Once your dough is ready, drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about two inches apart. I often use a cookie scoop to make the process easier and ensure all my cookies are the same size. It also gives a more uniform look, which I absolutely love! Bake them in your preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges start to turn golden brown. Make sure not to over-bake; you want them to stay chewy in the center!
When the cookies are out of the oven, this is the best part: while they’re still warm, gently press a chocolate chip or Reese’s Piece in the center of each cookie. This not only looks beautiful but adds that extra chocolaty touch that we all crave! Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. Your kitchen will be filled with a warm, comforting aroma that calls everyone to taste these heavenly cookies.
Pro Tips for Best Results
I tested this recipe three ways: with creamy peanut butter, crunchy peanut butter, and even a natural peanut butter. My favorite turned out to be creamy – it creates that soft, chewy texture we all want without being too crumbly. If you do opt for crunchy, just remember that the cookies may have a bit more texture, which can be delightful in its own way!
Another tip I learned the hard way is to always use room temperature eggs. This small step can dramatically affect the final texture of your cookies. Room temperature ingredients blend more uniformly, ending up with a smoother batter that bakes up beautifully.
Lastly, don’t skip the chilling time! If you have the time, chill your cookie dough for 30 minutes before baking. It firms up the dough and gives the cookies a better shape, preventing them from spreading too much in the oven. I’ve also found that they tend to puff up a bit more with a chilling period.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake I see is not measuring the peanut butter accurately. I suggest using a measuring cup designed for sticky ingredients; it can make a world of difference! Just lightly spray it with a bit of cooking oil before scooping the peanut butter, and it will come out easily.(See the next page below to continue…)