Can I use natural peanut butter?

Not recommended for this recipe. Natural peanut butter can separate and make the dough oily or too crumbly. Use a classic creamy peanut butter instead.

Can I make them dairy-free?

Yes! Use a high-quality vegan butter or coconut oil in place of the regular butter. Keep in mind, this may slightly change the flavor.

Do I need to chill the dough?

Not at all! This dough is ready to scoop and bake right away, which is part of what makes it so quick and easy.

Why do peanut butter cookies have fork marks?

It's a tradition that dates back to the 1930s, and it actually serves a purpose! The dough is dense and needs flattening to help it bake evenly.

Can I make these into bars instead of cookies?

Absolutely! Press the dough into a greased 9×13 pan and bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes or until the top is golden and set.

Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies

Recipe by Liliya

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Total Time23 minutes
Yield28 cookies 1x

These old fashioned peanut butter cookies are soft, chewy, buttery, and topped with a classic crisscross fork pattern. A nostalgic, crowd-pleasing favorite!

Ingredients

Scale

1 ¼ cups creamy peanut butter
1 cup salted butter, room temperature
1 ¼ cups light brown sugar, packed
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment.
In a large bowl, beat peanut butter and butter until smooth.
Add brown and granulated sugars and beat until fluffy.
Mix in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla.
In a separate bowl, whisk flour and baking soda.
Stir dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
Scoop 2-tablespoon dough balls and place 3 inches apart on baking sheets.
Press tops with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
Bake 12–13 minutes until edges are golden. Cool 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.

Notes

Use shelf-stable creamy peanut butter for best results. Natural varieties can cause spreading or separation. These freeze beautifully too!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 180 kcal
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 115mg
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 20mg

Find it online: https://wearerecipes.com/old-fashioned-peanut-butter-cookies/