Name: Easy Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour (13 1/3 ounces; 385 g); 1 teaspoon (4 g) baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon (2 g) baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) kosher salt; 8 ounces unsalted butter (2 sticks; 225 g), at room temperature; 1 cup (240 ml) crunchy peanut butter; 1 cup packed light brown sugar (7 1/2 ounces; 215 g); 3/4 cup (5 1/4 ounces; 150 g) granulated sugar, plus 1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces; 100 g) for rolling; 2 large eggs; 1 1/2 cups whole roasted peanuts (5 ounces; 140 g)

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You know those days when you just need a cookie that hugs you back? That's exactly what these Soft Peanut Butter Cookies do. I've been making this recipe since my college days – back when my idea of "baking" was microwaving store-bought dough. But one desperate study session, I tried these, and wow! They're like little clouds of peanut butter happiness with these amazing crunchy surprises from the whole peanuts.

What makes them magic? They bake up soft (no hockey pucks here!), but still have that satisfying bite from the roasted peanuts. And get this – just 15 minutes to whip up the dough and 12 minutes in the oven, and you've got two dozen cookies ready to disappear. Perfect for when friends pop over unexpectedly or when you need a 3pm pick-me-up that doesn't come from the vending machine. Trust me, your kitchen's about to smell incredible.

Why You’ll Love These Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Listen, I know everyone claims their cookies are the best, but these Soft Peanut Butter Cookies? They’ve got some serious magic going on. Here’s why you’ll be obsessed:

Perfect Texture CombinationThat first bite is everything – the cookie itself is so soft it practically melts, but then you hit those crunchy roasted peanuts and it’s like a little party in your mouth. It’s the best of both worlds!
Simple Pantry IngredientsNo fancy ingredients here! Just peanut butter (the crunchy kind gives the best texture), flour, butter, and eggs – stuff you probably already have. I love recipes that don’t require a special grocery run.
Quick Baking TimeTwelve minutes. That’s all these babies need in the oven! From mixing bowl to cooling rack in under 30 minutes means cookie emergencies can be solved FAST.
The dough is practically foolproof – even if you overmix a little (we’ve all been there), these cookies stay tender.
They’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Kids go nuts for them (pun intended), and adults always ask for the recipe.

Seriously, if you love that classic peanut butter cookie taste but want something softer than your grandma’s version, this is your recipe. The sugar coating gives them this delicate crispness that gives way to pure softness – it’s cookie perfection.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Okay, let’s gather our cookie squad! Here’s everything you’ll need to make these dreamy Soft Peanut Butter Cookies. I promise, nothing weird or hard-to-find – just simple, delicious ingredients that work magic together.

2 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour (13 ⅓ ounces; 385 g) – Spoon and level it, don’t scoop! We want tender cookies, not hockey pucks.
1 teaspoon (4 g) baking soda – Make sure yours is fresh – it should fizz if you sprinkle some in vinegar.
½ teaspoon (2 g) baking powder – That little extra lift makes all the difference.
¼ teaspoon (1 g) kosher salt – Balances the sweetness perfectly.
8 ounces unsalted butter (2 sticks; 225 g), at room temperature – Seriously, let it soften naturally! Microwaved butter makes sad, greasy cookies.
1 cup (240 ml) crunchy peanut butter – My secret weapon! The peanut bits add amazing texture, but smooth works too if that’s your jam.
1 cup packed light brown sugar (7 ½ ounces; 215 g) – Pack it like you mean it – this gives that caramel-y depth.
¾ cup (5 ¼ ounces; 150 g) granulated sugar, plus ½ cup (3 ½ ounces; 100 g) for rolling – The rolling sugar makes them sparkle!
2 large eggs – Crack them into a separate bowl first – no one wants shell surprises.
1 ½ cups whole roasted peanuts (5 ounces; 140 g) – The crunch heroes! I like salted for that sweet-salty thing.

See? Nothing crazy! Just pantry staples ready to become something magical. Now let’s get mixing!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Alright, let’s make some cookie magic happen! Don’t worry – these Soft Peanut Butter Cookies are way easier than they look. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have perfect cookies every time.

Prep the Dough

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper – trust me, cleanup is so much easier this way.
Whisk together the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until they’re fully combined. Give it a little whisk dance – this keeps our Soft Peanut Butter Cookies from having any bitter baking soda pockets.
Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. About 2-3 minutes with a hand mixer should do it. This is where the magic starts – you want it looking almost like peanut butter frosting!
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Scrape down the sides of the bowl – sneaky unmixed bits love hiding there.
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients on low speed just until combined. The dough will be thick – that’s perfect! Overmixing makes tough cookies, and we want these babies SOFT.
Fold in the peanuts with a spatula. Don’t be shy – get those crunchy guys evenly distributed!

Shape and Bake

Scoop the dough: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out balls of dough (about 2 tablespoons each). Roll them between your palms – they don’t need to be perfect spheres, just roughly ball-shaped.
Roll in sugar: Spread that extra ½ cup of granulated sugar on a plate. Roll each dough ball in it until lightly coated. This gives them that delicate crispy exterior – it’s like the cookie version of a sugar donut!
Place on baking sheets about 2 inches apart. These guys spread a little, so give them space to breathe.
Flatten slightly with a fork in a crisscross pattern. Press just enough to make that classic peanut butter cookie look, but don’t squish them flat – we want thickness for maximum softness.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are just golden. The centers might look slightly underdone – perfect! They’ll firm up as they cool. (If you like crispier cookies, add 1-2 minutes, but I’m all about that soft life.)

