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These are beyond any doubt the BEST Peanut Butter Cookies I have ever tasted. 

Crisp, Chewy, Peanut Butter Cookies {traditional and gluten free recipes included}

Not at all dry, not at all greasy, crisp edges, chewy centers, practically perfect in every way! If you hang out with me on Instagram, you’ve been waiting quite a while for this recipe. (Thank you so much for being patient!)

I promised it to you over a month ago! I wanted to test it once more before sharing it here and with the hassle of moving into a new house last month, my baking kept getting postponed.

These cookies are worth the wait though! While the simple and fun 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies will forever be in our recipe files, this is an entirely different cookie.

For a while now, my husband has wanted me to make a crisp and chewy Peanut Butter cookie. I’ve played with several different versions over the past year and this recipe finally nails it. I hope you love them every single bit as much as we do!

Crisp, Chewy, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies {traditional and gluten free recipes included}

Check out all of the Gluten Free Dessert Recipes on this website!

Crispy, Chewy, Peanut Butter Cookies

Avatar photoMary Younkin
These are beyond any doubt the BEST Peanut Butter Cookies I have ever tasted. 
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
30 minutes
Total Time: 59 minutes
Servings: 36
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 2 cups light brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • cups creamy peanut butter
  • cups all-purpose flour*
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 12 ounces chocolate chunks optional
  • cup raw sugar optional

*Gluten-Free Alternative

  • cups brown rice flour
  • ¾ cup tapioca starch
  • ½ cup potato starch

Instructions 

  • Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and the sugar until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat again until light and fluffy. Add the peanut butter and beat just until combined. Add half the dry ingredients, beat until just combined, and add the remaining dry ingredients. Mix again until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chunks, if desired. Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes, overnight is fine as well.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Place the raw sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop 3 tablespoons of dough into a rough ball shape. Dip the top of each ball of cookie dough into the raw sugar and coat well. Place on the baking sheet. Press down lightly to flatten into a thick disk.
  • Bake for 14 minutes, until the cookies are lightly brown and cracked on top. They should still be soft, but they will firm up as they cool. Let them cool on the pan for 1 minute before sliding the parchment onto a cooling rack. Let cool completely, before transferring to an airtight container. Enjoy!

Notes

The key to the crispy edges and chewy center is the extra large cookie. A generous three tablespoons of dough goes into each cookie and it makes a difference in the results. I tried making them smaller and I’ll tell you now that you’ll miss the chewy center when you do that.
Part of what makes these cookies extra special is rolling them in raw sugar just before baking. They will still be crisp, chewy, and delicious without that step, but for an unexpected treat, the crunchy sugar is perfect.

Nutrition

Calories: 254 kcal | Carbohydrates: 28 g | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 15 g | Saturated Fat: 6 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 23 mg | Sodium: 126 mg | Potassium: 168 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 18 g | Vitamin A: 176 IU | Calcium: 35 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

{originally published 3/4/15 – recipe card updated 6/20/22}

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Crisp, Chewy, Peanut Butter Cookies - get the recipe at barefeetinthekitchen.com

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8 Comments

  1. Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says:

    I could spend my days making all your wonderful recipes and would never be disappointed. These look and sound wonderful – the perfect sweet treat with my favorite peanut butter!

  2. Sue/the view from great island says:

    Mary the chocolate chip version looks incredible, I'm sharing!

  3. Kim Honeycutt says:

    These sound so good! I love cookies!! Pinning it!!

  4. Laurie says:

    These look so yummy. Must try these.
    It would be so nice if your recipes had weights too. I usually bake by weight only.

  5. Linda Jack says:

    What are the amounts for the peanut butter cookies please? Thanks

  6. peggy gallegos says:

    could you send the recipe for 3 ingredient peanut buttercookies

  7. Jeanna says:

    These are my all time favorite! So easy to make too… just thought I would let you in on my twist on these.😯 I always add some kind of chips. I think milk chocolate is the best. I sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top before baking or after while still hot. I mix up a glaze of powdered sugar and milk and drizzle over the top.

    1. Mary Younkin says:

      oh! I love all of those ideas, Jeanna!