Everyone needs the perfect peanut butter cookie recipe, and this is the one. Perfectly soft and chewy peanut butter cookies that stay that way until they are gone!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a Kitchen Aid with the cookie paddle attached cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time and beat to incorporate after each one. Add the corn syrup, milk and vanilla and mix until light and fluffy, around 30 seconds. Add the flour, soda, and salt and mix until well combined. You will know the cookies have enough flour when you can touch the dough and roll it in your hands without it sticking to you. It shouldn't be sticky.
Roll a small ping-pong sized ball of cookie dough in your hands. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and lightly press with a fork twice, making a criss-cross shape on the top. Don’t be tempted to flatten them too much, they will spread nicely since you used butter and not margarine. The flattened cookie should be about a half inch thick. Bake for 9-11 minutes (I baked them 10 minutes even). Allow to cool on the pan for a minute or two before moving them to a wire rack to cool.
Store in an air-tight container once cooled so that you don’t stare at them all day and eat one every time you walk by.
Notes
Butter Temperature: Ensure butter is softened, not melted, for the best texture.
Use creamy peanut butter for a smooth consistency. Natural peanut butter can work, but mix it well to avoid oil separation.
Measure flour accurately using the spoon-and-level method to avoid dense cookies.
The dough should be smooth and not sticky. If too sticky, add a bit more flour until you can handle it easily.
Dip the fork in sugar or flour to prevent sticking when making the criss-cross pattern.
Bake until the edges are set, but the centers are still soft. Overbaking can lead to dry cookies.
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to keep cookies fresh and soft.