Easy Alton Brown Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe Everyone Loves

Alton Brown’s peanut butter cookies represent the pinnacle of comfort dessert crafting with their rich, nostalgic flavor profile.

These classic treats merge simplicity and indulgence in a single magical bite.

Passionate bakers understand the delicate balance of ingredients that transform ordinary pantry staples into extraordinary confections.

Smooth, creamy peanut butter serves as the cornerstone of this beloved recipe, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture that sparks childhood memories.

Each carefully measured component contributes to a harmonious blend of sweetness and nutty depth.

The magic happens when carefully selected ingredients dance together, producing cookies with crisp edges and tender centers.

Professional techniques elevate these cookies from mundane to magnificent, ensuring consistent deliciousness with every batch: Prepare to fall in love with baking perfection.

Peanutty Essentials: Cookie Ingredients

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Essential for sweetness and cookie texture, with brown sugar adding moisture and depth of flavor.

• Peanut Butter: Creamy or chunky style works best, main flavor and binding agent for the cookies.
• Egg: Provides structure and helps bind ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile with warm, sweet notes.

• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread with a light, crisp texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and brings out the rich peanut butter flavor.

Whip Up Peanut Butter Cookies: Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets

Adjust oven racks to upper and lower center positions. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix Peanut Butter and Sugars

• Peanut butter
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar

Use a wooden spoon to mix, then press mixture against bowl sides to fully incorporate sugars.

Step 3: Add Remaining Ingredients

• Egg
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Vanilla extract

Blend thoroughly. (Optional: Dough can be prepared 1 day ahead and refrigerated.)

Step 4: Shape Cookie Dough

Divide dough into 16 equal portions. Use a 1 measuring cup to portion dough. Place 8 rounds on each baking sheet.

Step 5: Create Cross-Hatch Design

Use a fork to create cross-hatch patterns on each dough ball. Optional: Roll dough rounds between hands first for smoother cookies.

Note: Cookies should measure about 2 1/2 inches in diameter after cross-hatching.

Step 6: Bake Cookies

Bake for 10 minutes, rotating baking sheets between racks every 5 minutes. Cookies should be just set when done.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Allow cookies to cool on wire racks positioned over sheet pans for at least 10 minutes before enjoying.

Must-Know Tips for Great Peanut Butter Cookies

• Customize Your Cookies: Sprinkle chopped nuts or chocolate chips into the dough for a personal twist.
• Prevent Overbaking: Watch cookies closely and remove from oven when edges are just set to maintain a soft, chewy texture.
• Protect Your Bakeware: Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and simplify post-baking cleanup.
• Prep for Success: Let all ingredients reach room temperature for smoother, more consistent dough mixing.
• Experiment Boldly: Add a pinch of sea salt or swap out mix-ins to create your unique peanut butter cookie experience.

Keeping Cookies Fresh: Storage Tips

• Freezer Method: Seal cookies in a double-layered freezer-safe bag to prevent freezer burn and maintain maximum freshness. Stack cookies between parchment paper to avoid sticking, allowing perfect separation when you're ready to enjoy a tasty treat. Freeze up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.
• Refrigerator Method: Protect cookies in an airtight container with a tight-sealing lid to preserve texture and prevent moisture absorption. Place a small piece of bread inside to keep cookies soft and prevent them from becoming dry or crumbly. Store for up to 1 week, ensuring delicious enjoyment throughout the week.
• Counter Method: Use a ceramic or glass container with a sealed lid to maintain cookie crispness and prevent staleness. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources to preserve flavor and texture.

Peanut Butter Cookie Variations to Try

• Nutty Chocolate Chip Fusion: Add 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough for a rich, decadent upgrade that transforms classic peanut butter cookies into an irresistible treat.
• Salted Caramel Crunch: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top of each cookie before baking and drizzle with warm caramel sauce after cooling for a sweet and salty flavor combination.
• Oatmeal Peanut Butter Blend: Incorporate 1/2 cup of rolled oats into the dough to create a heartier, more textured cookie with added nutritional value and a satisfying chewiness.
• Cinnamon Swirl Sensation: Mix 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into the dough and add a light dusting of cinnamon sugar before baking to infuse warm, aromatic notes into the classic peanut butter cookie.

