Peanut butter cookies are one of my husbands favorite cookies. There is something charming about them. The rustic fork marks that are classic to this cookie, the smell of peanuts and the way they just melt in your mouth like no other. I’m always looking for new ways to make them so they are the perfect balance of sweet, savory and with a tender crumb.

Want a great peanut butter cookie but can’t seem to find the right recipe? Ever wonder what the secret ingredient is that makes them some tender in crumb where others tend to be heavy and a bit greasy? The key is shortening.

You can chose to make a cookie that tastes like oily cardboard by insisting on sticking with butter or you can splurge and eat a tender delicate cookie.

Do you love peanut butter cookies as much as my husband does? If so, check out his other favorite peanut butter recipe, buckeyes. They are easy to make and don’t even require you to turn on your oven!

Peanut Butter Cookies

An intensely peanut butter flavored cookie with a short crumb. A family favorite!

Print Recipe

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time15 minutes minutes

Total Time25 minutes minutes

Servings2 dozen

Calories 98.8

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ cup (187.5g) flour
• ½ cup (135g) peanut butter
• ½ cup (96g) shortening or butter
• ¼ cup (56g) brown sugar
• ¼ cup (50g) white sugar
• 1 large (50g) egg
• ½ tsp (2.5mL) vanilla
• ½ tsp (3g) baking soda
• ½ tsp (2.5g) salt

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F (180C.)
• Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.
• In large bowl, beat shortening, sugars and peanut butter until creamy.  Beat in the egg and vanilla until smooth. Stir in flour mixture just until blended. 
• Roll dough into 1" balls. Place on a baking sheet approximately 2" apart. Press down with the back of a fork to create the traditional criss-cross pattern.
• Bake 12 – 15 minutes until edges are golden brown. Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes; remove to wire rack to finish cooling before eating.

Notes

Shortening is preferred over butter for the traditional peanut butter cookie texture.

Shortening weighs less than butter: 1/2 cup shortening weighs 96g and butter weighs 113g.

Nutrition Facts

Peanut Butter Cookies

Serving Size

 

1 cookie

Amount per Serving

Calories

98.8

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

2.9

g

4

%

Saturated Fat

 

0.6

g

4

%

Sodium

 

122.9

mg

5

%

Carbohydrates

 

16.5

g

6

%

Fiber

 

0.3

g

1

%

Protein

 

2.7

g

5

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

* Calories provided as a courtesy and not guaranteed.