Grandma’s Ultimate Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies: A Timeless Classic Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma and irresistible taste of homemade peanut butter cookies. This classic recipe for Grandma’s Peanut Butter Cookies offers a delightful journey back to simpler times, delivering a soft, chewy, and rich treat that will make you feel instantly nostalgic. Perfect for any occasion, these easy peanut butter cookies are a staple in many households, cherished for their straightforward ingredients and the joy they bring. Whether it’s a family gathering, a school bake sale, a holiday celebration, or just a quiet evening snack, these old-fashioned peanut butter cookies strike the perfect balance of sweet and salty, boasting a deep, satisfying peanut butter flavor that will leave everyone craving more.

Why This Easy Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe Is The BEST

While there are countless cookie recipes out there, few evoke the same warmth and happiness as a batch of freshly baked Grandma’s peanut butter cookies. This particular recipe stands out for several compelling reasons:

• Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You won’t need to search for obscure items. This recipe relies on basic pantry staples you likely already have, such as butter, peanut butter, sugars, flour, and eggs. This convenience makes spontaneous baking sessions a breeze!
• Effortless Preparation: From mixing the dough to shaping the cookies, the steps are incredibly easy to follow. A simple electric mixer and a fork are your main tools, making this recipe approachable for bakers of all skill levels. Plus, there’s no dough chilling required, meaning you can go from craving to cookies in under 30 minutes!
• Achieves the Perfect Texture: These cookies are renowned for their ideal soft and chewy center, complemented by a delicately crispy edge. This beloved texture makes them a universal crowd-pleaser, satisfying everyone from toddlers to grandparents.
• Unforgettable Classic Flavor: The rich, robust peanut butter taste is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the sugars and a hint of salt, creating a truly irresistible treat that embodies comfort food at its best.
• Timeless Appeal: This isn’t just a cookie; it’s a piece of culinary history. It’s the kind of recipe that gets passed down through generations, creating new memories while honoring old ones. You’ll want to keep this recipe close by for years to come!

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies

Crafting these delectable chewy peanut butter cookies requires a careful selection of classic ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving the signature flavor and texture:

• Butter: You’ll need ½ cup (equal to one stick) of unsalted butter. Using real butter is key for its rich flavor and structural integrity, preventing excessive spreading during baking and contributing to a tender crumb. Ensure your butter is at room temperature for optimal creaming.
• Shortening: ½ cup of shortening works wonders for the dough texture. It helps the cookies maintain their shape beautifully in the oven and contributes to a softer, more delicate bite that simply melts in your mouth. For an extra boost of flavor, consider using butter-flavored shortening.
• Peanut Butter: The star of the show! One cup of creamy peanut butter is essential. While chunky peanut butter can be used for added texture, creamy varieties typically yield a smoother, more uniform cookie. Stick to classic brands like Jif or Skippy, as their consistent oil content is crucial for the cookies to turn out correctly. Natural, oil-separated peanut butters often have a different consistency that can lead to drier or greasier cookies.
• Granulated Sugar: One cup of granulated sugar provides sweetness and contributes to the slight crispness of the cookie edges. An additional 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar will be used for the iconic criss-cross topping, adding a delightful sugary crunch.
• Brown Sugar: One cup of packed light brown sugar is vital for the chewy texture and moistness of these cookies. Its molasses content adds depth of flavor and keeps the cookies wonderfully soft.
• Eggs: Two large eggs act as a binding agent, holding all the ingredients together and adding moisture and richness to the dough. Using room temperature eggs helps them incorporate more smoothly into the butter mixture.
• All-Purpose Flour: Two cups of all-purpose flour form the structural base of the cookie. Ensure you measure your flour correctly by spooning it into a measuring cup and leveling it off, rather than scooping directly, to avoid a dense cookie.
• Baking Soda: One teaspoon of baking soda is the primary leavening agent, helping the cookies puff up slightly as they bake, contributing to their soft interior.
• Salt: ½ teaspoon of salt is a non-negotiable ingredient. It enhances all the other flavors, particularly the peanut butter, and perfectly balances the sweetness, preventing the cookies from tasting overly sugary.

