Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

This old fashioned peanut butter cookie recipe is one my grandmother made as a teenager, so it is at least forty years old. Believe it or not, I actually loathed peanut butter cookies growing up. The way they stuck to the roof of my mouth literally made me gag. Everyone else loved them, and one day my mom suggested adding coconut to see if it would help. Ever since then, these have been my favorite, and funny enough I still only eat my own.

What makes these thick chewy peanut butter cookies so special is how simple they are. Old fashioned recipes use old fashioned ingredients, the kind most of us already have in the pantry. These recipes were created to feed a hungry family quickly without fuss or extra steps. That is why I love them so much. Nothing is easier than a classic drop cookie recipe. There is no rolling dough into little balls, no extra prep, just scoop, bake, and enjoy.

Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies Ingredients

Directions for Making Peanut Butter Drop Cookies

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter until fluffy, about two minutes. Add the white sugar and brown sugar a little at a time, continuing to beat until well combined.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed until incorporated. Add the peanut butter and vanilla and mix just until combined, then turn off the mixer.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir to evenly disperse the baking soda throughout the flour.

Add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture and mix just until blended. Stir in the coconut until evenly distributed. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky, which helps create thick chewy peanut butter cookies.

Step 4: Shape and Bake the Cookies

Drop the dough onto the prepared cookie sheets using a cookie scoop. Lightly press the tops with a fork if desired.

Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, until the edges are set and lightly golden while the centers remain soft. This timing helps keep thick, chewy peanut butter cookies soft through the center.

Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.

Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

This peanut butter cookie recipe is a longtime favorite that I have been baking for years. It is a tried and proven recipe that makes soft, thick, chewy cookies and never lets me down.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup peanut butter smooth or crunchy
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups flour 2
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

 

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheets

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

• In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter until fluffy, about two minutes. Add the white sugar and brown sugar a little at a time, continuing to beat until well combined.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

• Add the eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed until incorporated. Add the peanut butter and vanilla and mix just until combined, then turn off the mixer.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir to evenly disperse the baking soda.

Step 5: Finish the Dough

• Add the dry ingredients to the peanut butter mixture and mix just until blended. Stir in the coconut until evenly distributed. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.

Step 6: Shape the Cookies

• Drop the dough onto the prepared cookie sheets using a cookie scoop. Lightly press the tops with a fork if desired.

Step 7: Bake

• Bake for 12 minutes, until the edges are set and lightly golden while the centers remain soft.

Step 8: Cool

• Allow the cookies to cool briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you love classic cookies that turn out soft and chewy every time, be sure to pin this thick and chewy peanut butter cookie recipe for later. It’s an easy, from scratch favorite that’s perfect for everyday baking.

Old Fashioned Carrot Oatmeal Cookies

If you enjoy classic cookie recipes, you might also like my old fashioned carrot oatmeal cookies, another tried and true favorite.

Best Air Buns Recipe

For something a little different, my homemade air buns are another simple, from scratch recipe that has been a go-to favorite for years.