19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (2024)

We love peanut butter cookies. And while it's hard to beat a traditional homemade peanut butter cookie recipe, we're smitten by variations. With these recipes, you can make peanut butter cookies all kinds of ways—from scratch, from mixes, and in some cases, without even turning on the oven. With our best peanut butter cookie recipe for peanut butter purists, plus twists like pinwheels and jammy thumbprints, these peanut butter cookies are proven crowd-pleasers.

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Classic Peanut Butter Cookies

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (1)

This is it! Our best peanut butter cookie recipe for those classic, chewy peanut butter cookies you crave. Generations of cooks have learned how to make peanut butter cookies from this very recipe, and you can, too. It's foolproof—we promise.

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Peanut Butter Blossoms

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (2)

Here's another classic way to make peanut butter cookies. You can customize this peanut butter cookie recipe with different types of chocolate candy in the center. We like to use milk, dark, or caramel-filled chocolates.

Buy It: T-fal Airbake Cookie Sheet ($11, Walmart)

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PB&J Sandwich Cookies

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (3)

Lunch just got a whole lot sweeter. Chewy peanut butter cookies take the place for bread with these peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. While they're a far cry from a sandwich substitute, you won't find us complaining about finding one in our lunch boxes.

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Peanut Butter and Banana Drops

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (4)

Keep these easy peanut butter cookies in mind whenever you need a speedy dessert to serve. Dried banana chips and creamy chocolate pieces turn purchased cookie dough into a totally new treat. No one will ever notice that these peanut butter banana cookies weren't made from scratch.

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Chocolate-Peanut Butter Shortbread Bites

19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (5)

These eye-catching gems rank among our best peanut butter cookies for gift-giving. They start with a rich, buttery shortbread recipe that's flavor-charged with peanut butter and chocolate. What really sells them, though, is the peanut butter and chocolate frostings on top. To make these peanut butter cookies even more enticing, follow the instructions for the pretty drizzles.

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Peanut Butter Oat Bites

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (6)

Anyone can make these no-bake peanut butter cookies—they take just 20 minutes of hands-on prep time. These flourless peanut butter cookies are filled with an uncommon (and delicious) combination of ingredients—chocolate chips, coconut, dried cherries, rolled oats, and of course, peanut butter.

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Easy Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (7)

These 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies come together in less than 30 minutes for a dense and delicious gluten-free treat everyone will enjoy. All you'll need is one egg, a cup of sugar, and a cup of peanut butter for an easy batch of gluten-free peanut butter cookies. We promise, no one will miss the gluten.

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Peanut Butter and "Oreo" Brookies

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (8)

Brownie cookies? Yes, please! This peanut butter brookie (that's brownie + cookie) recipe marries cookies and cream brownies with a chewy peanut butter cookie recipe for a sweet mashup that begs to be dunked in a glass of milk.

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Peanut Butter Cream Sandwich Cookies

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (9)

What's better than one peanut butter cookie? Two peanut butter cookies with peanut butter cream in the middle, of course! A mixture of marshmallow creme and chunky peanut butter creates a fluffernutter-style filling for this showstopping take on a traditional peanut butter cookie recipe.

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Copycat Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (10)

No Girl Scouts in your neighborhood? No problem. These chocolate-coated peanut butter cookies are based on Girl Scout Tagalongs (also called Peanut Butter Patties), and our recipe makes 46 cookies … which, if you've ever ordered peanut butter Girl Scout cookies before, you know means they'll likely get eaten in exactly one day.

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PB&J Ice Cream Sandwiches

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (11)

This recipe shows you how to make peanut butter cookies into a kid-favorite dessert. Simply bake the cookies using purchased dough (or skip that step and use purchased cookies). Fill with ice cream and a touch of jam, and you have sweet and playful take on PB&J.

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Peanut Butter, Jelly, and Brownie Cookies

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (12)

Peanut butter and jelly is a sacred combination, which is why the addition of fudgy brownies to this peanut butter cookie sandwich recipe is so delightfully sinful. A scoop of fresh-from-the-oven brownie is smashed together with a tablespoon of jam between two layers of peanut butter cookies to make one decadent dessert sandwich. Store-bought peanut butter cookie dough saves time since you'll need to roll the dough out before slicing and baking.

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Double Oat Breakfast Cookies

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (13)

Cookies for breakfast? Yes, please! These chewy peanut butter cookies are packed with good-for-you ingredients, such as oats, cereal, and raisins. We also sprinkled a handful of chocolate chips into these easy peanut butter cookies to add just a little indulgence to your morning.

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Peanut Butter Munchies

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (14)

Each cookie has a surprise inside: gooey, creamy peanut butter. Happily, these are also super-easy peanut butter cookies to make. Simply wrap cookie dough around balls of creamy peanut butter filling. Then bake, cool, and prepare to swoon.

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Giant Triple Threat Peanut Butter Cookies

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (15)

When compared to all the different types of peanut butter cookies, this recipe has a giant advantage. The giant-size cookies start with a homemade peanut butter batter and plenty of peanut butter-filled chocolate chips in the mix. Just before baking, they're topped with ground peanuts for a peanut butter cookie recipe that's all about the peanuts. Grab a glass of milk and start munching.

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Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pinwheels

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (16)

These twirly peanut butter and chocolate cookies are playful and fun to make. A bit of cocoa powder adds a chocolatey spin to refrigerated sugar cookie dough before swirling together with refrigerated peanut butter cookie dough. After refrigerating the rolled dough, simply slice and bake.

