Pumpkin Bread Recipe

If you dream of baking a batch of cookies that are brimming with old-fashioned charm and time-tested flavor, let me introduce you to my all-time favorite: Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies. These cookies are a warm embrace of nostalgia—crispy-edged, chewy-centered, and bursting with rich, peanutty goodness. Each bite brings you a taste of Southern comfort, straight from the Carter family’s kitchen. Whether you’re a peanut butter cookie devotee or just discovering the joys of home baking, this is the recipe you’ll want to share (and maybe even keep a secret stash for yourself!).

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies lies in their simplicity, using humble pantry staples that come together to create cookie perfection. Each ingredient plays its own special part, giving these cookies their iconic flavor and irresistible texture.

• Creamy peanut butter: The star of the show, delivering unmistakable flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and helps the cookies spread just right while baking.
• Granulated sugar: Provides a sweet, crisp finish to the edges.
• Brown sugar, packed: Lends moisture and a hint of caramel for chewiness.
• Large eggs: Give the dough structure and help bind everything together.
• All-purpose flour: Forms the sturdy foundation, ensuring the cookies hold their classic shape.
• Baking soda: Promotes the perfect amount of spread and a tender crumb.
• Baking powder: Adds a gentle lift for a lighter bite.
• Salt: Just a touch to enhance all the beautiful flavors.

How to Make Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet

First things first: set your oven to preheat at 350°F (175°C). While that’s happening, line a baking sheet with parchment paper to make sure your cookies bake up evenly and release easily. This quick step guarantees perfectly golden cookies—with minimal cleanup!

Step 2: Cream Together the Butters and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, softened butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for the best results—beat the mixture until it’s creamy, smooth, and just a little fluffy. This process creates the base for that classic, slightly crinkly cookie texture Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies are known for.

Step 3: Add the Eggs

Now, crack in the eggs. Add them one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Doing this ensures that your dough stays smooth and even, which is the secret to melt-in-the-mouth cookies every single time.

Step 4: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This step guarantees an even distribution of the leaveners, so every cookie gets its perfect rise and tender crumb.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixes

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together. Avoid overmixing—stir until you see no streaks of flour and the dough is cohesive. At this point, you can gently fold in a handful of chopped peanuts or chocolate chips for a fun twist, just as you might imagine the Carter family experimenting with in their own kitchen.

Step 6: Shape and Mark the Cookies

Scoop walnut-sized balls of dough (about 1 inch across) and space them a couple of inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Use a fork to press a crisscross pattern into each ball—this classic step not only gives Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies their iconic look but also helps flatten them for even baking.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide your cookies into the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes. Keep an eye on the edges: you want them just set and lightly golden, while the centers should remain a touch soft. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 2–3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack—if you can resist sneaking one warm from the tray!

How to Serve Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies

Garnishes

Want to dress these cookies up without much fuss? Try a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right after baking for a sweet-salty kick, or drizzle them with a bit of melted chocolate. A dusting of powdered sugar can add an old-school touch, too—just like grandma might have done.

Side Dishes

Nothing pairs better with Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies than a cold glass of milk, of course! For adult gatherings, you can offer them with strong coffee or a tall glass of sweet iced tea. These cookies also cozy up perfectly alongside a bowl of vanilla ice cream for an effortless dessert everyone will remember.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to make them the star of your next bake sale or gathering? Stack them in parchment-lined gift boxes, arrange on vintage cake stands, or wrap in twine for a sweet, rustic finish. Mini ‘cookie sandwiches’ with a smear of peanut butter or chocolate ganache in the center are guaranteed to impress and echo that Southern hospitality Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies are all about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These cookies are just as delightful on day two or three! Store leftover Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay soft and flavorful for up to five days. Slipping a slice of bread inside the container can help keep them extra-moist.

Freezing

If you want to save some for a rainy day (or midnight cravings), freeze the baked cookies in a single layer until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. You can also freeze portioned dough balls—just place them directly on a baking sheet from the freezer and add a minute or two to the bake time. Frozen, these cookies keep their charm for up to three months.

Reheating

When you want that just-baked taste, pop a cookie in the microwave for about ten seconds. For a touch of crispiness, you can also warm them in a 300°F oven for a couple minutes. Either way, your kitchen will smell like sweet, peanutty magic all over again!

FAQs

Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?

Absolutely! Chunky peanut butter adds a delightful bit of texture and crunch. Just keep in mind the cookies may spread a bit less, but you’ll get pockets of roasted peanut throughout every bite.

Do I have to use both white and brown sugar?

Using both sugars is part of what makes Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies so special—brown sugar provides chewiness and depth, while white sugar gives those crisp edges. For the best results, try not to substitute one for the other.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free 1:1 baking blend. The texture will be slightly different but still lusciously peanut buttery and satisfying.

Should I chill the dough before baking?

Chilling isn’t absolutely necessary, but if your kitchen is warm or you want extra-thick cookies, a 30-minute chill in the fridge can help control the spread and intensify the flavors.

How do I know when the cookies are done?

The magic moment is when the edges look set and slightly golden, but the centers seem a touch underdone—they’ll continue to firm up as they cool, giving you that ideal soft-and-chewy texture Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies are famous for.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a cookie that feels like a family memory and tastes like pure Southern joy, you owe it to yourself to try Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or put your own twist on it, these cookies have a way of bringing people together, one delicious bite at a time.

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