Step 1

Preheat oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Spray a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment or Silpat mats.

Step 2

In a large bowl, cream the butter (1/2 cup), granulated sugar (1/2 cup), and brown sugar (1/2 cup) using a hand-held electric mixer, until well mixed.

Step 3

Add egg (and vanilla (2 teaspoons) and continue to beat until well mixed.

Step 4

Add peanut butter (1 cup) and mix until well mixed.

Step 5

Stir in flour (1 cup), salt (1/4 teaspoon), and baking soda (1/2 teaspoon) until well combined.

Step 6

Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls then roll in extra sugar. Place 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets; flatten balls in a criss-cross pattern with fork dipped in sugar.

Step 7

Bake 12 minutes for chewy cookies or 15 minutes for crispy cookies or until edges are lightly brown and the cookies look dry on the top. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.