Simple Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar, plus more for decoration
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. 2

   Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.

3. 3

   In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together at low speed. (Alternatively, beat in a mixing bowl using a hand mixer or wooden spoon.)

4. 4

   Increase speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy.

5. 5

   Add the peanut butter and continue to beat until fully incorporated.

6. 6

   Add the egg and vanilla and beat until fully incorporated.

7. 7

   Remove the bowl from the stand mixer.

8. 8

   In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

9. 9

   Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the peanut butter mixture.

10. 10

    Form the cookie dough into tablespoon-size dough balls, and space them two inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet.

11. 11

    Fill a small bowl with white sugar.

12. 12

    Press the tines of a fork onto the top of a cookie dough ball to flatten.

13. 13

    Dip the fork in sugar and repeat to form a crosshatch pattern.

14. 14

    Repeat with remaining dough balls.

15. 15

    Bake cookies until they are slightly puffed and turn light brown at the edges, about 10–12 minutes.

16. 16

    Let the cookies cool on a wire rack.

17. 17

    Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

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