There are about 289,667 peanut butter cookie recipes on the internet. Many labeled “classic”. In my 50+ years of baking and experimenting, THIS IS absolutely the C.L.A.S.S.I.C. So easy, you can bake a batch in 30 minutes.

1 1/2 C. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c. peanut butter*
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 (packed) light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
1. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together the butter, peanut butter, and both sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat for 2 minutes. On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture, beating until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
3. Using a 1/4 c. cookie scoop, form balls and flatten slightly onto an ungreased cookie sheet, 2″ apart. Using the back of a fork or potato masher, lightly press a crisscross pattern into each cookie.
4. Bake until the edges are lightly browned, about 12 minutes. Cook on wire racks.

*I like using an organic, unsalted, less sugar peanut butter. It makes a dryer cookie with a finer crumb.

Makes about 20 large cookies