Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

### **How to Make Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies**

#### **Step 1: Prepare the Dough**
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the peanut butter, softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

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#### **Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients**
1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
2. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.

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#### **Step 3: Chill the Dough**
1. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies maintain their thick, chewy texture during baking.

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#### **Step 4: Shape and Bake**
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. Scoop the dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each.
3. Flatten each ball slightly with the back of a fork, creating the classic crisscross pattern.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden. The centers may look slightly underdone—that’s okay!

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#### **Step 5: Cool and Enjoy**
1. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Serve with a glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly indulgent treat.

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### **Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Cookies**

1. **Use Creamy Peanut Butter:** Stick with classic, processed peanut butter for the best texture. Natural peanut butter may alter the consistency.
2. **Don’t Skip Chilling:** Chilling the dough is crucial for thick, chewy cookies.
3. **Check for Doneness Early:** Peanut butter cookies can go from perfect to overbaked quickly. Remove them from the oven while they’re slightly soft in the center.
4. **Add a Twist:** Stir in chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, or a drizzle of melted chocolate for added flavor.

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### **Why These Cookies Are a Crowd-Pleaser**

Peanut butter cookies are a timeless favorite for good reason. Their warm, nutty aroma and melt-in-your-mouth texture bring comfort and joy with every bite. This thick and chewy version takes the classic recipe up a notch, offering bakery-quality results right from your own kitchen.

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### **Serving Suggestions**

– **Classic Combo:** Pair with a cold glass of milk.
– **Ice Cream Sandwich:** Scoop your favorite ice cream between two cookies for a decadent dessert.
– **Gift Idea:** Wrap them in a decorative tin for a thoughtful homemade gift.

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### **Conclusion**

These **Thick and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies** are the ultimate indulgence for any peanut butter lover. Simple to make, packed with flavor, and boasting the perfect texture, they’re bound to become a staple in your baking repertoire.

So grab your mixing bowl and get ready to bake a batch of cookies that will have everyone reaching for seconds—and maybe even thirds!