Description
Classic peanut butter cookies from Joy of Cooking promise pure comfort with their rich, nutty flavor. Crisp edges and tender centers make these homemade treats irresistible for anyone craving a nostalgic sweet companion to afternoon tea or midnight snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (256 grams) crunchy peanut butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (200 grams) white sugar
- 1 cup (220 grams) packed brown sugar
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups (313 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Cream softened butter, creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
- In a separate mixing bowl, carefully sift together all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the butter mixture, stirring gently until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Refrigerate the prepared dough for approximately 60 minutes to enhance flavor development and improve cookie texture.
- Preheat the oven to 190 degrees Celsius (375 degrees Fahrenheit), allowing sufficient time for even temperature distribution.
- Remove chilled dough and roll into uniform 1-inch (2.5 centimeters) spheres, placing them approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) apart on ungreased baking sheets.
- Create distinctive crisscross patterns on each cookie using the tines of a fork, pressing gently to create characteristic indentations.
- Bake the cookies for 7 to 10 minutes, watching carefully until the edges turn a golden-brown color and the centers appear slightly soft.
- Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 2-3 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to reach room temperature completely.
Notes
- Swap classic peanut butter with natural varieties for a deeper, more complex flavor profile.
- Fold in chopped nuts or chocolate chips to elevate the basic cookie recipe.
- Cold butter works best when cut into small cubes before mixing into the dough.
- Rotate baking sheet halfway through cooking to ensure even golden-brown edges.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain maximum softness for up to five days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 234
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 37 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 23 mg