In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir these dry ingredients together until they are well mixed.

In another bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with the light or dark brown sugar and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and pale.

Add the egg, creamy peanut butter, and pure vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat everything together until it is well combined and creamy.

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest for about 15 minutes.

Preheat your oven and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion out dough, rolling each ball in granulated sugar.

Place the rolled cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between them.

Bake the cookies until they are lightly golden around the edges yet still soft in the center.

After removing the cookies from the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Once cooled, enjoy the cookies fresh or store them for later enjoyment.