National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
Peanut butter cookies are remarkably easy to make, and so rewarding. The simplest recipe just uses three ingredients: peanut butter, sugar, and an egg.
Most people are familiar with peanut butter for its presence on sandwiches, often accompanied by jelly…or bananas (as was the favorite of Elvis Presley).
But peanut butter is also an extremely useful ingredient in the kitchen, added to savory meals or sweet desserts. Today, the featured baked good is the rich and tasty peanut butter cookie!
Peanut butter cookies are yummy snacks that can be enjoyed any time, but especially on National Peanut Butter Cookie Day.
How to Celebrate National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
Take some time to enjoy and celebrate National Peanut Butter Cookie Day in a variety of creative ways, such as:
Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
Celebrate National Peanut Butter Cookie Day by baking your own cookies using a traditional recipe – make sure to put traditional criss-cross fork marks on top – then enjoy eating them with friends and family.
One peanut butter cookie recipe is so easy that all it requires is three ingredients and can be whipped up super fast. No chilling or rising or waiting at all. Just mix, roll, bake and eat!
Try out this super simple recipe:
- 1 cup of peanut butter
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 egg
Stir the ingredients together, roll into balls, press with a fork, then bake in a 350-degree oven for about 12 minutes. Voila! Super easy and tasty peanut butter cookies.
Because this recipe is so easy, it’s a great one to try out with kids who are learning how to bake. And since it doesn’t contain flour, it’s a great option for people with gluten allergies. But don’t forget to preheat the oven because the cookie dough will be ready to go in no time!
Share Peanut Butter Cookies at Work
Keeping in mind that some people might have a peanut butter allergy (so be sure to ask around ahead of time) peanut butter cookie day would be a nice day to bring a treat of peanut butter cookies to share at work.
Make them at home or buy them in a bakery, then share them with coworkers and let them know that it’s National Peanut Butter Cookie Day!
Get Creative with Peanut Butter Cookies
For those who are more adventurous in the kitchen, consider going a bit more extreme with the peanut butter cookie recipes, with these types of ideas:
- Peanut Butter Roll-Out Cookies. Instead of making the standard round cookies, chill and roll the cookie dough, then stamp with cookie cutters into fun shapes. After baking, use frosting or icing to decorate.
- Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. Using the recipe above, substitute ½ cup packed brown sugar for the white sugar, then add a heap of chocolate chips and a teaspoon of baking soda.
Fluffernutter Sandwich Cookies. Make peanut butter cookies as normal. After cooling, turn them into sandwiches by spreading marshmallow fluff frosting in the middle.
History of National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
Peanut butter goes back pretty far into history. It has been discovered that the ancient Aztecs and Incas made a paste by mashing roasted peanuts, and that seems to have been the first known instance of the use of peanut butter.
Of course, it took quite some time after the ancient Aztecs and Incas for peanut butter to turn into peanut butter cookies.
Peanut butter cookies have been popular since the early 1900s. In fact, in 1913 the wife of the 28th US President, Woodrow Wilson, published a list of her cookie recipes, which generously included a recipe for Peanut Cookies that, of course, used peanut butter.
Further along, in 1916, an industry bulletin was produced to promote the use of peanuts. It was called “How to Grow the Peanut and 105 Ways of Preparing it for Human Consumption” and, when it was released, it included 3 different recipes for cookies made with peanuts.
The trajectory was clear and peanut butter cookies became a standard household item not long after that.
National Peanut Butter Cookie Day FAQs
Why were peanut butter cookies considered practical during wartime?
During World War II, peanut butter cookies became a practical treat due to rationing.
Sugar and butter were scarce, but peanut butter was affordable and shelf-stable. It doubled as a flavoring and fat substitute, making these cookies an easy, satisfying dessert when ingredients were limited.
Do peanut butter cookies have a link to Southern cuisine?
Peanut butter cookies are often associated with the American South, where peanuts have deep roots in agriculture.
George Washington Carver’s advocacy for peanuts highlighted their versatility, and Southern bakers embraced them in desserts, including these cookies.
Why do some recipes call for shortening instead of butter?
Shortening is used in some recipes to create a softer, chewier texture. Butter produces a richer flavor but can make cookies spread more.
Using shortening helps maintain the iconic crisscross shape and prevents over-browning.
What role does peanut butter play in gluten-free baking?
Peanut butter acts as a binding agent in gluten-free cookie recipes. Its natural oils and stickiness help hold ingredients together, eliminating the need for gluten.
This makes peanut butter cookies a popular choice for those avoiding wheat.
Are peanut butter cookies a modern invention?
No, they trace back to the early 20th century. Recipes for peanut-based cookies appeared after peanut butter became commercially available in the 1890s.
Early cookbooks recommended adding peanuts or peanut butter to standard cookie dough.
What’s the science behind the crisscross pattern on peanut butter cookies?
The crisscross pattern increases surface area, helping the dough cook evenly.
Peanut butter makes dough dense, so flattening the cookies with a fork ensures uniform baking. The pattern also became a recognizable trademark over time.
Are there regional variations of peanut butter cookies in the U.S.?
Yes, some regions add honey or molasses for a sweeter flavor. In the Midwest, peanut butter blossoms—cookies topped with chocolate—are a popular variation.
Each area adds unique touches, creating local spins on the classic treat.
How do people celebrate National Peanut Butter Cookie Day in creative ways?
Some host bake-offs, experimenting with variations like peanut butter sandwich cookies or adding spicy peanut sauces.
Others pair cookies with peanut butter cocktails or ice cream. It’s a fun excuse to try bold flavor combinations.
Did peanut butter cookies inspire other desserts?
Yes, they influenced the creation of peanut butter bars and pies. Peanut butter’s creamy texture and versatility made it a staple in American desserts, often starting with cookies as inspiration.
Are there any peanut butter cookie-related myths?
One myth claims peanut butter cookies can’t be baked without the crisscross. In truth, the fork pattern is aesthetic and functional but not required. Dropped or pressed cookie shapes bake just as well.
Need some inspiration?
Check out these videos for some extra inspiration in getting involved!
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