Soft & Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

If you’re anything like me and love the classic combination of soft, chewy, and rich peanut butter flavor, this Soft & Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe will absolutely become your go-to. These cookies come out with that perfect balance of tender softness and a thick, almost fudgy bite that just melts in your mouth. They’re the kind of treat that feels homemade but has a bakery-level wow factor—ideal for cookie swaps, afternoon coffee breaks, or whenever you need a little comfort on a plate.

What makes this Soft & Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe stand out for me is how simple the ingredients are, yet they create something so special with minimal fuss. I love that the recipe uses both brown and granulated sugars for complexity and that rolling the dough in sugar adds a wonderfully crackly crust without losing softness inside. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll want to keep this recipe close for all your cookie cravings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Soft & Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe plays a role in achieving that soft, rich texture and deep flavor. I always recommend measuring your flour by spooning it into your cup and leveling it off for the best results—too much flour can make cookies dry. And don’t skip softening your butter; it blends better and helps keep the cookies tender.

• All-purpose flour: The base of the cookie dough, providing structure without toughness.
• Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough to be thick and soft.
• Salt: Enhances flavor, balancing the sweetness and highlighting the peanut butter.
• Unsalted butter: Softened room temperature butter is key to cream with sugars smoothly.
• Light or dark brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor that keeps cookies chewy.
• Granulated sugar: Used both inside the dough and for rolling, it adds sweetness and a slight crunch outside.
• Large egg: Acts as a binder and gives richness—make sure it’s at room temperature for best mixing.
• Creamy peanut butter: Use a good quality creamy peanut butter for smooth texture and classic flavor.
• Pure vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor beautifully with a warm, aromatic hint.

Variations

I love experimenting with this Soft & Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe depending on my mood or the occasion. The best part is how flexible it is—you can add your own spin without losing that soft, thick cookie goodness.

• Add chocolate chips: I often mix in semi-sweet chocolate chips for a melty, chocolatey surprise. It’s an instant upgrade for peanut butter lovers.
• Use crunchy peanut butter: For some added texture, swap creamy for crunchy peanut butter. It gives extra bite with peanut chunks anywhere in the cookie.
• Skip rolling in sugar: If you prefer a softer exterior, you can skip the sugar rolling step. The cookies will still be tender and rich.
• Make it vegan: You can substitute the butter for plant-based margarine and use a flax egg instead of a chicken egg to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
• Add a sprinkle of sea salt: Before baking, sprinkle a little flaky sea salt on the top. The salt contrast enhances the sweet and nutty flavors beautifully.

How to Make Soft & Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Mixing Bowl

Before you start, make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature—that helps everything come together more smoothly. I like to pre-measure all my dry ingredients into a bowl: flour, baking soda, and salt, then set it aside. This little step saves you from scrambling during mixing.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes around 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial because creaming in air helps your cookies get that tender, soft texture.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Beat in the egg, then the peanut butter, and finally the vanilla extract until everything is fully combined and smooth. Don’t rush—make sure the peanut butter is fully incorporated so each cookie has that rich, even flavor we’re after.

Step 4: Mix in the Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix here—overworked dough can produce tougher cookies. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky, perfect for forming into balls.

Step 5: Shape and Roll

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop out generous tablespoons of dough and roll each into a ball. Roll them in the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar—this step gives a sweet, crisp outer layer that contrasts the soft interior so well. Place them spaced well apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake for 10-12 minutes. You want the edges to be set but the centers still look a little soft—they’ll firm up as they cool. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This resting time is pure magic for texture.

How to Serve Soft & Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple to let the cookie shine, but occasionally I top each cookie with a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt or press a half peanut into the center before baking for a cute presentation. These little touches elevate the flavors and look enticing when serving guests.

Side Dishes

These cookies go perfectly alongside a tall glass of cold milk, but I also love pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a warm espresso for a cozy dessert. They hold up well and bring a nostalgic, comforting vibe to any snack time.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist during holidays or parties, I like to sandwich two Soft & Thick Peanut Butter Cookies with Nutella or peanut butter frosting between them. You can also drizzle melted chocolate on top and sprinkle with crushed peanuts for a fancy look without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—this keeps them soft and chewy for about 4-5 days. If they start to firm up, just pop them in the microwave for 10 seconds, and they’re good as fresh again.

Freezing

One of my favorite tricks is to freeze the cookie dough balls before baking. I keep them separated on a tray until firm, then transfer to a sealed bag or container. When I want fresh cookies, I just bake them straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time. Super convenient and always delicious.

Reheating

If you have leftover baked cookies that have lost a bit of their softness, reheating them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds works wonders. You can also warm them briefly in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes, which refreshes that freshly-baked texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Soft & Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe has become my reliable little treasure whenever I crave a comforting, nostalgic treat that’s easy to whip up but always satisfying. I love sharing these cookies with friends because their soft, tender texture – combined with that unmistakable peanut butter flavor – never fails to bring smiles. I’m confident you’ll enjoy baking and eating them just as much as I do, and I can’t wait for you to have this recipe in your kitchen repertoire.

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