Imagine sinking your teeth into a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth peanut butter cookie that's so easy to make, you'll wonder why you've never tried this before! This American-style pan cookie is the ultimate dessert for peanut butter lovers who want maximum flavor with minimal effort. With just a few simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes of total time, you can create a crowd-pleasing treat that will have everyone begging for seconds.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the oven rack in the center of the oven.
- Grease a 9-inch square baking pan or line it with parchment paper, ensuring the sides are covered for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter and brown sugar. Mix thoroughly using a wooden spoon or electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract to the peanut butter mixture. Mix until the ingredients are completely incorporated and the batter looks uniform.
- Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture, then fold in gently until evenly distributed.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan, using a spatula to spread it evenly across the entire surface.
- Use the back of a fork to create a crisscross pattern on the top of the batter, which will help the cookie bake evenly and create an attractive texture.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set but still slightly soft.
- Remove from the oven and let the pan cookie cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Carefully lift the cookie out of the pan using the parchment paper (if used) or cut directly in the pan into squares.
- Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before serving. The cookie will firm up as it cools.
Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients for the smoothest batter and most consistent texture.
- For extra richness, use creamy peanut butter, but natural peanut butter works too.
- Don't overmix the batter - mix just until ingredients are combined to keep the cookie tender.
- The fork crisscross pattern isn't just decorative - it helps the cookie bake evenly and creates a classic cookie look.
- Watch the baking time carefully; the cookie should be golden at the edges but still slightly soft in the center.
- Let the cookie cool completely before cutting to ensure clean, neat squares.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days for maximum freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 25mg
