An easy recipe for Peanut Butter Cookies made with crunchy peanut butter. No chilling or rolling required. These cookies have a soft, chewy center and the “crunchy” refers to the type of peanut butter used.
My household is divided between chocolate chip and peanut butter cookie fans, so I alternate weekly to keep everyone happy.
This peanut butter cookie recipe is simple and fast: no chilling, no shaping, and an even ratio of butter, peanut butter, and sugars that makes it easy to double when you want a large batch.
The recipe was inspired by the peanut butter cookies commonly served at sandwich shops like Subway and McAlister’s Deli — cookies with a pleasant crunch from peanuts, a tender chewy center, and a robust peanut butter flavor. They were my husband’s favorite and the reason I developed this version.
Ingredients
- Butter – ½ cup (one stick) unsalted butter, softened.
- Peanut Butter – ½ cup crunchy peanut butter. Smooth peanut butter works too; this recipe has not been tested with natural peanut butter.
- Brown Sugar – ½ cup light brown sugar.
- Granulated Sugar – ½ cup granulated sugar.
- Egg – 1 large egg.
- Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon vanilla.
- Baking Soda – 1 teaspoon baking soda.
- Salt – ½ teaspoon salt.
- All-Purpose Flour – 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (unbleached preferred).
No crunchy peanut butter? Use creamy peanut butter and stir in ¼ cup chopped roasted peanuts for texture.
How to Make
Step 1: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter, peanut butter, and both sugars on medium-high speed for about 4 minutes until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat until combined, then add the vanilla. Scrape the bowl as needed.
Step 2: Reduce speed and mix in baking soda, salt, and flour until a dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
Step 3: Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 11–13 minutes, until edges are golden and centers are slightly soft. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Baking Tips
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for even baking and easy cleanup.
- To achieve a chewy, soft center, do not overbake.
- Cookies should be golden at the edges and slightly soft in the middle when you remove them from the oven.
- Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for about 3 minutes before moving them to a wire rack.
Storage
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. Baked cookies can also be frozen for longer storage—seal in a freezer-safe container or bag and thaw at room temperature when ready to eat.
📖 Recipe
Peanut Butter Cookies with Crunchy Peanut Butter
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup crunchy peanut butter (or creamy + ¼ cup chopped roasted peanuts)
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter, peanut butter, and both sugars on medium-high speed for about 4 minutes until fluffy. Beat in the egg, then the vanilla. Scrape the bowl as needed.
- Add baking soda, salt, and flour. Mix on low speed until a dough forms.
- Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 11–13 minutes, until edges are golden and centers are slightly soft. Let cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
Peanut Butter: Use crunchy or smooth peanut butter. This has not been tested with natural-style peanut butter.
Baking: Remove cookies when edges are golden and centers are still a little soft for the best texture.
Adding Peanuts: If using creamy peanut butter, stir in ¼ cup chopped roasted peanuts to add crunch.
Nutrition
Calories: 150 kcal
Carbohydrates: 18 g
Protein: 3 g
Fat: 8 g
I hope your family enjoys these homemade peanut butter cookies!
Alaine
More cookie recipes you may enjoy:
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Coconut, Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Reese’s Chip Cookies
- Easy Homemade Brownies
- Hearty Chocolate Chip Cookies