Pinwheel Cookies That Always Stand Out on a Cookie Tray

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PB&C Cookie Sandwiches

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Here we start with our best peanut butter cookie recipe and add cocoa powder plus peanut butter and milk chocolate pieces to the dough. Then we transform the baked treats into rich sandwich cookies. You'll be glad to know that the filling for these peanut butter cookies is purchased chocolate frosting mixed with peanut butter. How easy is that?

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Ultimate Tassies

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (18)

We bet you've never had peanut butter cookies quite like this before. A buttery cream cheese crust makes a crisp shell for the two-tone peanut butter and chocolate filling. Use a piping bag for the filling to create a gorgeous swirl.

Buy It: Ateco Pastry Bag Kit ($20, Williams Sonoma)

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PB&J Thumbprints

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19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (19)

Yes, they combined! Here, peanut butter cookies marry thumbprint cookies for one fabulous "happily ever after." Want more to celebrate? This peanut butter cookie recipe takes just three ingredients—and refrigerated cookie dough jump-starts the list.

19 Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes That Take Rich Flavor Seriously (2024)

FAQs

Why do my peanut butter cookies not taste like peanut butter? ›

The most common mistake with peanut butter cookies is using the wrong type of peanut butter. The BEST peanut butter for today's cookies is a processed creamy peanut butter, preferably Jif or Skippy.

What are the basic ingredients for peanut butter cookies? ›

What is the secret to a good cookie? ›

The key is to always use top-quality ingredients as they'll result in a better cookie; it really is that simple.
  • Always use butter.
  • Choose the right sugar.
  • Choose the right flour.
  • Check your flour is in date.
  • Choose the right kind of chocolate.
  • Cream the butter and sugar.
  • Beat in the eggs.
  • Fold in the flour.

What type of cookie is distinguished for having peanut butter as a principal ingredient? ›

A peanut butter cookie is a type of cookie that is distinguished for having peanut butter as a principal ingredient. The cookie originated in the United States, its development dating back to the 1910s.

How do you intensify peanut butter flavor? ›

You can further augment the gustatory potential of the peanut butter by using both vanilla extract and almond extract in your dough—just a splash of the latter is enough to boost your cookies' nuttiness (while remaining subtle enough that no one will cotton onto the presence of drupe essence in your legume dessert).

Is it better to use butter or shortening in peanut butter cookies? ›

Cookies Made with Butter vs Shortening

Those made with only shortening bake higher and spread less during baking. The butter cookie provides better flavor and a crispier exterior with browning around edges and a chewy interior; the shortening cookie spreads less, holding its shape better while baking.

How can I increase my cookie flavor? ›

Add Spices To Your Dough

Spices can add an amazing aroma and flavor to your cookies. I use spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves to bring out the flavor in many recipes. In addition, spices can become a central part of your cookie. For example, you can add spiced chai to create delicious chai spice oatmeal cookies.

What makes cookies taste the best? ›

When you think cookies, you likely think of sweet ingredients, but salt is essential. It balances the flavor of caramelized sugars. We even love sprinkling a little extra flake salt on our cookies to awaken the tongue and complement the sweetness.

What is the key to chewy cookies? ›

If you enjoy your cookies soft and chewy, chances are likely the recipe contains a common ingredient that serves a very specific purpose. No, it's not granulated sugar, nor the butter. It's not the egg, all-purpose flour, or even the vanilla extract. The simple, yet oh-so-necessary component is cornstarch.

What is the best peanut butter for cookies? ›

Conventional creamy peanut butter works best for peanut butter cookie recipes because it has a smooth and even texture. My favorite creamy peanut butter brands are Skippy or Jif. Natural peanut butter, made up of just peanuts and salt, is typically very oily and hard to get even.

Why are peanut butter cookies dry? ›

If you're wanting to use natural (no sugar added) peanut butter, the cookies will be less sweet and they will likely spread out more. Using natural peanut butter will change the structure and texture of the cookies. Why are my cookies dry and crumbly? This is most likely a classic case of using too much flour.

Why flatten peanut butter cookies? ›

Peanut butter cookies don't spread as they cook, so you have to flatten them before hand. This ensures that the middle will cook through before the outside burns.

What enhances peanut butter flavor? ›

A little vanilla extract enhances the peanut flavor just like a little coffee does for enhancing chocolate. These are buttery and peanut buttery, with a balanced amount of sweetness.

Why does my peanut butter taste different? ›

Peanut butter has an extremely long shelf life, so odds are low that it'll spoil before you can use it. But still, the nutty spread can spoil, as its high levels of fat content put it at risk of turning rancid. Spoiled peanut butter would result in a spread that has an off-putting smell, taste or appearance.

How to make peanut butter tastier? ›

Add a little honey, add a little sea salt, or more or less or nothing at all. It doesn't even matter. Something magical happens when you whip all those peanuts around in the food processor for a few minutes, and that something is creamy, drippy peanut butter that is the definition of perfect simplicity.

What happens if you don't flatten peanut butter cookies? ›

If you don't flatten the cookies first, then the fork does double duty – it performs both functions. One very subtle result of creating the pattern is that the little tips of dough bake up crisper than the rest of the cookie, giving you both a bit of additional texture and deeper taste where the dough is more baked.

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