Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
Mix the ingredients:
In a mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and salt (if using). Mix until smooth and well combined.
Form the cookies:
Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Create the signature pattern:
Using a fork, gently press down on each dough ball to create a crisscross pattern.
Bake the cookies:
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look slightly golden. Avoid overbaking, as the cookies will firm up as they cool.
Cool and serve:
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
