Name: Bakery-Style Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 42 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup Butter (cold, cut into small cubes); 1 cup Brown Sugar (packed); 1 cup Sugar; 1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter (Jif or Skippy); 2 large Eggs; 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract; 2 3/4 cups Flour; 1 teaspoon Baking Soda; 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder; 1/8 teaspoon Salt (optional); 1 1/2 cups Peanut Butter Chips; 1/4 to 1/3 cup Chopped Peanuts (optional)

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 35 reviews

There is something truly magical about indulging in a cookie that feels like it just came from your favorite neighborhood bakery. This Bakery-Style Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe gives you exactly that experience—soft, thick, and packed with the rich, comforting flavor of peanut butter. With a perfect balance of sweetness, a hint of vanilla, and delightful peanut butter chips, these cookies are made to satisfy every craving. Whether you bake them for a cozy afternoon treat or share them with friends, they never fail to bring smiles and a touch of warmth to any occasion.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows five light golden brown cookies on a white marbled surface, with one cookie broken in half in the front center, revealing a soft and chewy inside full of caramel-colored chips and small nut pieces. The broken cookie's interior has a rough, crumbly texture with visible caramel chips embedded throughout. In the background, three whole cookies are slightly blurred, all studded with caramel chips on their smooth tops. Around the cookies, a few loose caramel chips and light tan nut pieces are scattered. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step toward baking these irresistible cookies. Each component plays an essential role, from the creamy peanut butter that delivers rich flavor to the brown sugar which adds moisture and a caramel-like depth. These simple pantry staples come together to create cookies with incredible texture and taste.

Butter (1 cup, cold, cut into small cubes): Cold butter helps create tender layers as it melts slowly while baking.
Brown Sugar (1 cup, packed): Adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor for chewy, soft centers.
Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens and contributes to the cookie’s crisp edges.
Creamy Peanut Butter (1 cup): Use your favorite brand like Jif or Skippy for that classic peanut butter taste and creamy texture.
Eggs (2 large): Bind the ingredients, add richness, and help with that perfect rise.
Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances the flavors and adds a warm, aromatic note.
Flour (2 3/4 cups): The structure of the cookie, carefully measured to keep these cookies thick and soft.
Baking Soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise and develop a light texture.
Baking Powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds extra lift for that bakery-style thickness.
Salt (1/8 teaspoon, optional): Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Peanut Butter Chips (1 1/2 cups): Little bursts of peanut buttery goodness throughout every bite.
Chopped Peanuts (1/4 to 1/3 cup, optional): Adds crunch and a rustic nutty texture, if you like a bit of variety.

How to Make Bakery-Style Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter, Peanut Butter, and Sugars

Begin by beating the cold butter, creamy peanut butter, brown sugar, and sugar together in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed. This process whips air into the base, making the dough light and fluffy—about 3 to 4 minutes. This is where your cookies start their journey toward that bakery-like softness and texture.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, add the eggs and vanilla extract to the fluffy mixture and beat until everything is well combined. The eggs enrich the dough, giving the cookies body and moisture, while the vanilla adds a subtle depth of flavor that beautifully complements the peanut butter.

Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

It’s time to bring in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold these dry ingredients into your wet mixture to develop the structure without overworking the dough. The combination of baking soda and powder ensures that your cookies will rise properly, creating that perfect thick bakery-style texture.

Step 4: Stir in Peanut Butter Chips and Optional Peanuts

Mix in the peanut butter chips and, if using, the chopped peanuts. The chips will melt slightly during baking, giving you pockets of gooey peanut butter, while the nuts add a layer of delightful crunch. You can also reserve some chips to press on top of the cookies after baking, for an irresistible finishing touch.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Don’t skip this important step! Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking, so you get thick, satisfying cookies every time, just like at the bakery.

Step 6: Portion and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Scoop the dough into large 5- to 6-ounce balls—roughly the size of a small baseball. Arrange them on the baking sheets with about 2 inches between each ball to allow room for rising. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes until the edges are golden and set but the centers are still soft. The cookies will firm up as they cool, so watch closely to avoid overbaking.

Step 7: Add Final Touches and Cool

Once out of the oven, gently press any reserved peanut butter chips on top for that signature bakery look. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to finish setting, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps preserve their thick, soft texture and ensures the chips look beautiful.

How to Serve Bakery-Style Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

A stack of four thick cookies is shown in close-up on a white marbled surface. Each cookie is golden brown with a soft and slightly crumbly texture, studded generously with light brown chips spread throughout. The top cookie is broken in half, revealing a chewy, dense inside with more chips embedded. Scattered light brown chips surround the stack on the surface. The background is dark and plain, making the cookies stand out clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

These cookies are delightful on their own, but you can jazz them up with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate for an extra layer of flavor. A few roasted peanuts scattered on top also add a lovely crunch and make them look extra inviting.

Side Dishes

Serve these thick peanut butter cookies alongside a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea. They also pair wonderfully with vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert. The rich peanut butter flavor combined with creamy sides makes for a true treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, sandwich two cookies with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of Nutella between them. You could also sprinkle crushed peanuts or cookie crumbs on top for texture. Wrapping a few in parchment paper tied with twine makes a perfect homemade gift for friends or family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay delicious for up to two days, maintaining their softness and flavor. If they begin to firm up, a brief few seconds in the microwave can revive that just-baked softness.

Freezing

Want to enjoy these delectable treats later? These cookies freeze exceptionally well. Place them in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag, removing as much air as possible, and store in the freezer for 2 to 3 months. When ready to eat, just thaw them at room temperature or warm lightly in the oven or microwave.

Reheating

To bring these cookies back to life, gently reheat them in a preheated oven at 300°F for 5 to 7 minutes or microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. This will soften the cookie and melt the peanut butter chips slightly, recreating that fresh-from-the-bakery experience.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add texture and an extra nutty crunch inside each cookie, but keep in mind it might affect how smooth the dough feels while mixing.

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough solidifies the fats and prevents cookies from spreading too much in the oven. This ensures you get that thick, soft texture that defines a bakery-style peanut butter cookie.

Can I substitute peanut butter chips with chocolate chips?

Definitely. Chocolate chips are a tasty alternative that pairs wonderfully with peanut butter. Mixing some peanut butter chips with chocolate chips can also make for a delicious combination!

Are these cookies gluten-free?

This recipe calls for all-purpose flour, so they are not gluten-free as-is. However, you could experiment with gluten-free flour blends designed for baking, but results may vary.

How long do these cookies stay fresh?

Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies remain fresh and soft for up to 2 days at room temperature. For longer storage, freezing is recommended.

Final Thoughts

Baking these Bakery-Style Thick Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe at home is such a joyful experience, especially when you bite into the warm, soft, and satisfying cookie you made yourself. They are perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself on a cozy day. I truly can’t recommend this recipe enough—once you try it, you’ll understand why it feels like having your very own bakery right in the kitchen!