Description
These classic peanut butter cookies from Jimmy Carter’s grandmother are a nostalgic, sweet treat with a perfect balance of creamy peanut butter and rich brown sugar. Soft and chewy with a crisscross fork pattern, they’re an easy-to-make favorite that requires simple pantry ingredients and only 20 minutes to prepare and bake.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter, sugar, brown sugar, egg, baking soda, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add the Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the peanut butter mixture, one cup at a time, stirring continuously until the dough is cohesive and smooth without any dry flour remaining.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into small balls approximately 1 inch in diameter. Place them evenly spaced about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets to allow spreading during baking.
- Create the Crisscross Pattern: Using a fork, press down gently on each dough ball to flatten slightly and create a crisscross pattern on top, a classic peanut butter cookie signature.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges become lightly golden, indicating doneness.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Enjoy the cookies once cooled, perfect with a glass of milk or as a sweet snack any time of day.
Notes
- Use either creamy or chunky peanut butter based on your texture preference.
- For softer cookies, slightly underbake them and allow to cool on the cookie sheet.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- You can add chocolate chips or chopped peanuts for extra flavor and texture.
