Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies are a classic treat that combines the rich, nutty flavor of peanut butter with a soft, chewy texture. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, they’re great for snacking, baking for a party, or gifting to friends and family.

Here’s a recipe for Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies:

Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (do not use natural or oily peanut butter)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Sugar Coating:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling the cookies)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Cream the Butter and Peanut Butter:
   • In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
3. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
   • Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
4. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
5. Shape the Dough:
   • Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. You can use a cookie scoop for even-sized dough balls.
   • Roll each dough ball in the 1/4 cup granulated sugar to coat it lightly.
6. Flatten the Cookies:
   • Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart.
   • Using a fork, gently press down on each cookie to create a criss-cross pattern. You can press down lightly for thick cookies or more firmly for slightly thinner ones.
7. Bake the Cookies:
   • Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown but the centers are still soft. The cookies will firm up as they cool, so be careful not to over-bake them.
8. Cool and Enjoy:
   • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

These peanut butter cookies come out thick, soft, and chewy, with just the right balance of sweetness and nuttiness. The fork marks give them that signature look and texture, while the sugar coating adds a little extra crunch.

If you’d like to make them even more special, you can add chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even drizzle them with melted chocolate after baking!