There’s a foolproof way to bake soft and chewy peanut butter cookies. That’s to under bake them slightly. That’s it. Baking a batch of peanut butter cookies until they “look” done is deceiving and creates a crunchy result.
How to Make Homemade Peanut Butter Cookies
I’ve had this peanut butter cookie recipe in my binder since my kids were little, and my oldest is 25. Whenever my father in law would visit he would ask for these cookies. While we love making these peanut butter chocolate chunk bars, the classic peanut butter cookie is the bomb.
My entire family loves them and anyone else who happens to try them does too. They never make it off the cooling rack and into a container, they are always devoured too fast!
Smooth or Rustic?
You can make your cookies nice and neat or give them a more rustic look, either way, they taste great. For neat as a pin cookies, scoop the dough out with a cookie scoop and roll the dough lightly in the palms of your hands. For rustic, just release from the scooper and leave as is.
Shortening vs Butter
There is shortening in this recipe (I discovered several years ago this recipe originates from the back of the Crisco can). I have used both plain vegetable shortening and butter flavored shortening, however, I have never tried substituting butter. As the saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” ;) If you would like to try with butter, I’d love to hear your results.
Baking Notes
When you bake these, start with a small batch and check them after 7 minutes. Mine are always perfect at 8 minutes. They will look a little underdone and puffy. Once you remove them from the oven and let them cool a bit, they will relax and settle.
Ingredients for Peanut Butter Cookies
from the back of the Crisco container
- 1/2 cup shortening (or butter flavored shortening)
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1 egg
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
Helpful Kitchen Tools
If you’re looking for more peanut butter cookie ideas…
- Try my tweaked Nutella version of these – Peanut Butter Nutella Cookies.
- Maybe you prefer a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie!
- These Peanut Butter Corn Flake Cookies look amazing too.
- If you prefer not to bake, these Peanut Butter and Corn Chip No Bake Cookies are right up your alley!
This post was originally published on this blog on May 25, 2010.
Peanut Butter Cookies
Who doesn't love a fresh batch of homemade soft and chewy peanut butter cookies? Well if you're someone who does, we've got the perfect recipe for you!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup shortening or butter flavored shortening
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
- 3 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1 large egg
- 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Combine shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar, milk and vanilla in large bowl. Beat with electric mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add egg. Beat just until blended.
- Combine flour, salt and baking soda. Add to creamed mixture at low speed. Mix just until blended.
- Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls (using a cookie scoop works great) 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet. Flatten slightly in crisscross pattern with tines of fork.
- Bake for 7 to 8 minutes, or until set and just beginning to brown. DO NOT OVERBAKE. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies to racks to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts
Peanut Butter Cookies
Amount Per Serving (2 cookies)
Calories 111 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 104mg 4%
Potassium 55mg 2%
Total Carbohydrates 13g 4%
Sugars 8g
Protein 2g 4%
Vitamin A 0.2%
Calcium 1.2%
Iron 2.6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This post was originally published on this blog on May 25, 2010.
Amanda Formaro
President at Amanda's Creative Studio, Inc.
Amanda Formaro is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four grown children. She loves to bake, cook, make kid's crafts and create decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years. She is also a craft book author five times over and product developer as well as the owner of FunFamilyCrafts.com. You can find her on social media by using the buttons to the left!
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Alex says
Are you sure it’s not 1 TEASPOON of vanilla? A tablespoon seems to be rather a lot….
Amanda Formaro says
I’m sure :)
Rhonda says
These cookies are excellent!! Thanks for the recipe…it’s a keeper!
Elena says
Can you make peanut butter cookies without shortening and made 24 cookies?
Amanda Formaro says
I have heard of others using just butter. I have not personally tried it myself, but others have said it works fine.
Sue says
This hands down the best peanut butter cookie I have ever made. And at Abe 65 and a lot of cookies baked that’s saying something!
Amanda Formaro says
This is definitely a foolproof winner, the secret is to not over bake them! :)
Carrie says
I cannot sleep so I was going to bake my husband some cookies.
I was sad to find that I didn’t have any butter.
I came across this and have used this recipe before.
However, I have never tried adding chocolate chips to it.
Can you add chocolate chips to this recipe without any other alterations? Thanks.
Amanda Formaro says
I have not tried that, but I think it could be done. In fact, now I want to try it!
Natalie says
YUM! These cookies look delicious!
Kelley says
These are in the oven right now and I can’t wait until they’re done!!!! Judging by the cookie dough (I can never help myself) this will be my new go-to recipe. I added some semi-sweet chocolate chips to cater to my tastes. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!!!
Kim says
How many cookies does this recipe make? Need to gauge whether I should double for the size of our crowd.
Amy Alusa says
I’ve used this recipe from the Crisco can for years….and have never found one that even compares. This recipe is THE VERY BEST!
Sarah Chickee says
I just tried these. I made the Nutella version, but since I didn’t have Nutella, I used chocolate spread instead.
