Ingredients
Method
Preheat Your Oven
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This step ensures your cookies bake evenly without sticking to the pan.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
- Grab a large mixing bowl and combine the peanut butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Stir everything together until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. The applesauce acts as a binder in place of eggs, adding moisture to the dough without altering the flavor.
Add the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until a dough forms. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the cookies dense. If the dough feels too sticky, let it rest for 5–10 minutes to firm up slightly.
Shape the Cookies
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls using your hands. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. To create the classic peanut butter cookie look, press a fork into the top of each ball to form a crisscross pattern.
Bake
- Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes. The cookies will firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they appear slightly soft when you take them out of the oven.
Cool and Enjoy
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once they’ve cooled, grab a cookie (or two) and enjoy!