The Ultimate List: 10 Best Easy Peanut Butter Cookies Recipes

Peanut Butter Paradise: 10 Irresistible Recipes to Satisfy Your Cookie Cravings

Is there anything more comforting than the smell of peanut butter cookies wafting from your kitchen? That warm, nutty, and sweet aroma promises a little slice of happiness. If your love for peanut butter runs deep, you’ve just hit the jackpot! We’re diving into a treasure trove of ten incredible peanut butter cookie recipes that range from classic no-bakes to stunning stuffed creations.

Whether you’re a baking newbie or a seasoned pro, this list has your next favorite recipe. So, grab your jar of creamy peanut butter and let’s get mixing!

1. The Shortcut Superstar: Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cookies

Who says amazing cookies require a long list of ingredients? This recipe proves that a simple box of cake mix creates magic. You get wonderfully soft and chewy cookies with almost zero effort.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 box (12.25 oz) yellow cake mix

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter

• ½ cup oil

• 2 large eggs

Let’s Bake!

1. First, you preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, you combine the yellow cake mix, peanut butter, oil, and eggs. You stir everything until a soft dough forms. It’s that easy!

3. Then, you roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them a couple of inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. For that classic look, you press down with a fork in a crisscross pattern.

4. You bake them for 8-10 minutes, just until the edges set. They might look a little soft in the center, but that’s the secret to their chewiness!

5. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack. Enjoy the simple perfection!

2. The Timeless Classic: Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

You know and love these! A tender, crumbly peanut butter cookie hugs a sweet milk chocolate Hershey’s Kiss in a perfect embrace. They’re a timeless treat that never fails to delight.

What You’ll Need:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• ¼ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed

• 1 large egg

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 bag of Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped

Let’s Bake!

1. You preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a medium bowl, you whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.

3. In a separate large bowl, you cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. You beat in the egg and vanilla extract.

4. Gradually, you add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until everything combines.

5. You roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on an ungreased baking sheet.

6. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cookies sport a light golden brown color.

7. The moment the cookies come out of the oven, you gently press a Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each one. As they cool, the chocolate will set perfectly.

3. The Elegant Bite: Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

These cookies are simply beautiful. A rich, fudgy chocolate ganache pools in the center of a soft peanut butter cookie, creating a stunning and decadent two-bite wonder.

What You’ll Need:

• For the Cookies:

  • ½ cup salted butter, softened

  • ½ cup granulated white sugar

  • ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed

  • ¾ cup creamy peanut butter

  • 1 large egg

  • 1½ tsp vanilla extract

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• For the Ganache:

  • ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

  • ½ cup heavy cream

Let’s Bake!

1. You start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. You cream the butter, both sugars, and peanut butter together until smooth. Then, you beat in the egg and vanilla.

3. You gradually mix in the flour until a soft dough forms.

4. You roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet. Now, using your thumb or the back of a small spoon, you make a deep indentation in the center of each ball.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes. If the indentations puff up, you can gently press them down again while the cookies are still warm.

6. For the ganache, you place the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. You heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it just begins to simmer, then you pour it over the chocolate chips. Let it sit for a minute, then you whisk until the mixture is smooth and glossy.

7. Once the cookies are completely cool, you spoon the chocolate ganache into each thumbprint. Let the ganache set before serving.

4. The Crunchy Delight: Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies

These no-bake cookies deliver an incredible crunch! With a chewy, sweet base and the crisp texture of cornflakes, they are a textural dream come true.

What You’ll Need:

• 5 cups cornflake cereal

• ½ cup light corn syrup

• ¼ cup maple syrup

• ¾ cup white granulated sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter

Let’s Make Them!

1. You line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large saucepan, you combine the corn syrup, maple syrup, and sugar. You cook this over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a gentle boil and the sugar dissolves.

3. You remove the pan from the heat and immediately stir in the vanilla extract and peanut butter. You mix until the peanut butter melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth.

4. Quickly, you add the cornflake cereal and gently fold them in until every flake is coated in the delicious peanut butter mixture.

5. You drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and let them cool completely until they set. That’s it—no oven required!

