Salted Peanut Butter Cookies. Made with evenly browned butter, brown sugar, loads of vanilla, and double the peanut butter for further richness. Impressed by these smooth, chewy cookies all of us keep in mind from pizza day at college—solely higher—these are crinkled throughout with buttery peanut swirls and completed with flaky sea salt. Salty-sweet, chewy, traditional, and practically excellent.

A buddy despatched me a photograph of her peanut butter cookies the opposite week, and immediately, I used to be baking peanut butter cookies too.

Hers appeared so good—deeply crinkled, smooth and chewy, completely flat, with flakes of sugar and sea salt on prime. I knew straight away what I wished mine to style like: the peanut butter cookies they served on pizza day again in center faculty. Tender, chewy, and by some means by no means dry. I’m satisfied these cookies had secrets and techniques, and certainly one of lately I’ll get my fingers on that recipe.

For now, these are very shut. I baked a minimum of twelve batches earlier than touchdown on the model that felt good.

And really, the images don’t fairly do these peanut butter cookies justice.

The trick is evenly browned butter, numerous vanilla, and double the peanut butter—creamy peanut butter solely! Each element of this recipe is designed to maintain the cookies smooth, wealthy, and completely irresistible.

These are the main points

Substances

• salted butter
• brown sugar – I used darkish
• granulated sugar
• eggs
• vanilla extract
• creamy peanut butter
• all-purpose flour
• baking soda
• baking powder
• salt
• granulated sugar
• vanilla bean paste
• flaky sea salt, for sprinkling (optionally available)

Kitchen Instruments

You don’t want something fancy for these cookies. Only a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, a skillet for browning the butter, a big mixing bowl, a whisk, and a spatula. I additionally use a shallow bowl for rolling the dough in sugar and a tablespoon scoop to maintain the cookies even. Easy instruments, nothing particular—simply the sort of setup that makes baking really feel simple and acquainted.

These are the Steps

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Begin by preheating the oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. I all the time do that first as a result of as soon as the dough is prepared, you wish to transfer rapidly.

These cookies unfold good, and parchment makes all of the distinction on the subject of simple cleanup.

Step 2: Brown the butter

Add the butter to a skillet set over medium warmth and prepare dinner, swirling usually, till it turns evenly golden—about two minutes.

Don’t stroll away; this occurs quick. It’s a refined step, however it’s one of many secrets and techniques right here. Evenly browned butter provides depth with out overpowering the peanut butter. Pour the butter right into a bowl and let it cool barely.

Step 3: Combine the moist components

Whisk the brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, and peanut butter into the nice and cozy butter till easy. That is the place the dough actually comes collectively.

I take advantage of loads of vanilla and double the peanut butter as a result of I would like these cookies wealthy and nostalgic, not dry or crumbly. Creamy peanut butter is vital—it’s what offers you that smooth, chewy heart.

Step 4: Add the dry components

Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, mixing simply till mixed. Cease as quickly as you not see streaks of flour.

Overmixing is the quickest strategy to lose that smooth, bakery-style texture we’re after.

Step 5: Roll and coat

In a shallow bowl, combine the sugar with the vanilla bean paste. Roll the dough into rounded tablespoon-size balls, then roll each by way of the sugar.

This small step is necessary—it’s what offers the cookies that sparkly, crinkled prime, identical to those that all the time disappeared first within the lunchroom on pizza day.

Step 6: Bake and flatten

Bake for six minutes, then rotate the pan and gently faucet it on the counter a few times. This helps the cookies flatten and crinkle throughout. Return them to the oven for one more two to a few minutes, simply till the perimeters are set.

They’ll look barely underdone within the heart, and that’s precisely what you need.

Step 7: Cool and end

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet. They’ll end organising as they sit. Whereas nonetheless heat, sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired.

It’s the ultimate contact that makes these really feel just a little grown-up—though they style precisely just like the cookies you hoped for again in center faculty.

These cookies are additionally excellent for the Tremendous Bowl. They’re simple to make forward, simple to move, and everybody loves a traditional peanut butter cookie. They maintain up superbly on a platter, keep smooth for days, and really feel proper at house alongside salty snacks and game-day meals.

Searching for different enjoyable cookie recipes? Listed here are some favorites:

Brown Butter Malted Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Snickerdoodle Peanut Butter Chocolate Chex Combine Bars

Slice n’ Bake Bourbon Caramel Pretzel Cookies

Lastly, when you make these Salted Peanut Butter Cookies, remember to depart a remark and/or give this recipe a score! Above all, I really like listening to from you guys and all the time do my greatest to reply to each remark. And naturally, when you do make this recipe, don’t neglect to tag me on Instagram! Trying by way of the images of recipes you all have made is my favourite!

This submit was initially printed on January 30, 2026