overpowering, making these cookies ideal for dunking in a glass of milk or enjoying with a cup of coffee or tea.

I make these often because we love peanut butter and these cookies vanish the moment they’re cool enough to eat. The recipe uses everyday pantry ingredients and requires minimal equipment—just a bowl and a spoon or electric mixer. The dough is forgiving, so even beginners can achieve excellent results.

Ingredients For Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies Dough

Variation

For a subtle sparkle and extra crunch, roll each dough ball in castor sugar before baking. You can also add chocolate chips for a classic twist, or use crunchy peanut butter for added texture.

Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 12 mins

Servings: 24 Cookies

These soft peanut butter cookies are chewy in the middle with a crisp edge and packed with rich peanut flavor. They are quick to prepare and bake, making them a perfect last-minute dessert or snack. The texture is tender and the flavor is balanced—sweet but not cloying.

Ingredients

¼ cup butter, softened
1 cup smooth peanut butter (unsweetened)
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup brown sugar, tightly packed
¾ cup castor sugar
1 large egg
1½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 tsp baking soda
Salt, a pinch

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and brown sugar. Beat together until smooth and well combined, about 8–10 minutes if using an electric mixer on medium speed. This step helps incorporate air for a lighter texture.
Add the egg and continue to beat for another 2–3 minutes until the mixture is pale and slightly fluffy.
Sift the all-purpose flour and baking soda together, then add them to the wet mixture along with a pinch of salt. Mix until a smooth dough forms—do not overmix.
Scoop heaping tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart. If desired, roll each ball in castor sugar before placing on the sheet.
Using the back of a glass or a fork, gently flatten each ball slightly to form discs. This helps the cookies bake evenly.
Bake for 8–9 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 3–5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Best Results

Room-temperature butter blends more easily with peanut butter and sugar, producing a smoother dough.
Do not overbake—cookies will continue to set as they cool. For a softer center, remove them just as the edges begin to color.
For a richer flavor, use natural peanut butter, but expect some differences in texture; you may need to chill the dough briefly if it becomes too soft.

Variations

Add ½ to 1 cup of chocolate chips for chocolate-peanut butter cookies, or fold in chopped nuts for extra crunch. For peanut butter blossom cookies, press an unwrapped chocolate candy into the center of each cookie immediately after baking.

Nutrition (per cookie)

Nutrition values are approximate and will vary based on exact ingredients and portion sizes.

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you tried these cookies, save the recipe and experiment with the variations to suit your taste. Share your favorite tweak and enjoy fresh, homemade peanut butter cookies anytime.