Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tbsp granulated sugar (optional, for topping)

Instructions

1. Prepare the tray. Preheat the oven to 175 C / 350 F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Mix peanut butter and sugar. Add the peanut butter and sugar to a mixing bowl. Mix with a spatula or hand mixer until smooth and well combined.
3. Add egg and vanilla. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until completely combined.
4. Add dry ingredients. Add the baking soda and salt. Stir gently until you have a soft, slightly sticky cookie dough. Do not overmix.
5. Shape the cookies. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough for each cookie and roll into balls. Place them on the prepared tray, leaving about 2 inches between each one.
6. Press the tops. Use a fork to gently press each cookie twice in a criss-cross pattern. Do not flatten them too much.
7. Bake. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges look set but the centers still look slightly soft.
8. Cool. Leave the cookies on the baking tray for 5 minutes so they can firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack.