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–+ servings
Peanut Butter Cookies
This vintage Peanut Butter Cookie recipe is a nostalgic treat that harks back to classic homemade baking. The simple ingredients reflect the era of pantry staples and warm kitchens, where peanut butter was a treasured comfort food. These cookies are soft, chewy, and full of rich, nutty flavor, making them perfect for lunchboxes, holiday trays, or late-night snacks. They're a timeless staple in American baking and a sweet reminder of how the simplest recipes often bring the most joy.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 24 cookies
Calories 115 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • ½ cup shortening
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

  • In a large bowl, cream together peanut butter, shortening, and brown sugar.
  • Add milk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

  • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry

  • Gradually stir dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a dough forms.

Step 5: Drop & Bake

  • Drop spoonfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake at 350°F for 8 minutes or until lightly golden.

Step 6: Cool & Serve

  • Let cookies cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or store in an airtight container.

Tips

  • Add chocolate chips or chopped peanuts for extra texture.
  • Chill the dough 20 minutes for thicker cookies.
  • Roll dough balls in granulated sugar for a crackly finish.
  • Add a pinch of cinnamon for warmth.
  • Make them thumbprint-style and fill with jam after baking.
  • Swap shortening for butter for richer flavor (cookies spread more).
  • Add a drizzle of melted chocolate once cooled.
  • Use crunchy peanut butter for more texture.
  • Turn them into ice-cream sandwiches using vanilla ice cream.

Nutrition

Calories: 115kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 2.2gFat: 6.7gSaturated Fat: 1.7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.6gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.7gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 82mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 0.7gSugar: 7.8gVitamin A: 20IUCalcium: 19mgIron: 0.6mg
Keyword baking from scratch, classic cookies, cookies, easy, easy baking, family favorite, nostalgic, peanut butter, peanut butter cocoa, vintage recipe
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