Simple Homemade Peanut Butter Cookies

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter and granulated sugar. Use a hand mixer or spoon to cream them together until smooth and well combined.

3. Add the egg, vanilla extract, baking soda, and salt to the peanut butter mixture. Mix everything together until a soft dough forms. The dough will be slightly sticky but should come together easily.

4. If desired, pour some additional granulated sugar into a small bowl. This step is optional but will give your cookies a delightful crunch and sweetness on the outside.

5. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, portion out about 1 tablespoon of dough. Roll it into a ball between your palms. If you opted for the sugar coating, roll the dough ball in the granulated sugar until coated evenly.

6. Place the dough ball on the prepared baking sheet. Using a fork, gently press down on the dough ball to create a crisscross pattern on top. Repeat this process for the remaining dough, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart as they will spread slightly during baking.

7. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and slightly golden. The centers may seem slightly underbaked, but they will continue to set as they cool.

8. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Be careful as they will be delicate when hot.

9. Enjoy these Simple Homemade Peanut Butter Cookies with a glass of milk, hot cocoa, or your favorite warm beverage. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week (if they last that long!)