Quick and Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

If you’re looking for a quick and easy sweet treat, peanut butter cookies are the perfect solution. This classic cookie recipe requires only a few simple ingredients, and can be whipped up in no time, making it the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Plus, with a delicious nutty flavor and a chewy texture, these cookies are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

To make peanut butter cookies, you’ll only need a few basic pantry staples, such as peanut butter, flour, sugar, eggs, and baking soda. These cookies are also great for experimenting with different variations, such as adding chocolate chips or drizzling them with melted chocolate. So, whether you’re a novice baker or an experienced chef, follow these simple steps and you’ll have a batch of delicious peanut butter cookies in no time.

Ingredients

The first step to making easy peanut butter cookies is to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here are the things you’ll need to get started:

1. Peanut Butter: You can use either creamy or chunky peanut butter, depending on your preference. Make sure you have one cup of peanut butter.

2. Sugar: You’ll need ¾ cup of granulated sugar to sweeten the cookies.

3. Egg: Use one whole egg to bind the ingredients together.

4. Vanilla: For an added flavor booster, you’ll need one teaspoon of vanilla extract.

5. Flour: You’ll need one cup of all-purpose flour to give the cookies their structure.

6. Baking soda: Use half a teaspoon of baking soda to help the cookies rise while baking.

7. Salt: For a hint of saltiness, use a pinch of salt.

8. Milk: To give the cookies a chewy texture, add two tablespoons of milk.

9. Butter: Use four tablespoons of melted butter to help prevent the cookies from spreading too much.

10. Optional: If you like, you can add chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even raisins to the dough for added texture.

Instructions

Now that you have all your ingredients ready, it’s time to make the cookies. Here’s how to do it:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Mix them together until they’re well combined, ensuring you scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl.

3. In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

4. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the peanut butter mix, stirring them until they’re well combined. Add the milk and mix again. The dough should be soft and pliable.

5. Optional: If you choose to add any extras (chocolate chips, nuts, raisins), now is the time to fold them into the dough.

6. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to scoop the batter, and roll them into evenly sized balls. Place them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

7. Use a fork or spatula to press down on each ball of dough, making a criss-cross pattern on the top.

8. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

9. Take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet. Then transfer them onto a wire rack to continue cooling.

10. Your easy peanut butter cookies are now ready to enjoy! Serve them with a tall glass of milk. Store any leftovers in an airtight container.

Ingredients Needed

Making easy peanut butter cookies requires only a few ingredients. Here are the necessary components you will need to gather before starting:

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is the highlight of this recipe since it gives the cookies its nutty flavor and signature chewy texture. You can use any type of peanut butter that you prefer, but the natural and organic brands work best since they contain less sugar and no added preservatives.

Flour

Flour is needed to hold the cookie together and form its shape. For this recipe, you will need all-purpose flour or you can substitute it for almond flour, which will make a gluten-free version.

Brown Sugar

Brown sugar gives the cookie its softness and chewiness. You can substitute it with granulated sugar, but brown sugar adds a unique flavor that you won’t want to skip.

Egg

The egg is needed to bind all the ingredients together. It helps the cookie to rise, become fluffy, and gives it that golden color.

Baking Powder

Baking powder helps the cookies puff up and become fluffy. It is also responsible for giving the cookie a lighter texture.

Salt

Salt balances out the sweetness in the recipe. It enhances the flavor of the cookie by bringing out all the other flavors.

Milk

Milk or any other dairy-free milk substitute is used to make the dough stick together. You can add more or less milk depending on how sticky the dough is.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is added as a flavor enhancer. It makes the cookies smell and taste fantastic.

Chocolate Chips

Adding chocolate chips is entirely optional. You can add as much or as little as you’d like. Mini chocolate chips melt into the dough easier and create a smoother texture.

Butter

The butter needs to be softened or at room temperature before you start making the cookie dough. It gives the cookie a rich and creamy taste and soft texture.

Now that we’ve gathered all the necessary ingredients let’s start baking!

Ingredients you need to make peanut butter cookies

Peanut butter cookies are easy to make and require only a few basic ingredients. Here are the essentials you’ll need to bake the perfect batch of cookies:

Ingredients	Quantity
All-purpose flour	1 cup
Baking soda	1/2 teaspoon
Baking powder	1/2 teaspoon
Granulated sugar	1/2 cup
Light brown sugar	1/2 cup
Egg	1, large
Peanut butter	1 cup, creamy or chunky
Salt	1/2 teaspoon
Butter, unsalted	1/2 cup, softened
Vanilla extract	1/2 teaspoon

Baking peanut butter cookies – Step by step guide

Making peanut butter cookies is really easy. Just follow these simple steps and you will have delicious cookies in no time.

Step 1 – Preheat your oven

The first step to making perfect peanut butter cookies is to preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This allows the oven to reach the desired temperature while you prepare the dough.

Step 2 – Mix the dry ingredients

In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix them thoroughly with a whisk or a fork.

Step 3 – Beat the butter and sugar

In a separate mixing bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until it is light and fluffy. Add the peanut butter and continue to beat until it is smooth.

Step 4 – Add the egg and vanilla extract

Once the butter mixture is smooth, add the egg and vanilla extract to the bowl. Beat the mixture until the egg is fully incorporated.

Step 5 – Mix the wet and dry ingredients together

Now it’s time to add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and blend them well with a mixer or by hand until a dough is formed.

Step 6 – Roll the dough and bake the cookies

Roll the dough into balls of approximately two tablespoons each and place them on an ungreased baking sheet. Flatten the tops slightly with a fork and bake them in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Variations of peanut butter cookies

Peanut butter cookies are so tasty that it’s no surprise that many people have come up with their own variations on the recipe. Here are some ideas to help you mix things up:

1. Chocolate chip peanut butter cookies

Fold in some chocolate chips to the dough mixture to add a little bit of sweetness to the cookies.

2. Peanut butter kiss cookies

Place a Hershey’s kiss on the top of each ball of dough before baking to add an extra layer of yummy goodness.

3. Gluten-free peanut butter cookies

Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour to create cookies that are perfect for those with gluten allergies.

4. Peanut butter and jelly cookies

Mix in some jelly or jam of your choice to the cookie dough to create a PB&J flavor.

5. Peanut butter oatmeal cookies

Add in some whole grain oats to the mixture to create a hearty and textured cookie that is perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Conclusion

Peanut butter cookies are delicious and easy to make. Just follow the step by step guide and you will have the perfect homemade cookies for your friends and family to enjoy. Once you get the hang of the recipe, feel free to experiment with different variations to add extra flavor and texture to the cookies.

Happy Baking!

I hope you enjoyed learning how to make simple and delicious peanut butter cookies. Remember, even though they may look small, these cookies can bring big joy to your day. Don’t hesitate to bake another batch when you need a sweet treat or want to surprise your family and friends. Thanks for reading, and feel free to come back anytime for more tasty recipes and baking tips!