The hash mark may be one of the most prevalent symbols in modern life, but it’s been the “mark” of peanut butter cookies for more than eighty years, and for good reason. Pressing a hash mark into each cookie ensures this dense dough will flatten out and bake evenly. While using this kitchen-tested recipe ensures your peanut butter cookies will turn out perfectly. It’s been in Betty’s back pocket for quite some time, and you can bet this recipe isn’t going anywhere soon. Home cooks from all over have claimed this to be the best peanut butter cookie they’ve ever made—and we certainly agree! Soft and chewy with the perfect salty-sweet balance, these tender cookies will disappear at every potluck, party or cookie exchange. For an added bit of sparkle, roll your cookies in coarse sparkling sugar just before baking.
Ingredients
- 1/2cup granulated sugar
- 1/2cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2cup peanut butter
- 1/4cup shortening
- 1/4cup butter, softened
- 1egg
- 1 1/4cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
- 3/4teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4teaspoon salt
Steps
- 1Mix sugars, peanut butter, shortening, butter and egg in large bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm.
- 2Heat oven to 375°F.
- 3Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place about 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten in crisscross pattern with fork dipped into sugar.
- 4Bake 9 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 5 minutes; remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.
Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens
- tip 1Have a household full of kids? Mix up and chill the dough for up to to 24 hours ahead, cover it and refrigerate so you are ready to bake effortlessly bake on demoand. If too firm to scoop, let it stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- tip 2The fork crisscross is the classic way to make the distinctive look of peanut butter cookies, but you can use the bottom of a decorative juice glass like an old-fashioned cookie press.
- tip 3You can use either chunky or creamy peanut butter, but look for one that doesn’t need to be stirred before measuring.
- tip 4For a special treat, sandwich two of these all-time favorites together with a scoop of chocolate ice cream. Roll the edge in chopped candy bar or nuts.
- tip 5For extra sparkle, roll cookie balls in coarse sparkling sugar before baking.
