Description

Soft, chewy, and rich peanut butter cookies with crisp edges and a sophisticated finish of flaky sea salt. Made with pantry staples and ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup (200g) granulated white sugar
1 cup (220g) packed brown sugar (light or dark)
1 cup (250g) creamy peanut butter (standard commercial brand like Jif or Skippy)
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Flaky sea salt (like Maldon) for topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes with a mixer).
Add the creamy peanut butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat on medium speed until fully combined and smooth.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until the flour disappears. Do not overmix.
Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie and roll into balls. Place on prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. (Optional: Chill dough for 30 minutes for thicker cookies).
Bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be set and lightly golden, but the centers should still look slightly soft.
Immediately upon removing from the oven, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of each cookie.
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Use softened butter, not melted, for the best texture. Standard creamy peanut butter is recommended over natural peanut butter to avoid greasy dough. Do not overbake; cookies continue to cook on the hot pan. Store in an airtight container with a piece of bread to keep soft.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 180
Sugar: 14
Sodium: 120
Fat: 10
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 22
Fiber: 1
Protein: 4

Keywords: peanut butter cookies, bakery style, soft cookies, chewy cookies, flaky sea salt, easy dessert, no chill time, peanut butter treats