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Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

These Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are easy to make and will always be a crowd-pleaser!

These Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are easy to make and will always be a crowd-pleaser!
These Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are easy to make and will always be a crowd-pleaser!

It’s time for the Sweetest Season Cookie Exchange! I’m so excited to have teamed up with some awesome bloggers to make sure that you have plenty of great cookies to choose from this season.

I know I’m always looking for a great recipe to bring to a cookie exchange or to send out as gifts so we have you covered! I’m definitely partial to these Classic Peanut Butter Cookies, but be sure to check out the other recipes here!


These Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are easy to make and will always be a crowd-pleaser!

When I was trying to decide what type of cookie to make for this awesome exchange, I wanted to do something that I knew was good and would be treasured in other families homes. That’s when I started raiding my mom’s recipe box to find cookies from my childhood.

Flipping through all the index cards, I found these Classic Peanut Butter Cookies. It was so fun to go back and make these! They’ve got and awesome peanut butter flavor (duh) and they’re rolled in sugar before you bake them! I love the crunchy outside from the sugar and the gooey middle that the cookies get.

These Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are easy to make and will always be a crowd-pleaser!

So I’ve always wondered why peanut butter cookies have the criss cross pattern and decided to do a little digging. Apparently, the first reference to the criss cross pattern dates back to 1932 (!!!) in the Schenectady Gazette.

Since peanut butter cookie dough can be dense, it helps flatten out the middle to ensure that the cookie bakes all the way through. I certainly didn’t know that before so enjoy that little fact at your next cookie exchange!

If you can’t get enough peanut butter, these chewy Scotcharoos are another quick and easy dessert bar to try!

These Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are easy to make and will always be a crowd-pleaser!

Looking for another classic cookie? Try out these Oatmeal Cookies without Butter!

These Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are easy to make and will always be a crowd-pleaser!

I made these cookies with about two tablespoons of dough and had about 18 cookies. If you’re looking to bring more to your cookie exchange, cut down to about a tablespoon and try baking between 10-13 minutes.

These Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are easy to make and will always be a crowd-pleaser!

Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

Yield: 18 cookies
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

These Classic Peanut Butter Cookies are easy to make and will always be a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar + 2 tbsp for topping
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cup flour
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375F.
  2. Use a hand beater to beat butter for 30 seconds.
  3. Add peanut butter, sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
  4. Add egg and vanilla and beat until thoroughly combined.
  5. Add flour, baking soda, and salt and beat until combined.
  6. Use 2 tablespoons of dough and form into a ball. Roll in sugar and use a fork to create "x" in top of cookie.
  7. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.
  8. Serve warm and enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

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Sam Ellis

Hey there! I’m Sam — a food scientist, recipe developer, and food photographer behind The Culinary Compass. With a background in food science and years of recipe testing, I create approachable dishes that highlight spices and flavor from around the world. My work has been featured by Taste of Home, Delish, BuzzFeed, and Marie Claire, and I love helping home cooks feel confident in the kitchen with simple, flavor-packed recipes. When I’m not in the kitchen (or behind the camera), you’ll find me traveling, exploring new cuisines, or hanging out with my dog, Tucker. Read more →

Ashley

Wednesday 21st of December 2016

I also made this and in no way did it look like dough. Until I worked it and I'm assuming the peanut butter oil helped. In the instructions it says to beat butter. I had assumed you meant peanut butter since there is no butter listed in ingredients. Did I miss something?

Sam

Wednesday 21st of December 2016

I'm really sorry to hear that it wasn't working for you! I'm going to go back and check the recipe to hopefully avoid more cookie disasters! I appreciate the feedback!

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