Looking for the “best” Peanut Butter Cookie!

We all have cravings. Some remain the same, some change like the weather in the city of Buffalo.
Lately I have been craving a peanut butter cookie! Years ago it may have been chocolate chip, but I can’t eat those anymore. An old school mate and my husband reminded me of the DELICIOUS peanut butter cookies at our high school (City Honors). Rich peanut butter taste. Crisp, but chewy. Mmmmmm.
I started looking for a basic recipe that would provide the product I desired. Well of course there are TONS of recipes with authors claiming they are the best. The “best” is relative, the best for one person may not be the best for another! Knowing this I want to find out what is the best recipe for MY family.
So I polled my family “can you describe what your perfect peanut butter cookie would be?”

Dreys: Soft; but stiff with a snap
Eman: Soft and chewy
Emeka: Crispy, soft and chewy
Alexa: Chewy, crisp on the edges

I have made two batches so far. Pretty much the same recipe, however, the first night I didn’t have enough peanut butter so I had to incorporate some Nutella! Not a bad idea. I also used brown sugar. I added some Grey sea salt from France on the top. Yummy! Tonight I am working on the tried and true recipe:

1 cup Peanut Butter
1 cup Sugar
1 egg
* 1 Tablespoon of Vanilla (optional)

Mix all ingredients. Refrigerate for at least 20 min. Make a 1″ ball press with fork. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Makes about 15-18 cookies.

First up: Modified basic recipe with brown sugar and Nutella. No refrigerating.

Not bad. Pretty tasty. Everyone liked it fresh out of the oven, it was pretty unstable though, crumbly. The Nutella made it darker (you cant tell in the picture) The sea salt is definitely a winner! While eating the day old cookies Eman said, “Now this is my type of cookie”.

Now today: The tried and true recipe, with a bit of sea salt on top. I used Peter Pan natural PB. (3g of sugar)

First off, they look very different. Not as thin. The texture appears different as well. After the taste test…it tastes like a Reese’s peanut butter cup! Mmmmm very rich. Edreys says a little too much salt. I thought it was the perfect salty & sweet combo. The boys tried those without the salt. All in all a good PB cookie…but was it the BEST?

What is your perfect PB cookie? If you feel the urge send me a recipe, I will see if it is the best for us!!!