Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies

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These cookies are straight out of a nostalgic Southern kitchen, loaded with peanut flavor and a delicate crumble that melts the moment it touches your tongue. Jimmy Carter’s grandmother was known for her classic Southern recipes, and these peanut butter cookies are no exception. They feel like a warm memory wrapped in a golden bite.

What makes these cookies so special isn’t just the peanut butter. It’s the old-fashioned way they come together: simple ingredients, no fuss, and a flavor that instantly reminds you of grandma’s warm oven on a chilly afternoon. Whether you eat them warm with milk or sneak them cold straight from the jar, they never disappoint.

Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe

You’ll love these peanut butter cookies for their irresistible balance of sweet and salty. The texture is just right—slightly crisp at the edges with a soft, chewy center. They hold up beautifully for lunchboxes, potlucks, or late-night cravings, and they freeze like a dream. The ingredients are pantry staples, so you can whip them up anytime.

The real charm is in the simplicity. You don’t need any fancy techniques or tools. Just one bowl, one fork, and a few minutes to bring these together. And best of all, they taste just like the ones your grandmother would make—if your grandmother happened to be Southern royalty.

What Kind of Peanut Butter Should I Use?

Creamy peanut butter works best in this recipe because it blends smoothly into the dough and gives each cookie a uniform texture. That said, if you love a bit of crunch, using chunky peanut butter is totally fair game. Just be sure to avoid natural peanut butter (the kind that separates) since it can make the dough oily and unpredictable.

Stick with a classic like Jif or Skippy for the most dependable results. They provide consistent salt and sweetness levels, which is important to achieving that familiar old-fashioned flavor. If you want to go bold, a spoonful of almond or cashew butter could be fun, but you’ll be drifting from Jimmy Carter’s family favorite.

Ingredients for the Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies keep it traditional and cozy with a handful of humble ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. That’s the beauty of old-school baking—it doesn’t take much to make something unforgettable.

• Peanut Butter
• Granulated Sugar
• Brown Sugar
• Egg
• All-Purpose Flour
• Baking Soda
• Salt
• Butter
• Vanilla Extract

Peanut Butter is the star, delivering rich, nutty flavor and soft, tender texture.

Granulated Sugar adds sweetness and helps create those iconic criss-cross ridges on top.

Brown Sugar brings a touch of molasses depth and helps the cookies stay chewy.

Egg binds the dough and adds structure.

All-Purpose Flour forms the backbone of the cookie, keeping it all together.

Baking Soda ensures lift and helps the cookies spread slightly as they bake.

Salt heightens all the other flavors.

Butter gives richness and a melt-in-your-mouth finish.

Vanilla Extract enhances the warmth of the peanut flavor with aromatic depth.

How To Make the Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This creates the base for a beautifully textured cookie.

Step 2: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat until fully incorporated and smooth.

Step 3: Mix in the Peanut Butter

Add the peanut butter and stir until the mixture is velvety and well combined. This is where the flavor really starts to shine.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix this into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.

Step 5: Scoop and Roll

Use a spoon or cookie scoop to shape the dough into balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 6: Press and Bake

Use a fork to create a criss-cross pattern on top of each cookie. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just golden.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve with milk or enjoy straight from the jar.

How to Serve and Store These Peanut Butter Cookies

These cookies are made for sharing, and the batch easily feeds about 18 to 24 people depending on cookie size. They’re wonderful served slightly warm with a cold glass of milk, but they also hold their charm once cooled and stored. If you’re planning to make them ahead, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze in layers with parchment paper between them, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temp when you’re ready to serve again.

Reheating isn’t necessary, but if you want that fresh-from-the-oven warmth, a quick 5-10 seconds in the microwave does the trick beautifully.

What to Serve With Peanut Butter Cookies?

Hot Chocolate

Rich, creamy hot chocolate pairs like a dream with these cookies. The warmth and sweetness contrast perfectly with the nutty flavor.

Vanilla Ice Cream

Serve your cookies with a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream for a nostalgic dessert duo that never fails.

Banana Pudding

Southern to its core, banana pudding adds a creamy balance and a little fruitiness that complements the cookie’s depth.

Apple Slices and Cheese

A sweet and savory platter makes these cookies feel like part of a thoughtful spread.

Chocolate Sauce Drizzle

Warm up some chocolate sauce and dip or drizzle over the cookies for a luxurious bite.

Afternoon Tea

These cookies pair beautifully with mild black tea or a nutty oolong, perfect for a charming midday treat.

Yogurt Parfait

Add a crumbled cookie to a yogurt parfait with berries and honey for a crunchy, sweet surprise.

Coffee

No Southern cookie spread is complete without a strong, hot cup of coffee on the side.

Want More Cookie Ideas with a Twist?

If you love Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies, you’ll probably enjoy these other nostalgic and flavor-packed cookie creations:

• Peanut Butter S’mores Sandwich Cookies for a campfire treat in cookie form.
• Lemon Truffles Recipe if you’re in the mood for bright, citrusy indulgence.
• Classic French Butter Cookies for an elegant, buttery bite.
• Salted Caramel Pecan Cookies if you’re craving sweet and salty comfort.
• Easter Cake Mix Cookie Bars for a playful and colorful dessert.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go creamy or chunky with the peanut butter? Add anything special to the dough? I’d love to hear your twist on this family classic.

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Conclusion

Jimmy Carter’s Grandmother’s Peanut Butter Cookies are more than a sweet treat—they’re a connection to a comforting, Southern kitchen tradition. With just a few simple ingredients, you can recreate the magic of a time-tested recipe that never goes out of style. Make a batch, share a story, and enjoy a cookie that carries a bit of history in every bite.

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