There’s just something magical about a classic peanut butter cookie recipe—the soft, chewy centers, the warm, rich peanut butter flavor, and of course that nostalgic criss-cross pattern that makes you feel like a kid again.

If you’ve been searching for the best peanut butter cookie recipe, this is the one that will finally end your hunt.

Memories

This is the recipe our family has made for years, and it’s still the one we reach for when we want a no-fuss, guaranteed-delicious cookie. Made with simple pantry ingredients and ready in minutes, this easy peanut butter cookies recipe is the perfect blend of cozy, homemade goodness and bakery-style texture.

I originally wrote this post for old-fashioned peanut butter cookies and then had the feeling that I should dedicate this post to my parents, and I try to always follow those little feelings. Thank you for taking the time to always encourage, patiently teach and most of all love me through anything and everything. You gave me the wings to fly anywhere and become anything.

Music and food. Two things that store up memories like nothing else. I can love a book but never remember what was going on when I was reading it. A certain song though, well suddenly I’m right back in college teaching a Pilates class, or driving to a marching band practice. Yup. Totally did that. Haha, but seriously, music and food bring back so many memories and I bet a few of you have one attached to soft peanut butter cookies.

Ingredients You’ll Need

There’s just one unexpected ingredient in these cookies, but I swear to you it will make all the difference! The rest of the ingredients will be in your pantry already. Here is what you’ll need:

• Butter: Adds richness, flavor, and helps create a soft, tender cookie. I prefer to use unsalted butter. Make sure it is softened.
• Brown Sugar: Provides moisture, sweetness, chewiness, and deeper caramel flavor.
• White Sugar: Helps the cookies spread and adds crisp edges. You’ll also use the sugar to sprinkle over the top of the cookies before baking.
• Peanut Butter: The star flavor; also adds fat and moisture for a soft, dense texture. You’ll want to use creamy peanut butter and avoid natural peanut butter.
• Egg: Binds the dough and adds structure and tenderness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor and rounds out the sweetness.
• Milk: Softens the dough slightly and prevents dryness if needed.
• All Purpose Flour: Gives the cookies structure so they hold their shape.
• Cornaby’s EZ Gel: This is the unusual ingredient. It helps keep the cookies soft and chewy by locking in moisture. Substitute with cornstarch if you don’t have the EZ gel.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and boosts flavor.
• Baking Soda: Gives a slight lift and creates a tender crumb.
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Christmas gatherings deserve food that brings people together—and nothing sets the mood like delicious holiday appetizers. Whether you’re hosting a formal Christmas dinner, a casual family gathering, or a festive holiday work potluck, these Christmas appetizers and easy finger foods make entertaining effortless.

From warm bites and cheesy dips to elegant handheld snacks, and make-ahead options, this collection has something for every party. Mix, match, and build your perfect holiday menu!

read more: If you’re looking for more sweet Christmas dessert options, check our our Christmas cookies and treats recipe roundup!

Holiday Classics & Crowd Favorites

These are the appetizers everyone expects at a Christmas party—warm, creamy, cheesy, and always demolished by the end of the night.

Sometimes the simplest things end up being the biggest wins. That’s how I feel about this cheesy, crispy, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla. My boys and I threw them together a few weeks ago for the first time with some of the items we tend to on hand in the freezer. Suffice it to say that these are way tastier than they have any right to be!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla

I fell in love with the Just Bare brand of frozen chicken bites several years ago when I first found them at Costco. We make ours in the air fryer, and they are the perfect solution for adding some quick protein to a salad or a sandwich.

I could lie and tell you that this recipe was a long series of difficult developments. But, it’s so much simpler than that. We literally just threw together our favorite air fried chicken bites with cheese and some crumbled leftover bacon. Dip your hot quesadillas in some homemade ranch and it all still counts as cooking, OK?

And for what it’s worth, I’ll happily eat this for lunch, or for dinner. And I do. On repeat, my friends. I eat this on repeat. I’ve made a LOT of quesadillas over the years. They’re one of my favorite quick snacks or meals, and they never get old because you can just swap out ingredients.

And, what I’ve learned while making probably hundreds if not thousands of quesadillas over the years is that the right pan makes a big difference for steady, even heat. This hard anodized non-stick pan is HANDS DOWN the best nonstick pan I have ever used. Don’t waste your money on the trendy and viral brand names. I’ve owned them, and they aren’t worth it. This one will not let you down.

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