It is my go-to for Peanut Butter cookies and it is a hit with kids and adults! I often make this on rainy days with the kids and double up the recipe and bring some to my husband's office staff - luckily no one at his Real Estate Brokerage has a peanut allergy!
My kids also love this recipe because they can help! I know those of you reading this might be shocked to hear that I bake with my kids but they love it and I give them tasks that they can handle and experience success. They love to learn about the different ingredients, follow the order of the recipe and even get their hands dirty! See below how I get my kids involved. It's a lot of fun having them in the kitchen just be sure to always be supervising...
I don't know exactly where this recipe came from but it has moved around with me and has been passed along to friends and family....
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup of flour
3/4 tsp of baking soda
1/2 tsp of baking powder
14 tsp of salt
1/2 cup of butter, soft or melted (I use the microwave)
1 cup of peanut butter (I use all natural because of the lower sugar content and you get a 'truer' peanut butter flavour - you can use smooth or crunchy it's up to you!)
3/4 cup of sugar PLUS more for rolling your cookies - to be explained
12 cup of firmly packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tbsp of milk
1 tsp of vanilla
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
2. Line (with parchment) or grease 2 baking sheets
3. In one mixing bowl (I use a larger mixing bowl) stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside for now.
4. If you have a stand mixer use the mixer bowl and paddle attachment but I don't so I use a medium size bowl and a wooden spoon or silicone spatula - mix the butter (which I melt in the microwave) and the peanut butter until smooth and creamy, then add your sugars and mix until combined. Next add the egg, milk and vanilla. Mix again until smooth.
5. Once the peanut butter mixture is well mixed, slowly add it to the flour mixture and stir together until the flour is no longer visible (now if you want to add chocolate chips - this is when I would add them and then mix again)
6. In a small and shallow bowl, put a few table spoons of sugar for rolling your cookies. (This step isn't necessary but it does add a little something to the cookie). I use a table spoon to scoop out the cookie dough and then roll into smooth balls. Once the dough is in balls, roll them in the sugar - this is the part my kids love!
7. Next place them on the baking sheet, allowing some room for the cookies to spread out. I also push a small indent with a fork on my peanut butter cookies - this is a classic touch but again not necessary, it was originally used to flatten out the cookies but with this recipe it isn't needed but for a lot of people it's an 'identifier' of a Peanut Butter Cookie.
8. Bake for about 10-12 minutes (mine were perfect at 11 minutes). Don't over bake - they will be tough! If the center of the cookies look slightly under done, it's OK - they aren't and they will firm up, let them rest and cool.
How I get my kids involved:
1. I measure out ingredients and I get them to pour! Their favourite ingredients to help with are vanilla, sugar and eggs.
2. Explain to them what you are doing. Tell them step by step. They will listen and find it very interesting plus they are learning how cookies are made.
3. List the ingredients and play 'memory'. When you need an ingredient ask them - 'which one is the sugar?' They will love playing with you and helping you.
4. Have them roll the cookies with you. Make sure they wash their hands - or else they can't handle the food - a perfect 'teachable moment' about germs and food safety. You scoop out the dough and demonstrate how to roll it into balls. They will love it! Watch them closely as they then roll the balls in the sugar.
5. Have them count the cookie balls, ask them "How many cookies are we making?'
6. Let them be the taste testers - once they are baked (and cooled) let them be the official taste testers and get their feedback!
