Much like my beloved peanut butter Oreo cookies, this brown butter iteration of peanut butter cookies is designed for simplicity without compromising on a powerful flavor punch. Peanut butter is undoubtedly one of my absolute favorite flavors to explore when I’m developing new recipes. Its rich, comforting notes provide an incredible base for so many delightful treats.

The Magic of Brown Butter

These peanut butter cookies elevate their game with the inclusion of brown butter, which imparts an unparalleled nutty, toasted depth to every bite. I know, I know – brown butter seems to be everywhere these days, but it’s for a truly good reason! It’s a deceptively simple technique that takes ordinary baked goods and infuses them with an incredible “oomph.” Plus, how sophisticated does it sound when you tell friends and family you’ve baked ✨brown butter✨ peanut butter cookies? The process involves gently cooking butter until its milk solids caramelize, turning a beautiful golden brown and releasing a fragrant, hazelnut-like aroma. This subtle yet significant change in flavor transforms a standard cookie into a gourmet experience.

If you’re eager for more peanut butter delights, don’t miss out on my irresistible no-bake peanut butter fudge (a serious crowd-pleaser, especially during the holidays!) and my decadent peanut butter cream cheese brownies. Each offers a unique way to enjoy this classic, comforting flavor.

Why This Recipe is Your New Favorite: No-Chill, One-Bowl Perfection!

When I set out to create the ultimate peanut butter cookie, my primary goals were clear: they had to be unbelievably easy to make, without the need for a stand mixer, and absolutely no chilling time. Many cookie recipes demand hours of chilling, which can be a real roadblock when a craving strikes. This recipe delivers instant gratification without sacrificing quality or texture.

One common challenge with baking peanut butter cookies is that they can often turn out too thick or dry. During extensive testing (and believe me, there was a lot of taste-testing involved!), I meticulously adjusted the ratios of flour, butter, eggs, and sugar. The result is a perfectly balanced dough that bakes into a consistently soft, wonderfully chewy cookie every single time. You won’t find any crumbly, dry cookies here – just pure, melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

For those new to the art of browning butter, I highly recommend checking out my dedicated blog post on how to make brown butter. It includes step-by-step photos and a video demonstration, guiding you through the visual cues and aromas that tell you your brown butter is perfectly toasted and ready to infuse your cookies with its incredible flavor.

To give these cookies a distinctive, bakery-style appearance that sets them apart from typical drop cookies, I incorporated a simple yet effective step: rolling each cookie dough ball in granulated sugar just before baking. This not only adds a beautiful sparkle but also provides a delightful textural crunch with every bite. While I adore this extra touch, you can certainly skip this step if you prefer a less sparkly finish – I’ve tested these cookies both ways, and they’re delicious either way!

Decoding the 10 Essential Ingredients

• Commercial Peanut Butter is Key: For this recipe, you absolutely want the creamy, shelf-stable type of peanut butter, like Jif or Skippy. While I often use natural peanut butter with the oil layer on top for other dishes and smoothies, it’s not suitable here. Natural peanut butter has a different fat-to-solid ratio which can significantly impact the cookie’s texture, leading to a dry and crumbly result. Stick to the classic for that perfect soft and chewy consistency.
• Unsalted Butter (Preferably European Style): Using unsalted butter gives you complete control over the salt content in your cookies. If salted butter is all you have, you might want to slightly reduce the amount of added salt in the recipe. I specifically recommend European-style butter, especially when browning, because its higher butterfat content creates more flavorful milk solids, resulting in a richer, nuttier brown butter with a deeper flavor profile.
• Granulated Sugar: This provides sweetness and contributes to the crispness of the cookie edges, especially when rolled in sugar.
• Light Brown Sugar: Essential for that signature chewiness and depth of flavor. The molasses in brown sugar adds moisture and a subtle caramel note.
• Vanilla Extract: A crucial flavor enhancer that complements the peanut butter and brown butter notes beautifully.
• Kosher Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors. Always use kosher salt unless specified otherwise, as it has a different crystal size than table salt.
• Large Eggs (Room Temperature): Room temperature eggs incorporate more evenly into the batter, leading to a smoother, more consistent cookie dough and a better final texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of our cookies. Ensure you measure it correctly for the right texture.
• Baking Soda: A leavening agent that helps the cookies spread and become tender.
• Baking Powder: Another leavening agent that provides lift and softness, preventing the cookies from becoming too dense.

