Crispy Peanut Butter Cookies with Sugar Crust

Crispy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

If you’re searching for the perfect peanut butter cookie recipe, look no further. This Crispy Peanut Butter Cookie recipe, found in Best Recipes from the Backs of Boxes, Bottles, Cans, and Jars by Ceil Dyer (1979), is hands down the best version you’ll ever need. The crispy, melt-in-your-mouth texture combined with the sweet peanut butter flavor will have you hooked with just one bite. In under 30 minutes, you can have a batch of 72 delicious cookies ready to share with family and friends.

Ingredients

Nutritional Information (Per Cookie)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients: Start by sifting the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. This will ensure that the ingredients are well combined and your cookies have a light, even texture.

2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer set to medium speed to beat the margarine and peanut butter together until smooth and creamy. This step will help to evenly incorporate the peanut butter, creating a silky base for your dough.

3. Incorporate Sugars: Add in the granulated sugar and brown sugar, and beat the mixture until the sugars are fully blended with the peanut butter and margarine. This will help to give your cookies that perfect, sweet balance.

4. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract, ensuring that it is evenly distributed throughout the dough.

5. Combine with Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating well after each addition. This will help prevent lumps and ensure the dough is smooth.

6. Chill the Dough: If the dough is too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This step will make it easier to roll the dough into balls and keep the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

7. Shape the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in sugar for an extra sweet crunch on the outside.

8. Place on the Baking Sheet: Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on an ungreased baking sheet, making sure to space them about 2 inches apart. This gives them room to spread as they bake.

9. Flatten and Create the Signature Pattern: Use a fork to gently flatten each cookie, making a crisscross pattern on top. This classic peanut butter cookie design not only looks appealing but helps the cookies bake evenly.

10. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the cookies for about 12 minutes, or until they are lightly browned around the edges. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t over-bake.

11. Cool and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set properly without falling apart.

Peanut Butter Crackles Variation

For a fun twist on this classic recipe, try making Peanut Butter Crackles. Simply follow the basic recipe and shape the dough into balls as directed. However, do not flatten them with a fork. Instead, roll the dough balls in sugar before placing them on the cookie sheet. Bake at 350°F for 15-18 minutes, or until lightly golden. Once removed from the oven, immediately press a chocolate candy kiss firmly into the top of each cookie. The cookie will crack around the edges, creating a beautiful “crackle” effect.

Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies

• Chill the Dough: If you’re short on time, chilling the dough is optional, but it really helps if you want cookies that hold their shape and don’t spread too much. If you’re making a double batch, you can refrigerate the dough overnight.

• Consistency Matters: Peanut butter varies in texture—smooth peanut butter gives a smoother dough, while chunky peanut butter adds a little extra crunch. Both work great, so choose according to your preference.

• Cookie Size: If you prefer larger or smaller cookies, feel free to adjust the size of your dough balls. Just remember to adjust the baking time accordingly; larger cookies may require a minute or two longer in the oven.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Crispy Peanut Butter Cookie recipe is truly a keeper! With its perfectly crispy edges, soft centers, and melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter flavor, it’s a timeless treat that appeals to both kids and adults alike. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a quick treat for a snack, or packing them in lunchboxes, these cookies never disappoint. Plus, with the added variation of Peanut Butter Crackles, you’ll have an option to take these cookies to the next level.

With just a handful of basic pantry ingredients and under 30 minutes of prep and baking time, you’ll have a batch of cookies that taste like they came straight from a bakery. What’s not to love?

Now, it’s time to get baking and enjoy these irresistible crispy peanut butter cookies. Happy baking from Love With Recipes!