Joy of Cooking Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
There’s nothing better than biting into a warm, fresh peanut butter cookie. The smell in the kitchen, the soft and crumbly texture, and the mix of sweet and salty flavors—it’s a simple treat that feels like a cozy hug for your taste buds. Among the many recipes that promise to deliver this joy, the Joy of Cooking Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe stands out like a shining star.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls (at least two)
- Electric or hand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Cooling rack
- Fork (for creating that signature crisscross pattern)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet
- Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C), so it’s ready for baking. While it heats up, cover your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. This will stop the cookies from sticking and make cleaning up easy. Getting everything ready helps your cookie-making go smoothly.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
- Take a medium mixing bowl and combine your dry ingredients. Usually, this includes flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Whisk these ingredients together until fully blended. This step ensures that your cookies have a balanced texture and consistent flavor throughout.
Step 3: Cream Together the Butter, Sugar, and Peanut Butter
- Using a larger mixing bowl, cream together your butter, sugar, and peanut butter with an electric or hand mixer. Beat the mixture until it’s smooth and creamy, which usually takes a couple of minutes. This process creates a rich, flavorful base for your cookies and is key to their soft and chewy texture.
Step 4: Add the Egg and Vanilla
- Crack an egg into the bowl with your creamed mixture, then pour in a splash of vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients together until fully incorporated. The egg adds moisture and structure, while the vanilla enhances the flavor, creating a harmonious balance within the dough.
Step 5: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ones, stirring as you go. Mix until it forms a soft dough, but don’t mix too much, or your cookies might not turn out right. The dough should come together now, and you’ll smell the yummy peanut butter.
Step 6: Shape the Dough into Balls
- Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll it into small balls, roughly an inch in diameter. Place them evenly spaced on your prepared baking sheet. The uniform size will help the cookies bake evenly, ensuring that each one is as perfect as the last.
Step 7: Create the Crisscross Pattern
- Take a fork, dip it lightly in sugar to prevent sticking, and gently press it onto each dough ball to flatten it slightly. Rotate the fork and press again to create the iconic crisscross pattern on top. This step not only makes the cookies visually inviting but also helps them bake evenly.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
- Place the baking sheet in your preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on the cookies—they should appear slightly golden, especially around the edges, but still soft in the center. Overbaking will result in dry cookies, so remove them just as they set.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
- Take the cookies out of the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. This makes them firm enough to move without falling apart. Once they’re cool enough to touch, they’re ready to eat. Enjoy with a glass of milk or as a tasty treat.
Notes
This recipe is highly customizable, so feel free to experiment with mix-ins to suit your taste. Always ensure your ingredients are fresh and accurate measurements are taken for the best results. Patience during cooling ensures cookies set properly for the perfect texture. Enjoy the process as much as the delightful outcome!