There are few things more comforting than a warm soft and chewy peanut butter cookie fresh from the oven. With their melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, signature peanut flavor, and irresistible chewy centers, these cookies are a beloved classic for good reason. They’re simple, nostalgic, and universally adored — the kind of recipe every baker should have in their collection.

This version is everything a peanut butter cookie should be: buttery, soft, thick, chewy, full of peanut flavor, and perfectly balanced with sweetness. No dryness. No crumbling. No complicated steps. Just pure, delicious peanut butter cookie perfection.

Whether you’re baking for holidays, gifting, meal prep snacks, or satisfying a craving, this recipe is foolproof, beginner-friendly, and consistent every time. In this fully detailed guide, you’ll find step-by-step instructions, expert baking tips, troubleshooting advice, variations, serving ideas, and everything necessary to make the best soft and chewy peanut butter cookies.

What Makes These Cookies So Soft and Chewy?

1. The Right Ratio of Peanut Butter to Butter

Using both ensures the cookies stay soft without becoming crumbly.

2. Brown Sugar for Chewiness

Brown sugar adds moisture and helps create a soft, bendable texture.

3. No Overbaking

The cookies should come out slightly underdone — they finish setting as they cool.

4. A Thick Dough

A thick dough prevents spreading too much and keeps cookies soft in the center.

Ingredients for Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

This recipe uses simple pantry staples — nothing fancy, nothing complicated. The magic is in the balance.

Basic Ingredients

• Peanut butter (creamy works best)
• Butter
• Brown sugar + granulated sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla
• Flour
• Baking soda
• Salt

Optional Mix-Ins

• Chocolate chips
• Peanut butter chips
• Chopped peanuts
• Mini chocolate candies

Ingredients

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Cream the butter and sugars.
   In a mixing bowl, beat butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy and smooth.
2. Add egg and vanilla.
   Mix until fully combined.
3. Add dry ingredients.
   Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt until a thick dough forms.
4. Shape the cookies.
   Roll dough into balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork for the classic crisscross pattern.
5. Bake.
   Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers look slightly soft.
6. Cool.
   Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

soft and chewy peanut butter cookies

Soft, thick, and perfectly chewy peanut butter cookies made with simple ingredients and classic flavor.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Servings: 24 cookies

Course: Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 180

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Cookie Dough

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg large
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.25 tsp salt

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet
• Wire rack
• Hand mixer or stand mixer

Method

 

1. Cream peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
2. Mix in egg and vanilla.
3. Add flour, baking soda, and salt to form a thick dough.
4. Roll dough into balls, flatten with a fork, and place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes until edges are set.
6. Cool 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

Do not overbake; cookies should look slightly soft in the center.

Expert Tips for the Best Texture

Don’t Overbake

The cookies will look soft when leaving the oven — this is perfect.

Use Creamy Peanut Butter

Natural peanut butter with oil separation doesn’t give the same texture.

Chill if Needed

If your dough is very soft, chill 15 minutes to prevent overspreading.

Use Brown Sugar for Extra Chew

Its molasses content adds both flavor and moisture.

Flavor Variations

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

Add 1 cup chocolate chips.

Peanut Butter Chunk Cookies

Mix in chopped roasted peanuts.

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Add chopped peanut butter cups to the dough.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Replace 1/2 cup flour with rolled oats.

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

Spread frosting or peanut butter between two cooled cookies.

Serving Suggestions

• With a glass of cold milk
• Sandwiched with ice cream
• On holiday cookie trays
• Crumbled over yogurt
• As lunchbox treats

Storage & Freezing

Room Temperature

• Store in an airtight container for 5–7 days.

Freezing Dough

• Roll dough balls and freeze up to 3 months.

Freezing Baked Cookies

• Freeze baked cookies up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature.

Why You’ll Make These Again and Again

• Soft + chewy every time
• Easy ingredients
• No chill required
• Ready in minutes
• Perfect peanut flavor
• Always crowd-pleasing

This recipe is everything you want in a peanut butter cookie — reliable, delicious, comforting, and simple.