Classic Homemade Peanut Butter Cookies
A quick and easy recipe for classic peanut butter cookies with iconic fork marks, delivering a nostalgic, tender yet slightly chewy texture perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped nuts
- Optional: pinch of cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup peanut butter and 1 cup granulated sugar. Cream together using an electric mixer or sturdy spoon until smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat until fully incorporated, about 1 minute.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Fold in chocolate chips or nuts if using.
- Shape the dough into balls using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, placing them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet (about 20 cookies). Chill dough for 10 minutes if sticky.
- Dip a fork in granulated sugar and press down on each dough ball twice (vertically and horizontally) to create crisscross fork marks.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden and centers are soft.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Use fresh baking soda for best results. Chill dough if sticky for easier shaping and cleaner fork marks. Avoid overmixing after adding the egg to keep cookies tender. For vegan version, substitute egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, let sit 5 minutes).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: peanut butter cookies, classic cookies, fork mark cookies, easy cookies, homemade cookies, gluten-free cookies, vegan cookies option