Alton Brown Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

This Alton Brown Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe is chewy and rich, which uses smooth peanut butter and brown sugar. It’s a straightforward recipe, ready in about 25 minutes.

Alton Brown Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe Ingredients

• 1 cup smooth peanut butter
• 2/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

How To Make Alton Brown Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

1. Preheat and prep pans: Preheat oven to 350°F and place racks in the upper-middle and lower-middle positions. Line two half-sheet pans with parchment paper.
2. Mix the base: Combine peanut butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon, then press the mixture against the sides of the bowl to fully incorporate the sugar.
3. Add remaining ingredients: Stir in the egg, baking soda, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth.
4. Scoop and shape: Use a 1 1/2-tablespoon scoop to make 16 evenly sized dough rounds, placing 8 per baking sheet. Press each one with a fork in a crisscross pattern to flatten to about 2 1/2 inches wide.
5. Bake and cool: Bake for 10 minutes, rotating the sheets halfway through. Let cookies cool on the pans on wire racks for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Can I use chunky peanut butter?
  Yes, but it may change the texture slightly and make the dough harder to mix.
• Why use both sugars?
  Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while granulated sugar provides a crisp edge.
• How to make cookies ahead of time:
  The dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
• How to get smooth cookies:
  Roll the dough into balls before pressing if you prefer a uniform look.
• Why rotate baking sheets?
  It ensures even baking on both racks and prevents overbrowning.

What To Serve With Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies are great on their own or with:

• A cold glass of milk
• Vanilla or chocolate ice cream
• Coffee or espresso
• Hot cocoa
• A fruit salad

How To Store Peanut Butter Cookies

Room Temperature:
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freeze:
Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. For unbaked dough, freeze shaped rounds and bake directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to baking time.

Peanut Butter Cookies Nutrition Facts

• Calories: ~160
• Protein: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fat: 9g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 13g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! The recipe is naturally flourless, making it gluten-free as written.

How do I know when they’re done?
They should be just set and lightly golden—don’t overbake.

Why do my cookies fall apart?
Make sure they cool for at least 10 minutes so they firm up properly.

Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Just bake in batches and rotate pans for even results.

Try More Recipes:

• Alton Brown Beef Jerky Recipe
• Alton Brown Fried Turkey Recipe
• Alton Brown French Onion Soup Recipe