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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These Pinwheel Cookies are a treasured family favorite straight from Grandma’s cookbook! Delicious vanilla cookie dough is rolled up with a sweet raisin filling that bakes into the most nostalgic treat. They’re the perfect Christmas cookies but just as delicious any time of year.

Even if you’re not a raisin lover, trust me, your whole family will fall for these!

These pinwheel cookies are sneaky little delights with delicious raisin-filled swirls, simple to look at but impossible to stop eating. They’ve been a hit with my cousins for years, and now we keep the tradition alive in our own kitchen.

I’ll never forget standing in my grandma’s kitchen, pouring the vanilla and feeling trusted to help. Baking these cookies instantly brings back those warm, silly, perfect memories. Grab a kid, make a batch, tell some stories, and pass the magic (and the vanilla) along.

Pinwheel Cookies Ingredients

This great recipe has two parts: the cookie dough and the raisin pinwheel filling. I’ve seen recipes online for date pinwheel cookies, but my family has always made the filling with raisins.

Here’s what you’ll need to make pinwheel cookies:

• Vanilla Extract: Boosts flavor and adds warmth
• Shortening: Provides structure and tenderness for the cookie dough
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with spreading
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture, chewiness, and rich flavor
• Eggs: Bind the dough and add moisture
• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the cookie dough
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and brown
• Raisins: Sweet filling for the pinwheel center
• Water: Moistens the raisin filling

How To Make Grandma’s Pinwheel Cookies:

Don’t let the pretty pinwheel pattern fool you into thinking these cookies are tough to make! These Christmas pinwheel cookies require little prep work and are super simple t

Looking for the perfect bakery style peanut butter cookies recipe? Look no further! This recipe guarantees the most delicious and chewy cookies that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

We all know and love the classic peanut butter cookies recipe with the criss-cross pattern on top that you make with a fork, but these are not those! No offense to those! I love them! But these are giant bakery style cookies that are soft and chewy and loaded with peanut butter flavor!

We use the pan-banging method (perfected by Sarah Kieffer), which I’ll explain more below. This gives the cookies a crispy outer edge and a soft and chewy center.

Ingredients for the BEST Peanut Butter Cookies

Gather all your typical cookie ingredients and some creamy butter and you’re ready for making these bakery style cookies. Here is everything you’ll need:

• Flour: just regular all-purpose flour is all you need
• Baking Soda: gives the cookies lift and fluffiness
• Baking Powder: gives the cookies more rise
• Salt: enhances all the flavors and contrasts the sweetness
• Unsalted Butter: adds the fat and richness in flavor
• Creamy Peanut Butter: creamy JIF or Skippy is my preference
• Sugar: adds sweetness
• Brown Sugar: adds sweetness and moisture
• Egg: gives the cookies structure
• Vanilla Extract: adds flavor
• Whole Milk: adds moisture
• Dry Roasted Unsalted Peanuts: adds more peanut flavor and a nice crunchy texture

Keep scrolling to the end of the post to see all the measurements needed for each ingredient.

How to Make Bakery Style Peanut Butter Cookies

If you’re new to pan-banging cookies, we are going to walk you through how to do it. Here are is the step-by-step guide for making this fabulous peanut butter cookie recipe:

1. Prep: Line a baking sheet with foil (dull side up) and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Dry Ingredients: Whisk all the dry ingredients together in a small bowl.
3. Cream: Add the butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or use an electric hand mixer) and cream the butter until fluffy. Add the peanut butter and beat again until smooth.
4. Mix: Add in the sugars and mix until combined. Be sure to scrape down the sides as you go. Add the remaining wet ingredients and mix to combine. Slowly pour in the dry ingredients and mix until everything comes together but be careful to not overmix.
5. Rest: Allow the dough to rest for 15-20 minutes.
6. Scoop: Using a large cookie scoop (1

This is the classic holiday recipe for meringue cookies! Our little meringues only call for 5 ingredients, and a lot of oven time. Be patient as the piping takes a little bit of practice, but this recipe will walk you through the steps so that you can make your own perfect meringues!

Must Make Holiday Cookies

Ok, this Christmas, well, holiday cookie recipe is one you would have found in my grandma’s kitchen which means it’s a must-make! I love the traditions of holidays and cookies are the perfect place to remember loved ones.

I’ve been busy practicing meringue cookies, dying meringues, and munching on A LOT of meringues so that I can share what I’ve learned with you! Now you can make these addictive cookies without the stress! And since they are only about 20 calories each, munch away!

Important Tip: Making Meringue Cookies

This recipe calls for only 5 ingredients. With so few ingredients, you actually run a higher risk of issues. The key to avoiding those issues is stiff peaks.

While adding the sugar, the foamy egg mixture will start to become thick, glossy, and sticky, that’s exactly what you are looking for! My mom would often stop the mixer, grab the whisk and turn it upside down to inspect. I love that method of checking for stiff peaks!

Ingredients for Meringue Cookie Recipe

• Egg Whites: The foundation of meringue — when whipped, they trap air, creating the light, airy structure. As they cook, the proteins set and give the cookies their crisp texture.
• Salt: Sharpens the flavor and helps slightly strengthen the egg white foam during whipping.
• Cream of Tartar: The acid that stabilizes the egg whites which allows them to hold more air without collapsing, and helps prevent overbeating.
• Clear Vanilla: Adds flavor without discoloring the pure white meringue. Regular vanilla extract can give the meringue a beige tint.
• Sugar: Sweetens and dissolves into the egg whites to create a glossy, stable foam that bakes into a crisp shell outside with melt-in-your-mouth marshmallow on the inside.

How to Make Meringue Cookies

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 225℉ and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Beat: Using the whisk attachment on a stand mixer (you can also use a mixing bowl and electric hand mixer), beat the egg whites. When they start to get foamy, add the salt, cream of tartar and vanilla. Continue beating until soft peaks form.
3. Whip: Slowly add the sugar one small spoonful at a time continuing to w

In this roundup, you’ll find the very best Christmas cookies and treats, from classic sugar cookies and peppermint shortbread to peanut butter balls, homemade caramels, and more. Whether you’re baking for a cookie exchange, gifting homemade treats, or just making memories in the kitchen, this list has something everyone will love.

Growing up, baking Christmas cookies was how we kicked off the holiday season — rolling dough, stealing tastes, decorating cookies, and sharing trays with neighbors and friends. Today I still love carrying on that tradition with recipes that are simple, delicious, and always a hit.

Classic Christmas Cookies

These are the cookies that feel like home — soft sugar cookies, classic gingerbread, and nostalgic favorites that every holiday baking list needs. Perfect for cookie plates, decorating traditions, and sharing with neighbors and friends.

Peppermint & Chocolate Favorites

Rich chocolate meets cool peppermint for the ultimate Christmas flavor combo. These cookies look festive, taste decadent, and always feel like the holidays in every bite.