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Peanut Butter Cookies A close-up stack of peanut butter cookies, golden brown with fork-pressed ridges; the top cookie is broken in half, showing a soft, crumbly interior against a neutral background.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Soft, delicious peanut butter cookies with a perfect balance of sweetness and texture.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
chill_time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 30
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 110
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps with texture
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar adds moisture and richness
  • ½ cup peanut butter smooth or chunky, provides flavor and texture
  • ¼ cup shortening helps with tenderness and texture
  • ¼ cup salted butter softened (adds richness and flavor)
  • 1 large egg binds the ingredients together
  • 1 ¼ cups Gold Medal™ All Purpose Flour all-purpose flour for structure
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda helps the cookies rise
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder gives a lighter texture
  • ¼ teaspoon salt enhances flavor
  • Additional granulated sugar for rolling the dough balls

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, beat together granulated sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, shortening, butter, and egg using an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
    Glass bowl filled with peanut butter cookie ingredients including flour, sugars, butter, egg yolk, and peanut butter on a wooden board.
  2. Stir in flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until just combined. Be cautious not to overmix the dough to ensure a light and fluffy texture.
  3. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 2 hours or until firm. To test, roll a small amount into a ball it should hold its shape. If the dough is too soft, refrigerate for an additional 30 minutes.
  4. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Shape the dough into 1 ¼-inch balls and place them about 3 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Keep the remaining dough balls chilled while baking to prevent them from spreading too much.
  5. Place additional sugar in a small bowl. Dip a fork in the sugar and press it into each cookie ball in a crisscross pattern, re-dipping the fork as needed to prevent sticking.
    Fork pressing into a soft peanut butter cookie, showing crumb texture and classic crisscross pattern.
  6. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
  7. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
    Peanut butter cookies with crisscross fork marks cooling on a black wire rack, photographed from above.
  8. Let the cookies cool completely, about 30 minutes, before storing them in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 110kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 85mgPotassium: 90mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 40IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

These cookies are perfect for any occasion, offering the ideal mix of soft and chewy texture with just the right amount of sweetness. If you like your cookies crispy, leave them in the oven for an extra minute.

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