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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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