Cooling for Perfect Texture

Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. I know, I know – waiting is hard. But moving them too soon makes them fall apart.
Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. This stops the cooking and lets them set up with that dreamy soft texture. The smell in your kitchen right now? Pure happiness.

Pro tip: Hide a few immediately – these disappear FAST. Now go enjoy your masterpiece! That first warm, peanut buttery bite is worth every second.

Delicious Variations of Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Okay, confession time – I can never leave a good recipe alone! These Soft Peanut Butter Cookies are amazing as-is, but sometimes you wanna mix things up. Here are my favorite ways to play with this recipe when I'm feeling adventurous (or when my pantry demands it).

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

Because peanut butter and chocolate are basically soulmates, right? Just fold in 1 cup of chocolate chips (I like semi-sweet) when you add the peanuts. The melty chocolate pockets take these cookies to dessert heaven. Sometimes I even do half chocolate chips, half chopped peanut butter cups if I'm feeling extra indulgent.

Smooth Peanut Butter Version

If you're team smooth peanut butter (no judgment!), just swap the crunchy peanut butter for smooth. You'll lose a bit of texture, but the cookies become even more melt-in-your-mouth tender. Bonus: this version is perfect for kids who might be weird about peanut bits. I like to sprinkle a few extra peanuts on top before baking for a little crunch contrast.

Other fun ideas? Try rolling the dough balls in cinnamon sugar instead of plain sugar, or add a pinch of cayenne for a sweet-heat kick. The base recipe is so forgiving – make it your own!

Serving and Storage Tips

Okay, let's talk cookie survival tactics! These Soft Peanut Butter Cookies are best fresh, but let's be real - sometimes you need to stash some away (or pretend you will). Here's how to keep them tasting amazing:

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days. Layer them with parchment paper so they don't stick together.
Want that just-baked softness? Pop a cookie in the microwave for 8-10 seconds - it's like magic!
For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp or give 'em a quick oven warm-up.
Pro tip: The dough balls freeze beautifully too! Just roll in sugar, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes.

But let's be honest - these rarely last long enough to worry about storage. I usually "accidentally" leave some out on the counter... and somehow they vanish!

Helpful Notes for Perfect Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Before you dash off to bake, here are my hard-earned cookie secrets to guarantee Soft Peanut Butter Cookie success every single time:

Butter temperature is KEY. If your butter's too cold, the dough won't cream properly. Too warm? Greasy cookie disaster. It should dent slightly when pressed but still hold its shape. (If you forgot to soften it, cut it into tablespoons and let it sit for 15 minutes - no cheating with the microwave!)
Set a timer! These cookies go from perfectly soft to overdone FAST. At 10 minutes, start watching like a hawk - they're ready when the edges are golden but centers still look slightly underbaked.
Natural peanut butter works, but... The oil separation can make cookies spread too much. If that's all you have, stir it really well and maybe add an extra tablespoon of flour.
Each cookie packs about 210 calories - totally worth it! They've got 4g protein too, so... basically health food, right?
If your dough feels sticky, chill it for 20 minutes before scooping. Hot kitchen? I sometimes keep the dough in the fridge between batches.

Remember - slightly underbaked is better than overbaked for that dreamy soft texture. Now go forth and bake with confidence!

Frequently Asked Questions

I get asked about these Soft Peanut Butter Cookies ALL the time - here are the answers to the questions popping up in my DMs and over the cookie plate at parties:

Can I Use Natural Peanut Butter?

You can, but be warned - the texture might be different! Natural peanut butter tends to make cookies spread more because of the extra oil. If that's all you've got, stir it really well to incorporate the oil, and maybe add an extra tablespoon of flour to the dough. The cookies will still taste amazing, just might be a bit flatter and crispier.

How Do I Keep Cookies Soft?

The secret weapon? An airtight container! Store cooled cookies with a slice of bread - the cookies absorb the bread's moisture and stay soft for days. Also, slightly underbaking helps (remember, they keep cooking on the tray!). If they do harden, a quick 10-second microwave zap brings back that just-baked magic.

Why Did My Cookies Spread Too Much?

Usually means your butter was too soft or your baking soda's old. Next time, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking, and test your leaveners - baking soda should fizz in vinegar!

Can I Freeze the Dough?

Absolutely! Roll into balls (don't sugar-coat yet), freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag. When ready to bake, roll in sugar and add 1-2 minutes to the bake time. Emergency cookies at the ready!

Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it – my ultimate Soft Peanut Butter Cookies that never fail to make people smile. Whether you're baking them for a party, a late-night snack attack, or just because it's Tuesday, these cookies are little bites of pure comfort. The best part? They're so easy that even if you're usually a "store-bought cookie dough" person (no shame - I was there!), you can totally rock these. So grab that jar of peanut butter and get mixing – your future self (and everyone around you) will thank you. Happy baking, friends!

Easy Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Why You’ll Love These Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients You’ll Need for Soft Peanut Butter Cookies