If you’re searching for a timeless treat, look no further than Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies. These classic cookies bring back fond memories with their rich, nutty flavor and perfectly chewy texture. Made with simple ingredients and baked to perfection, old-fashioned peanut butter cookies are the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.
This easy and delicious cookie recipe comes from my Mother-in-Law, Margaret, who has a passion for baking and has won awards for her desserts. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to learn and enjoy her cherished recipes!
My Mother-in-Law has baked for years, and her ability in the kitchen shows in the desserts she makes. I’ve published her recipes and have had to learn a few things on my own. She has an innate ability to make pies and cakes.
After visiting her, I tried making a blueberry pie and finally realized that the secret to a thick sauce lies in the baking process. If you want to know what I learned, here’s the Apple Blueberry Pie Recipe.
Here are more of Margaret’s delicious recipes!
I see every recipe as a learning opportunity, and this peanut butter cookie became a test kitchen experiment.
You’re probably wondering how such a simple recipe could become a testing ground. It all came down to the choice of peanut butter.
Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter vs Kirkland Organic CreamyPeanut Butter
My mother-in-law insists on using only Skippy peanut butter for these cookies, while my husband believes the brand doesn’t matter. So, I made them with my organic peanut butter, which contains only peanuts and salt, and the result was a crumbly dough.
I decided to A/B test the recipe using Skippy peanut butter, which contains more ingredients, including sugar. The dough turned out soft, smooth, and incredibly easy to handle.
Peanut Butter Taste Test
Using Skippy Peanut Butter or a natural peanut butter will result in slightly different cookies. The type of cookies you prefer will determine which kind of peanut butter you should use, as the difference in taste is very subtle.
Skippy’s Peanut Butter Cookies:
This version results in a crispy, light, and sweeter cookie with a delightful golden brown color. The added sugar in Skippy peanut butter enhances the sweetness, while the extra ingredients help the cookies spread out a bit more during baking, giving them a classic, flat shape. These cookies have a perfectly balanced flavor and a satisfying crunch that makes them irresistible.
Kirkland Organic Peanut Butter Cookies:
These thicker, denser, and crunchier cookies offer a more natural taste, highlighting roasted peanuts. The absence of added sugars and preservatives results in a less sweet cookie with a rich, authentic flavor. The dense texture provides a hearty bite, making these cookies perfect for those who prefer a more rustic and wholesome treat.
I’ll leave it up to you to decide which type of peanut butter and cookie style you prefer for this recipe.
Old Fashioned Cookie Ingredients
- Shortening: Adds tenderness and helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
- Butter: Provides a rich flavor and contributes to the cookie’s crispness.
- Peanut Butter: Gives the cookies their signature nutty flavor and creamy texture.
- Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and aids in creating a crispy exterior.
- Brown Sugar: Adding moisture and a subtle caramel flavor contributes to the cookie’s chewiness.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients together, adding moisture and structure.
- Flour: Forms the base of the dough, providing structure and stability.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread, creating a light texture.
- Baking Powder: Adds additional lift and lightness.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Cookie Instructions
Step 1: Cream Shortening and Butter: Cream the shortening and butter together in a large mixing bowl until smooth and well combined.
Step 2: Mix Sugars and Peanut Butter: Add the peanut butter, sugar, and brown sugar to the bowl and continue mixing until light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add Egg: Beat in the egg until fully incorporated.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Step 5: Blend Wet with Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
Step 6: Form Dough into Balls: Roll the dough into small balls about 1 inch in diameter and place them on a lightly greased baking sheet. You can roll the balls in raw sugar if you like.
Step 7: Make A Crisscross Pattern: Use a fork to press down on each ball, creating a crisscross pattern on the top.
Step 8: Chill Cookies: Chill the dough balls in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.
Step 9: Heat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Step 10: Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
Step 11: Cool Cookies: 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 to cool completely.
Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
Servings: 36 cookies
Calories: 85kcal
Ingredients
- ¼ cup shortening
- ¼ cup butter room temperature
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- 1 egg
- 1¼ cup flour
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F about ten minutes before you start baking.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
Roll the dough into small balls about 1 inch in diameter and place them on a lightly greased baking sheet. If you like you can roll the balls in raw sugar.
Use a fork to press down on each ball, creating a crisscross pattern on the top.
Chill the dough balls in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
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 to cool completely.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 85kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 67mg | Potassium: 37mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 46IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Why You’ll Love These Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
- Nostalgic Flavor: These cookies evoke fond memories with their classic, comforting taste, reminding people of childhood treats.
- Simple to Make: The straightforward recipe makes it easy for bakers of all skill levels to create delicious cookies with minimal effort.
- Perfect Texture: The balance between a crispy edge and a chewy center provides a delightful contrast that satisfies all cookie lovers.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, these cookies are easy to whip up without needing a trip to the store.
- Customizable: The recipe can easily be adapted with additions like chocolate chips or chopped nuts for those who like variety.
- Rich Peanut Butter Taste: The prominent peanut butter flavor shines through, making it a favorite for peanut butter enthusiasts.
- Great for Sharing: These cookies are perfect for gatherings, offering a universally loved treat that people of all ages can enjoy.
I love that this recipe yields three dozen cookies. I keep a few out to enjoy right away and freeze the rest for later. You can freeze either the baked cookies or the raw cookie dough. These cookies are a comforting treat with a nostalgic, old-fashioned feel.
Thank you for stopping by, and have fun baking these delicious, peanutty cookies!
Happy Baking!
Photo Credits: MyPhotography.com
I named my blog Happy Happy Nester because I love everything related to the home. I’ve always enjoyed decorating my surroundings. Get cozy and stay for a bit, thanks for visiting!
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