Cookie Wrap-Up: Final Thoughts

Alton Brown’s peanut butter cookies emerge as a classic American treat that whispers nostalgia with each bite.

Simplicity meets pure delight in this straightforward recipe crafted by culinary genius Brown.

Crisp edges and tender centers create cookie perfection that connects generations through shared sweetness.

Baking enthusiasts find comfort in these uncomplicated yet magnificent cookies that balance nutty richness with subtle sweetness.

Home kitchens can easily recreate this delightful recipe without complex techniques or rare ingredients.

Passionate bakers, share these golden-brown morsels with friends, capture social media moments, spark conversations, and spread deliciousness across your digital and real-world communities.

Peanut Butter Cookie Perfection: Why You’ll Love It

• Effortless Peanut Butter Perfection: These cookies boast an incredibly simple preparation method that even beginner bakers can master, requiring just a few basic ingredients and minimal kitchen skills.
• Quick Comfort Treat: Whipped up in just 35 minutes from start to finish, these cookies deliver rapid satisfaction with their straightforward mixing and baking process, making them perfect for sudden sweet cravings.
• Texture Sensation: The cross-hatched design creates a beautiful classic cookie look while ensuring a delightful crisp exterior and soft, tender interior that melts in your mouth with rich peanut butter flavor.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Using only a few pantry staples like peanut butter, sugar, and egg, this recipe transforms basic ingredients into a deliciously addictive treat that requires zero complicated techniques or specialized equipment.

Alton Brown Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

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4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Alton Brown’s peanut butter cookies deliver classic comfort with a perfect balance of crisp edges and chewy centers. Rich peanut flavor and simple ingredients make these cookies an irresistible treat you’ll want to share with everyone around the table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 ml) smooth peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• ⅔ cup (133 g) light brown sugar
• ½ cup plus 1 ½ tablespoons (125 g) granulated sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Leavening Agent:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

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Instructions

1. Arrange oven racks in the upper and lower center positions and preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line two half-sheet pans with parchment paper.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly combine peanut butter with granulated and brown sugars. Use a wooden spoon to initially mix, then press and smear the mixture against the bowl’s sides to ensure complete integration.
3. Gently fold in the egg, baking soda, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix until ingredients are uniformly distributed. Note: Dough can be prepared one day ahead and refrigerated, covered with plastic wrap.
4. Portion the dough into 16 uniform balls, using a 1 1/2 tablespoons (22.5 milliliters) measuring tool. Distribute 8 dough rounds on each prepared baking sheet.
5. Create classic cross-hatch patterns by pressing a fork into each dough ball, using a gentle mashing and swiping technique. Rotate the fork 90 degrees for perfect grid-like impressions.
6. After cross-hatching, each cookie should spread to approximately 2 1/2 inches (6.35 centimeters) in diameter. For more polished appearance, roll dough between palms before fork-pressing.
7. Bake for 10 minutes, rotating baking sheets between oven racks at the 5-minute mark to ensure even browning. Cookies are done when edges are set but centers remain slightly soft.
8. Transfer baking sheets to wire cooling racks. Allow cookies to rest and firm up for at least 10 minutes before transferring or consuming.

Notes

• Warm ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a silky-smooth dough that ensures consistent texture throughout your baking process.
• Parchment paper acts as a protective barrier, preventing cookies from sticking and simplifying post-baking cleanup with minimal effort.
• Timing is crucial when removing cookies from the oven; pull them out just before they appear fully set to maintain that irresistible chewy, soft center.
• Personalize your batch by experimenting with mix-ins like crunchy nuts, decadent chocolate chips, or a sophisticated sprinkle of flaky sea salt for unexpected flavor bursts.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 252 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 19 mg