Description
Delight in these charming Heart Shaped Peanut Butter Cookies, perfect for any occasion requiring a touch of love and sweetness. Made with creamy peanut butter, a blend of sugars, and a hint of vanilla, these cookies are soft, buttery, and adorned with a classic criss-cross fork pattern. With a quick prep and bake time, they are an easy treat to whip up for gatherings, holidays, or just a cozy day at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Sugars
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until fully combined, ensuring an even distribution of leavening and seasoning agents.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a mixer, beat the unsalted butter with both the brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy to create a light base for your cookie dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the large egg, creamy peanut butter, and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. First, use a spatula to fold the ingredients together to avoid a mess, then finish mixing with an electric mixer until no dry spots remain. Scrape down the sides to form one cohesive dough.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them between your palms into balls. Shape each ball into a heart by pinching the top to form the point and rounding the bottom as per the described heart-shaping technique.
- Create Criss-Cross Pattern: Gently press the top of each cookie with a fork to create a classic criss-cross design that adds a charming texture and aesthetic.
- Bake Cookies: Place the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Watch closely as they bake quickly—avoid overbaking to maintain their soft texture.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the sheets before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Repeat: Continue the process with the remaining dough until all cookies are baked and cooled. Enjoy your homemade heart-shaped peanut butter treats!
Notes
- For perfectly soft cookies, avoid overbaking; they should be slightly golden around the edges.
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for easier creaming with sugars.
- Use parchment paper to prevent cookies from sticking and promote even baking.
- The criss-cross pattern is traditional for peanut butter cookies and adds a decorative touch.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to a week.
- To create the heart shapes, pinch the top two edges of the cookie dough ball and round the bottom gently with fingers.
