Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a bowl, mix the peanut butter, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and baking soda until well combined. The mixture should be thick but manageable.

Scoop tablespoons of dough and roll them into balls. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Flatten each ball with a fork, making a criss-cross pattern on top. This not only looks classic but also helps with even baking.

Bake for about 10 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned at the edges but still soft in the center.

Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps in achieving the chewy texture.

Use room temperature ingredients for better blending and texture.

Don't overbake – the cookies should look slightly underdone when removed from the oven as they will continue to cook on the sheet.

Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until ingredients are combined.

Using too much flour can make cookies less chewy. Stick to the recipe's measurements.

Serve warm with a glass of milk for the ultimate comfort snack.

For an adult twist, pair with coffee or a dark chocolate drizzle for a gourmet touch.