Step 1

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper, set aside.

Step 2

Cream butter and brown sugar together until smooth. Beat in the egg, vanilla and peanut butter until completely combined. Pour in flour and baking soda and mix until just incorporated, without over-mixing.

Step 3

Scoop out 1-2 tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. If rolling in sugar, do that now. Place about 1" apart on prepared baking sheet (they don't spread much).

Step 4

Optional: Before baking, use the tongs of your fork to press down in both directions making a criss-cross pattern.

Step 5

Bake cookies for 7-8 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.