5. The Quintessential No-Bake: Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

This is the classic we all know and love. Oats, cocoa, and peanut butter come together in a fudgy, chewy cookie that you whip up on the stovetop. It’s a nostalgic treat that’s impossibly easy.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 stick butter

• 1½ cups sugar

• ½ cup milk

• ¼ cup cocoa powder

• 1 cup peanut butter

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 3 cups quick-cook oats

• ¼ tsp salt

Let’s Make Them!

1. You line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a medium saucepan, you combine the butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa powder. You bring this to a rolling boil over medium heat, letting it boil for exactly one minute while you stir constantly.

3. You remove the pan from the heat and immediately stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract until they melt and combine.

4. Then, you stir in the quick oats and salt.

5. You drop the mixture by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet and let the cookies cool and firm up for at least 30 minutes.

6. The Surprise Inside: Stuffed Peanut Butter Cookies

Prepare to amaze your friends! These cookies look like a classic chocolate peanut butter number on the outside, but they hide a sweet, creamy peanut butter surprise in the center.

What You’ll Need:

• For the Filling:

  • 1 cup smooth peanut butter

  • ½ cup powdered sugar (optional, for a firmer filling)

• For the Cookie Dough:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • ½ tsp baking powder

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • ½ cup cocoa powder

Let’s Bake!

1. First, you make the filling by mixing the peanut butter with the powdered sugar (if using) until it’s combined. You scoop teaspoon-sized balls of this mixture onto a plate and freeze them for at least 30 minutes. This makes them easier to wrap.

2. You preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

3. For the dough, you cream the butter and both sugars. You beat in the eggs, one at a time.

4. In a separate bowl, you whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder. You gradually add this to the wet ingredients, mixing until a chocolate dough forms.

5. To assemble, you take a portion of the chocolate dough and flatten it in your hand. You place a frozen peanut butter ball in the center and carefully wrap the dough around it, sealing it completely.

6. You place the stuffed dough balls on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. The result is a cookie with a molten, surprise peanut butter center!

7. The Festive Showstopper: Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies (Peppermint Twist!)

We’re putting a festive spin on the classic Blossom! This version uses peppermint bark for a cool, minty, and chocolatey surprise that’s perfect for the holidays.

What You’ll Need:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ cup creamy peanut butter

• 1½ cups sugar

• 1 large egg

• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 2 tbsp milk

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• 3 tbsp cocoa powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ¼ tsp salt

• 1 bag of Hershey’s Peppermint Bark Kisses or Pieces, unwrapped

• ½ cup white sprinkles for rolling

Let’s Bake!

1. You preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. You cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugar. Then, you beat in the egg, vanilla, and milk.

3. In another bowl, you whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. You gradually mix this into the peanut butter mixture.

4. You place the white sprinkles in a small bowl. You roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then you roll each ball in the sprinkles to coat it.

5. Place the balls on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes.

6. As soon as they come out of the oven, you press a piece of peppermint bark into the center of each cookie. The result is a stunning, festive, and delicious treat!

8. The Unbelievably Soft Classic: Peanut Butter Pudding Cookies

The secret to the softest cookie you’ll ever eat? A box of instant pudding mix! It locks in moisture and creates an incredibly tender, cake-like cookie that stays soft for days.

What You’ll Need:

• ½ cup butter shortening

• ¼ cup creamy peanut butter

• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• 1 package (3.5 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix

• 3 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

Let’s Bake!

1. You preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a large bowl, you cream the shortening, peanut butter, and both sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. You beat in the vanilla pudding mix until it’s fully incorporated.

3. You beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.

4. In a separate bowl, you whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt. You gradually add this to the wet ingredients, mixing until everything just combines.

5. You roll the dough into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The centers should remain soft.

Bake Your Way to Bliss

From the simplest no-bake crunch to the most elegant chocolate-thumbprint, the world of peanut butter cookies is vast and wonderful. Each of these recipes offers a unique twist on a beloved favorite, proving that peanut butter truly is the king of cookie ingredients.

So, which one will you try first? Preheat that oven, clear some counter space, and get ready to fill your kitchen with the irresistible, warm scent of peanut butter bliss. Happy baking