Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick, softened)
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups unbleached flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Sea salt (optional, for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Soften Butter: Soften the butter by microwaving it for about 20 seconds. If the butter isn’t quite soft yet, microwave for an additional 5 seconds to achieve a spreadable consistency.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and white granulated sugar. Mix them thoroughly until the batter becomes smooth and well blended.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix again until all these ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly stir in the unbleached flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix until just combined to form a cookie dough. Avoid over-mixing to keep cookies tender.
- Shape Cookie Dough: Scoop out the dough using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, about 2 tablespoons per cookie. Roll each portion into a ball and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Create Classic Fork Pattern: Using a fork, gently flatten each dough ball slightly, then create horizontal and vertical fork lines crossing over the top to form the traditional peanut butter cookie pattern.
- Sprinkle Sea Salt (Optional): If desired, lightly sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of each cookie to enhance the sweetness and add a subtle savory note.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 9 minutes. The cookies will look a bit pale and slightly under-baked when you take them out; this is intentional as they continue to firm up while cooling.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Do not overbake; cookies should be pale and slightly soft when removed from the oven.
- Using unbleached flour provides better texture and flavor.
- Sea salt topping is optional but recommended to balance the sweetness.
- You can substitute creamy peanut butter with natural peanut butter, but texture may vary.
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
