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+ servings
thirteen peanut butter cookies on upside down sheet pan lined with parchment paper, with peanuts and white flowers around.

Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

Soft, chewy, and extra peanutty, these Peanut Butter Cookies come together in just one bowl with only 7 ingredients. They’re ready in 30 minutes or less and make the perfect anytime treat—simple, nostalgic, and seriously SO good.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 22 cookies
Calories: 163kcal

Ingredients

  • cup smooth peanut butter
  • 9 Tablespoons salted butter melted
  • 1 cup brown sugar firmly packed
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 large egg yolk room temperature
  • teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cups all purpose flour
  • teaspoon baking soda

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350℉/177℃.
  • Line sheet pans with parchment paper.
  • Place peanut butter in a small, microwave proof bowl.
  • Melt peanut butter.
  • Combine melted butter, melted peanut butter, brown sugar, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla in a medium bowl.
  • Whisk until smooth.
  • Mix in flour and baking soda.
  • Use a 1½ Tablespoon cookie scoop to portion dough on prepared pans.
  • Bake for 15 minutes, until edges are starting to brown.

Notes

Tips + Tricks

  • Don’t over mix once the flour is added. Less mixing = softer cookies.
  • Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies and consistent baking.
  • Use light-colored sheet pans for the most even bake—dark pans can brown the bottoms too quickly.
  • Do not overbake! When in doubt, take them out. The cookies should be just barely golden around the edges and still look soft in the center. That’s what gives them that dreamy, chewy texture.
  • Want perfect round cookies? While the cookies are still very hot, use a round cutter that’s larger that the cookie, bump it until it fits inside the cutter, then circle the cookie.

Substitutions + Add-Ins

  • Only have unsalted butter? No problem! Just add 3/16 teaspoon of salt to the dough to make up the difference.
  • Use crunchy peanut butter if you like a little extra texture.
  • Add chocolate chips, M&M’s, or peanut butter chips for fun mix-ins.
  • Sandwich two cookies with ganache, marshmallow fluff, or ice cream for a treat that’s next-level.

Storage

  • Store baked cookies in an airtight container or zip-top bag for 5–7 days.
  • To freeze: Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • You can also freeze the dough! Portion onto a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a bag or container. Bake from frozen—just add 1–2 minutes to the bake time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 94mg | Potassium: 72mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 167IU | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg