There’s just something magical about the smell of freshly baked peanut butter cookies wafting through the house, isn’t there? I still remember the first time I made these delightful treats with my grandma. We’d spend the afternoon laughing and mixing, and I can still hear her saying, “A little more peanut butter never hurt anyone!” Trust me, that’s the secret to their irresistible flavor. What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is—just five ingredients! You don’t need any fancy tools or complicated steps, just a bowl, a spoon, and a craving for something delicious. So, if you’re ready to whip up a batch of the best peanut butter cookies ever, let’s dive into this easy recipe that’s sure to bring joy to your kitchen and your taste buds!
Ingredients List
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to cookie bliss! Here’s what you’ll need to make these scrumptious peanut butter cookies:
- 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky, your choice!)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
That’s it! Seriously, just five simple ingredients, and you’re on your way to cookie heaven. How easy is that?
How to Prepare Peanut Butter Cookies
Now that you have your ingredients ready, it’s time to bring these peanut butter cookies to life! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a delightful treat in no time.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
First things first: you’ll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is super important because it ensures your cookies bake evenly and come out just right. While the oven warms up, you can get everything else ready!
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and baking soda. I like to use a sturdy spoon or spatula to mix it all together until it’s well combined and smooth. You want to make sure there are no lumps of sugar or flour hiding in there! The smell of the peanut butter will start to fill your kitchen, and trust me, you’ll want to dive right in!
Step 3: Form the Dough Balls
Once your dough is mixed, it’s time to form small balls—about 1 inch in diameter works perfectly. I like to use a cookie scoop for this because it makes it super easy and keeps them all uniform. Place the dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each one because they’ll spread a little while baking.
Step 4: Flatten with a Fork
Next up, grab a fork and gently press down on each dough ball to flatten it out a bit. This is where the magic happens—create that classic crisscross pattern by flattening them in one direction and then again in the opposite direction. It not only looks great but helps them bake evenly too!
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Time to pop those beauties in the oven! Bake your cookies for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Keep an eye on them because they can go from perfectly baked to overdone pretty quickly! The centers might look a tad soft, but don’t worry, they’ll firm up as they cool.
Step 6: Cool Before Serving
Once they’re out of the oven, let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack or plate. This cooling time helps them set up and makes them easier to handle. Trust me, waiting just a little bit will be worth it when you take that first bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This peanut butter cookie recipe is a total game-changer! Here’s why you’re going to absolutely adore it:
- Quick to make: In just about 22 minutes, you can have warm, gooey cookies ready to enjoy!
- Few ingredients: With only five simple ingredients, it’s perfect for those days when you want something sweet without a long shopping list.
- Delicious flavor: The rich, nutty taste of peanut butter shines through, making each bite utterly satisfying.
- Perfectly chewy: These cookies are the ideal balance of crispy edges and a soft, chewy center—just the way a cookie should be!
- Kid-friendly: Not only are these cookies easy to make, but they’re also a hit with kids and adults alike!
- Customizable: Feel free to mix in chocolate chips, nuts, or even a sprinkle of sea salt for an extra flavor kick!
Trust me, once you try these cookies, you’ll be making them on repeat!
Tips for Success
Getting these peanut butter cookies just right is all about a few simple tips that’ll ensure your baking adventure is a sweet success!
- Use room temperature ingredients: If your egg and peanut butter are at room temperature, they’ll mix together more smoothly, giving you a better dough consistency.
- Don’t overmix: Once your ingredients are combined, stop mixing! Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and we want them to be soft and tender.
- Keep an eye on baking time: Every oven is different, so start checking your cookies at the 10-minute mark. They should be golden around the edges but still soft in the center.
- Let them cool: Resist the temptation to dig in right away! Letting your cookies cool on the baking sheet before transferring them helps them set properly.
- Experiment with mix-ins: Don’t be afraid to get creative! Throw in some chocolate chips, crushed nuts, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon for a fun twist.
With these tips in your back pocket, you’ll be whipping up the best peanut butter cookies ever in no time! Happy baking!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Once you’ve baked up a storm and your peanut butter cookies are all cool and ready to enjoy, the next step is figuring out how to keep them fresh! To store your cookies, simply place them in an airtight container. This helps keep them soft and chewy, just the way we love them. You can stack them on top of each other, but I recommend putting a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
If you want to keep your cookies for longer, you can also freeze them! Just wrap each cookie in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to two months. When you’re ready for a treat, just let them thaw at room temperature for a bit, or pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds for that freshly-baked warmth.
Trust me, there’s nothing quite like biting into a warm peanut butter cookie, straight from the microwave—it’s like a little hug for your taste buds!
Nutritional Information
Curious about the goodness packed into these delightful peanut butter cookies? Here’s a breakdown of the estimated nutritional values per cookie, so you can indulge while still keeping an eye on those numbers:
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sodium: 50mg
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 3g
Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary slightly based on ingredient brands or any delicious mix-ins you decide to add. But hey, a little indulgence never hurt anyone, right? Enjoy your cookies guilt-free!
FAQ Section
Got questions about peanut butter cookies? I’ve got you covered! Here are some of the most common questions I hear, along with my favorite answers:
Can I use natural peanut butter?
Absolutely! Natural peanut butter works great, but keep in mind that it tends to be a bit runnier than the regular stuff. Just give it a good stir before measuring, and you might want to adjust the baking soda slightly for the best texture.
What if I don’t have baking soda?
No worries! If you’re out of baking soda, you can use baking powder instead. Just use about 1.5 times the amount of baking powder (so about 3/4 teaspoon) to give your cookies a little lift. They’ll still turn out delicious!
How do I store my cookies for maximum freshness?
To keep your peanut butter cookies soft and fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay good for about a week—if they last that long! You can also freeze them for longer storage, just remember to wrap them well!
Can I add chocolate chips or other mix-ins?
Why did my cookies turn out flat?
If your cookies spread too much, it could be due to overly warm dough or not enough flour. Make sure to chill your dough for about 30 minutes before baking if it feels too soft. Also, check that your baking soda is fresh—it’s crucial for that perfect rise!
Imprimer
Peanut Butter Cookies: 5 Ingredients to Cookie Bliss
- Temps Total: 22 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
A simple recipe for delicious peanut butter cookies.
Ingrédients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix peanut butter, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and baking soda.
- Form dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet.
- Flatten each ball with a fork, creating a crisscross pattern.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Feel free to add chocolate chips if desired.
- Temps De Préparation: 10 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 12 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cookie
- Calories: 100
- Sucre: 8g
- De Sodium: 50mg
- La graisse: 5g
- Graisses Saturées: 1g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 4g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 12g
- La fibre: 1g
- La protéine: 3g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 10mg
Mots-clés: peanut butter cookies
