Description
These classic peanut butter cookies, inspired by Jimmy Carter’s grandmother, are rich, chewy, and packed with peanut butter flavor. With a perfect balance of sweetness and a crisscross fork-topped design, they are quick to prepare and bake, making them an ideal treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the peanut butter, softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, mixing until the batter is smooth and well incorporated.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can result in tough cookies.
- Form Dough Balls: Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and place them spaced about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Flatten Dough: Use a fork to gently flatten each dough ball, pressing them in a crisscross pattern to give the cookies their classic look and even baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, until the edges are set but centers still appear soft, which ensures a chewy texture once cooled.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up slightly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For batch consistency, ensure the butter is softened but not melted before creaming.
- Do not overbake cookies to retain that chewy center characteristic.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- For a nuttier texture, add chopped peanuts into the dough.
- If you prefer crispier cookies, bake an additional 1-2 minutes but watch closely.