How to Make Grandma’s Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

Preparation is Key

To begin your cookie-baking adventure, first, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when your cookies are ready to bake, leading to even cooking. Next, line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Parchment paper prevents sticking, ensures easy cleanup, and promotes even browning, allowing your cookies to slide right off the tray after baking. Set these prepared sheets aside.

Crafting the Perfect Cookie Dough

1. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the room-temperature butter, shortening, and creamy peanut butter. Using either a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream these ingredients together for a full 2 minutes. This crucial step aerates the mixture, creating a light and fluffy base for your cookies.
2. Next, incorporate the granulated sugar and brown sugar into the creamed mixture. Continue to mix for an additional 2 minutes until everything is well combined and the mixture appears light and fluffy. This further incorporates air, contributing to the cookies’ tender texture.
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. This ensures the eggs are fully emulsified into the fat and sugar mixture, preventing a curdled appearance and contributing to a smooth, cohesive dough.
4. In a separate, medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures these ingredients are evenly distributed, so you don’t end up with pockets of salt or leavening in your cookies.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet peanut butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough once the flour is added, as overmixing can develop gluten, resulting in tough cookies. Mix only until no streaks of flour remain.

Scoop, Shape, and the Iconic Criss-Cross

6. Using a rounded tablespoon or a cookie scoop for consistency, drop spoonfuls of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.
7. Prepare for the signature peanut butter cookie criss-cross: wet a fork and dip it into the bowl with the extra 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Gently press the tines of the sugared fork onto the top of each cookie dough ball, creating a hash mark. Then, rotate the fork 90 degrees and press again to form a criss-cross pattern. Remember to re-wet the fork and dip it in sugar before pressing down on every cookie. This step not only adds a decorative touch and a sugary crunch but also helps to flatten the cookies slightly, ensuring even baking.

Baking to Golden Perfection

8. Place the baking sheets into your preheated oven and bake for 13-14 minutes. The exact baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. The cookies are done when their edges are lightly golden brown, but the centers still look slightly soft. Remember, slight underbaking is key to achieving that wonderfully chewy texture.
9. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking pan for 2 minutes. This allows them to set up slightly and prevents them from breaking when transferred.
10. After 2 minutes, carefully transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Cooling on a rack promotes air circulation, ensuring crispy edges and preventing sogginess.

Serve these warm, delicious Grandma’s peanut butter cookies immediately and enjoy the delightful taste of a homemade classic!

Expert Tips for Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

Achieving perfectly soft and chewy old-fashioned peanut butter cookies is simple with these helpful tips:

• Always Use Real Butter: Opt for high-quality unsalted butter over margarine. Butter not only imparts a superior flavor but also maintains its structure much better during baking, which is crucial for preventing your cookies from spreading too thin and ensuring they have a tender, moist crumb. Ensure your butter is at room temperature before you start creaming.
• Consider Butter-Flavored Shortening: While plain shortening works perfectly fine to achieve that desirable soft texture and prevent spreading, using butter-flavored shortening can really elevate the overall flavor profile of your cookies, adding an extra layer of richness without compromising texture.
• Stick to Classic Peanut Butter Brands: For the best results in terms of texture and consistency, I highly recommend using conventional creamy peanut butter brands like Jif or Skippy (or similar store brands). These brands have a consistent texture and oil content that is ideal for baking. Natural peanut butters, which often separate oil, tend to have a different fat-to-solid ratio, which can lead to drier, crumbly, or overly greasy cookies that spread unpredictably.
• Do Not Overmix the Dough: Once you add the flour, mix just until the ingredients are combined and no dry streaks remain. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense cookies instead of soft, chewy ones.
• Avoid Overbaking: This is perhaps the most crucial tip for chewy cookies. Peanut butter cookies should still look slightly soft and pale in the center when you pull them from the oven. The edges should be just lightly golden. They will continue to cook slightly and firm up as they cool on the baking sheet. Overbaking is the quickest way to end up with dry, crumbly cookies.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together more easily and uniformly, creating a smooth emulsion that traps air effectively, leading to a lighter, more tender cookie.

Recipe Card: Grandma’s Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

This classic recipe for Grandma’s Peanut Butter Cookies creates delightful, chewy treats perfect for any occasion. Made with simple ingredients, these old-fashioned cookies are easy to prepare and guarantee a nostalgic, irresistible flavor.