1. Step 1: Brown the Butter. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the butter foams, then subsides, and the milk solids at the bottom turn a beautiful golden brown and smell nutty. Pour into a large bowl and let it cool slightly.

2. Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients. Once the brown butter has cooled, add the smooth peanut butter and whisk until thoroughly combined and smooth. Then, mix in both granulated sugar, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, and kosher salt until well incorporated.

3. Step 3: Incorporate Eggs. Crack in the large eggs (ensure they are at room temperature for best incorporation) and mix thoroughly until they are fully combined into the peanut butter mixture.

4. Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients. Gently pour in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Use a rubber spatula to fold and mix the ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are fine.

5. Step 5: Scoop and Sugar-Roll. Using a 3-tablespoon sized cookie scoop (or just a regular tablespoon), scoop out portions of dough and gently roll them into uniform balls. Then, roll each dough ball generously in extra granulated sugar for that signature sparkly finish. Place them on your prepared baking sheets, leaving enough space for spreading.

6. Step 6: Bake and Enjoy! Bake your cookie dough balls in a preheated oven until the edges are golden brown and set, but the centers remain slightly soft and gooey. Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack. Then, indulge in your delicious creations!

Don’t Want to Brown Butter? No Problem!

Perhaps you’re short on time, or maybe you haven’t ventured into brown butter territory yet and today just isn’t the day. You can absolutely still make these delicious cookies! Simply skip the browning step and instead, melt 1.5 sticks plus 4 teaspoons (approximately 190 grams) of unsalted butter. You can do this in the microwave or on the stovetop. While you’ll miss the unique nutty depth that brown butter provides, you’ll still end up with a fantastic, soft, and chewy peanut butter cookie.

Pro Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies from My Kitchen!

• Combat Dry Cookie Dough: It’s not uncommon for cookie dough to sometimes appear a bit dry, especially with brown butter as some moisture is lost during the browning process. The exact dryness can also vary depending on your specific brand of flour and peanut butter. If your cookie dough feels overly crumbly or dry, simply add 1 tablespoon of whole milk or heavy cream, mixing it in until the dough reaches a pliable, workable consistency.
• The “Scoot Scoot” Technique for Perfect Circles: For those coveted, perfectly round, bakery-style cookies, here’s a secret tip! As soon as your cookies come out of the oven – while they’re still warm and pliable – use a large biscuit cutter or a wide-mouthed mug. Place it around each cookie and gently “scoot” the cookie inside the cutter in a circular motion. This smooths out any uneven edges and creates beautifully uniform, round cookies.
• Embrace the Kitchen Scale: I cannot stress this enough – using a kitchen scale is a game-changer for baking accuracy. Measuring ingredients by weight rather than volume (cups) ensures far greater consistency in your results. Plus, it often means fewer measuring cups to wash, making cleanup a breeze. It’s a win-win for precise baking and a tidier kitchen!
• Avoid Overmixing: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense cookies instead of soft and chewy ones. A light hand is key!

Storage & Make Ahead: Enjoy Freshly Baked Goodness Anytime

These brown butter peanut butter cookies are so delicious, you’ll want to savor every last bite. Properly storing them ensures they stay fresh and delightful for days. For optimal freshness, store your baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain wonderfully soft and flavorful for 4-5 days.

For convenience, you can prepare the cookie dough ahead of time. Form the cookie dough balls as directed and store them in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. If you want to plan even further ahead, you can freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls. However, hold off on rolling them in sugar until just before baking when baking from frozen. Place the dough balls in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months.

When you’re ready to bake frozen dough, simply take them out of the freezer while your oven preheats. Roll them in granulated sugar (if desired) just before placing them on the baking sheet. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time to ensure they’re perfectly cooked through.

Try These Other Irresistible Cookie Recipes Next!

If you loved these brown butter peanut butter cookies, you’re in for a treat with some of my other favorite cookie creations. Each recipe offers a unique flavor profile and delightful texture, perfect for satisfying any sweet craving:

If you’ve whipped up a batch of these amazing cookies, please make sure to leave a ⭐️ rating and a thoughtful review below! I absolutely adore seeing your creations, so don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @alpineella so I can share your baking triumphs! You can also follow along for more delicious recipes and baking inspiration on Pinterest, Facebook, and TikTok!

Brown Butter Peanut Butter Cookies (No Chill)

Ella Gilbert

Nutrition