They. Are. So. Good. OMG, I love them. Thanks so much for posting the recipe, these are going in my recipe book for many future uses.
Amanda Formaro says
So glad you liked them Sarah, thank you!
Donna Chelette says
The peanut butter cookies had a great taste my family love it. But mine were very flat. How can I make it a lil thick
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Donna! Without knowing all the steps you took to make yours I can’t really say for sure, but in my experience flat cookies are usually the result of butter being too soft, or worse, melted when it’s added to the dough. Did you use shortening or did you substitute with butter? Also, if you flatten them too hard with your fork before baking that can make them come out too flat as well.
Madonna says
These on cookies r the best and r easy to make thank u .
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Madonna, so glad you liked them!
April says
These pb cookies are simply the best! I’ll never have the need to search for another pb
cookie recipe. I made two batches, one for the kids and my husband and one I secretly hid away for myself…………….afterall, I can’t let em know I’ve cheated on my diet, now can I? ;)
Amanda Formaro says
ha ha, I know how you feel April! So glad you like them, they are a favorite here too :)
Katie says
Ah-may-ZING! This will be the only PB cookie recipe I use. Super moist and chewy. And I used 1/2c butter instead of shortening. They were wonderful. Thank you!!
Amanda Formaro says
So glad you loved them as much as we do Katie!
Rita says
OMG! I was looking for a good recipe that I could add peanut butter morsels to and just found it. My son said they are heavenly and I have to agree with him. So soft and moist. Will definitely be making again!
Heather says
Love Love Love these cookies. Made a batch this morning and looks like Im going to have to make another batch soon. My cookie monsters LOVED them. Thank you sooo much for posting such awesome recipies
jessi says
Tried today. They are simple and delicious!
Jessi says
I got this recipe off a container of Jiff peanut butter a few years ago and have always used butter instead of shortening without any problems. They are my favorite PB cookies and I’m going to try the chocolate variant this afternoon.
Amanda says
Oh wow it’s on Jif’s packaging too? I first saw it on Crisco. It’s definitely been around a while!
Merita Arnold says
I did try the cookies with the butter instead of crisco and they were wonderful. Can’t stop eating them…. I just had to try it just to see how they would turn out and they were GREAT!!!!!
Amanda says
That’s great! Thanks for letting us know Merita!
Love to Bake says
I just made these cookies and they are so fabulous I had to comment. Even though I always strive to get chewy cookies vs. crispy ones, I usually end up with crispy. I followed this recipe exactly and baked them for 7 minutes. I made them a little larger than a heaping teaspoon, probably more like a semi heaping tablespoon, and they came out perfect. They look just like the pictures above and are CHEWY!! Thanks for a terrific recipe.
Amanda Formaro says
That’s marvelous thanks so much! Glad you loved them as much as we do!
Katie t says
I love soft pb cookies unfortunately my husband is not much of a fan. However, we found a family pleaser in pbs cookies that use same recipe buy cooked in muffins pan then 2mins before its done peanut butter cups placed in each. The result is soft chewy cookie with creamy peanut butter cup. Just a humble suggestion from a pb cookie lover
Amanda Formaro says
Sounds yummy! :)
Nelle Meers says
I made these cookies last weekend and they were THE BEST EVER!!!!!!!!!!! this shall always be my go to recipe. I topped mine with some left over xmas chocolate truffles and it made them even more incredible. These cookies have also increased my popularity amongst my friend and family ;-). Thanks for sharing!!!
Amanda Formaro says
Love the truffle idea! So glad you loved them as much as we do!
Hope says
I used this recipe, except I added chocolate chips, for my wrestling team and the boys LOVED them! Thank you!!!
Amanda Formaro says
Fabulous! Glad they liked them!
Sarah E. says
Chewy cookies are the best!
Stopping by from the Cookie Party.
Amanda Formaro says
I agree, love the chewy ones!
Kira @ Pretty in Fiction says
Ha! Hi! So I found this blog looking for a good peanut butter cookie recipe for my mom (because her baking holiday cookies and not baking PB cookies is just wrong. She would always bake those when me and my brothers were growing up, b/c they were her favorites, but she lost her recipe years ago), and I must say I have fallen in love. With your blog. It’s simply gorgeous, and all the recipes I’v flipped through so far look and sound delicious and fun to make. Definitely going to have to try some out, myself.
Now following. Just so you know I’ll be back. :D
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Kira – so glad you found the recipe!
Autumn says
I’m making these right now! :) So very good. Thumbs up! :)
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Autumn, glad you like them! :)
Kandy says
So, I lost my peanut butter cookie recipe and have been trying all the recipes under the sun to get my perfect cookie back. These peanut butter cookies are beast! They are so good, from texture to taste, it’s amazing. I was skeptical simply because of so many failed recipes claiming their amazing and then turning into flat hard blobs…but these truly are just that, amazing. They are soft, tasty, and just perfect. I rolled my cookies and marked them with a fork and they are unimaginably good. Even the fork markings take perfectly to these cookies…they are simply perfect peanut butter cookies.
