Classic Peanut Butter Cookies
In short: Peanut butter cookies with crisp edges, a tender middle and the classic fork crisscross, made with butter, peanut butter and two sugars. It takes about 26 min in total and makes 24 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 11 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 26 min
- Servings
- 24
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 140 kcal
The fork marks on a peanut butter cookie are not just decoration. The dough is dense and barely spreads, so pressing it flat helps the center cook through. This recipe uses both butter and peanut butter, plus brown and white sugar, for cookies that are tender inside with a slightly crisp edge. The dough takes 10 minutes to mix and needs only a short chill, which makes these among the easiest cookies to bake with children.
Instructions
- Beat the butter, peanut butter and both sugars for 2 minutes, until light and creamy. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
- Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt together, then stir them into the dough until just combined. The dough will be soft.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes so it is easy to roll. Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll the dough into walnut-sized balls of about 30 g, then roll each one in the extra sugar. Place them 5 cm (2 in) apart.
- Dip a fork in sugar and press each ball twice, in opposite directions, to make a crisscross. Flatten them to about 1.5 cm (1/2 in) thick.
- Bake for 10 to 11 minutes, until the edges look golden and the tops are set but still slightly soft.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. They crisp up as they cool.
Tips
- Use regular smooth peanut butter. Natural peanut butter that separates makes a crumbly dough unless you stir it very well first.
- For a different look, skip the fork marks and press a few chocolate chips or a roasted peanut half into the top of each ball.
Questions and answers
Why do peanut butter cookies have fork marks?
The dough is thick and does not spread much. Flattening it with a fork lets the center cook through in the same time as the edges.
Why are my peanut butter cookies crumbly?
The dough is probably too dry. Weigh the flour, use a well-stirred smooth peanut butter and pull the cookies when the tops look set but still soft.
Can I freeze peanut butter cookie dough?
Yes. Roll the balls, freeze them on a tray and store them in a bag for 3 months. Bake from frozen for 1 to 2 minutes longer.
How long does it take to make Classic Peanut Butter Cookies?
About 26 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 11 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Classic Peanut Butter Cookies?
About 140 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 16 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 140 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 16 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Sodium | 100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