• Course: Cookies, Dessert, Treat
• Cuisine: American
• Keyword: Grandma’s Peanut Butter Cookies, Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies, Classic Peanut Butter Cookies
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 14 minutes
• Total Time: 24 minutes
• Servings: 36 cookies
• Calories: 168 kcal per cookie
• Author: Jessica & Nellie

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup shortening
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar (for topping)

Instructions

1. Prep: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, using a hand or stand mixer, cream together the butter, shortening, and peanut butter for 2 minutes.
3. Add Sugars & Eggs: Add the white and brown sugars and mix for another 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Scoop & Shape: Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets. Wet a fork and dip it in the 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Press the fork onto the top of each cookie dough ball to create a criss-cross pattern, re-wetting and re-sugaring the fork for each cookie.
6. Bake & Cool: Bake for 13-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers appear slightly set. Let cool on the baking pan for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Notes

For optimal freshness and taste, store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They are best enjoyed within the first 2-3 days.

To freeze, place completely cooled cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Nutrition Information (per serving)

Serving: 1 cookie | Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 92IU | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

How Long Do Grandma’s Peanut Butter Cookies Stay Fresh?

Once baked and completely cooled, these delightful Grandma’s peanut butter cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For the best flavor and texture, I recommend enjoying them within 2 to 3 days. However, they will remain fresh and enjoyable for up to a week if properly sealed.

Can I Freeze This Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! These chewy peanut butter cookies freeze beautifully, allowing you to enjoy them long after baking. To freeze baked cookies, ensure they are completely cool. Then, arrange them in a single layer in an airtight container or freezer bag, using sheets of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for a few hours. This makes them perfect for meal prepping desserts or having a stash of treats for unexpected guests.

Creative Variations for Your Classic PB Cookie Recipe

While the classic Grandma’s peanut butter cookie recipe is perfect as is, it also serves as an excellent base for delicious variations. Experiment with these ideas to put your own spin on this beloved treat:

• Add Chocolate: Peanut butter and chocolate are a match made in heaven! Stir in 1 cup of chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet, dark, or even white chocolate) into the dough during the last stage of mixing.
• Introduce Other Nuts: For an extra layer of crunch and flavor, consider adding ½ cup of chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts to the dough.
• Candy Mix-ins: Incorporate ½ cup of chopped peanut butter cups, M&M’s, or other favorite candies for a fun and colorful twist.
• Spice it Up: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can add a warm, cozy dimension to the peanut butter flavor.
• Dip or Drizzle: Once cooled, dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate or drizzle with a chocolate or white chocolate ganache for an elegant touch.

Making Peanut Butter Cookie Dough in Advance

Preparing this easy peanut butter cookie dough in advance is a fantastic time-saving trick, especially when planning for parties, holidays, or simply wanting fresh-baked cookies on demand. The dough can be made up to 2 days ahead of time. Simply prepare the dough as instructed, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, remove the dough from the fridge and let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows the dough to soften slightly, making it easier to scoop and shape. Then, proceed with scooping, forming the criss-cross pattern, and baking as usual for perfectly fresh cookies.

Discover More Delicious Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes:

If you love peanut butter as much as we do, you’ll be thrilled to explore other incredible variations. From chewy bars to festive M&M cookies, there’s a peanut butter treat for every craving. Here are some more recipes to try:

• TRAIL MIX PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
• PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE BARS
• PEANUT BUTTER SUGAR COOKIES
• PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL M&M COOKIES
• PEANUT BUTTER M&M COOKIES
• SNICKERS PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
• BEST MONSTER COOKIES
• CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE CUPS
• FIVE CHIP PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL COOKIES
• RICE KRISPIE CHOCOLATE CHIP PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
• PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE IN A MUG
• APPLE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
• CHEWY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

Grandma’s Peanut Butter Cookies remain a beloved treat for a reason: they are incredibly soft, intensely flavorful, and embody the comforting essence of a classic homemade dessert. This easy peanut butter cookies recipe, made with basic ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen, is a surefire way to bring warmth and smiles to anyone who tastes them. Enjoy the simple pleasure of these timeless delights!