Amanda Formaro says
Thanks Kandy, what a great comment! So glad you enjoyed them so much :)
Kandy says
Well, thank you for the recipe! I am going to try to make them with chocolate chips. I do not think I will change anything for the recipe just add them in the batter, or maybe on top. Do you think the batter should be adjusted at all?
Julia says
How many cookies does this recipe make?
Kathy says
I used butter, and WOW!!!!! What awesome cookies…and a touch more peanut butter….I’ve made peanut butter cookies for ages, (Not a much as Chocolate Chip cookies my all time favorite!!!!) But this recipe is the best by far, and I am a cookie maker…Sugar, Snickerdoodles (two of my adult sons’favorites) I’ve two son’s in the service and I make cookies and send them to them, and I tell them they have to share, and what stories I hear….there going to love these peanut butter cookies….Thanks……
Amanda Formaro says
So glad you enjoyed them as much as we do! While I certainly can’t claim stake on the recipe, I’m glad I was able to share them with everyone :)
Amanda says
Yes you can, I have made that same substitution many times :)
Lois says
Can I use regular, not butter flavored crisco?
Amanda says
Thanks so much, glad you loved them too!
Anonymous says
I don't care where this recipe came from – it's great. What I really needed from this was the baking time. Mine were perfect at 7 minutes. I really appreciate the tip because I've been looking for a good chewy peanut butter cookie recipe forever. Thanks so much.
Barb, sfo says
Spectacularly delicious!
Amanda says
OMG! Right you are! I have a can of butter flavored Crisco here and I'll be danged if it isn't on the back of the container. I have had this recipe written in my binder for so many years I forgot where I got it :0) Thanks Anon, I will credit it right now :)
Anonymous says
this is the same recipe as the ones on the crisco shortening bars.
Amanda says
Cory – wish I worked with you LOL!
Anonymous – Yes, a tablespoon probably sounds like a lot, hadn't though to make a note about that. Good point! Glad you loved them, I know we do here! :)
Anonymous says
I made these cookies yesterday, and they were just how I wanted them to be – soft and delicious. BUT I didn't believe you when you said a tablespoon of vanilla, so I halved that. But, yeah – they could have used a tablespoon. Still yummy with half, though.
Culinary Cory says
Cookies have become a great way of getting things done at my work. If I'm about to ask for someone to do a huge project, it immediately follows with a "I'll bake you cookies." It works every time. I'm going to have to bookmark these.
[email protected] says
So that's the secret. I will definitely be trying this recipe and setting the timer for 8 minutes.
Chow and Chatter says
these look great thanks for the comment on Turkey lol Rebecca
The Cooking Photographer says
Just bake them less? That makes sense to me! I'm going to try this thank-you!!
Laura
Sook says
I haven't had peanut butter cookies in so long! Yours look so good. yum!
Melissa says
These sound so good. I think I will go make them… thanks!
Valen says
Oh yum! I love pb cookies, these look so good!
Bridgett says
I always seem to over bake peanut butter cookies so I am going to take your advice. These look so tasty!
Megan says
Wrap me up a dozen please! I got milk.
LDH says
I love peanut butter every way and my oldest grandson loves peanut butter cookies. We will have to try your recipe. An 18 year old recipe has to be a really good one :)
Barbara Bakes says
I haven't made PB cookies for so long. Yours look perfect. I'm off to checkout the Nutella ones. I'm in love with it.
Barbara @ moderncomfortfood says
A classic peanut butter cookie such as yours served with a glass of milk in the afternoon just seem to make all right in the world. The crossed fork marks on the top, a must, always make me feel happy, no matter what kind of day I've had. Thanks for sharing, and I love the Nutella idea too!
Memória says
I've been craving peanut butter cookies and then you made this!! ARGH! hahaha They look incredible.
Katrina says
Is this the same recipe you use for those soft pb/Nutella cookies? I've made those with all butter. GREAT cookies.
Ingrid says
I like 'em rustic and right off the cooling rack! :) The only thing better would be sandwiching some vanilla ice cream between two cookies.
~ingrid
Grumpy and HoneyB says
My all time favorite recipe for Peanut Butter Cookies calls for shortening too. They are delicious!
Whitney says
They look amazing! I bake peanut butter cookies at my restaurant, and we use butter, not shortening. The result will be much flatter and wider as opposed to fluffy! (think the kind you'd find at a coffee shop, etc.)
If you want to try it, you can always do 1/2 butter, 1/2 shortening. You might like the result!
http://www.zenandgoodfood.blogspot.com
Mags says
Soft and chewy, just how I like them. I think you are right….they are perfect!
Sue Sparks says
These are a classic, and a favorite! They look so good! I just made some PB sandwich cookies:)
jose manuel says
Te han quedado estupendas. Un saludo
5 Star Foodie says
These look super yummy!
Jenn @ BentoForKidlet says
Yes! I love soft peanut butter cookies and now I know the secret! woo!
Maria says
I love a soft, chewy PB cookie. These look perfect! Thanks!