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BakingJames’s home kitchenJune 22, 2009

Peanut Butter Cookies with Freshly Ground Peanuts

These are exceptionally delicious peanut butter cookies. Based on a recipe from Cook's Illustrated (I added a little maple syrup to mine) these cookies are slightly crisp on the edge and chewy in the center, and full of flavor with addition of freshly groun…

Peanut butter cookies1

What you'll need

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (12.5 ounces)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon table salt
  • 1/2 pound butter (2 sticks), room temperature
  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar (7 ounces)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (7ounces)
  • 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 cup extra-crunchy peanut butter, preferably Jif
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup roasted salted peanuts, ground in food processor to resemble bread crumbs, about 14 pulses (about 1 cup, packed)

The method

Directions

  1. 01

    Adjust oven rack to low center position; heat oven to 350 degrees. Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl.

  2. 02

    In bowl of electric mixer or by hand, beat butter until creamy. Add sugars; beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes with electric mixer, stopping to scrape down bowl as necessary. Beat in peanut butter and maple syrup until fully incorporated, then eggs, one at a time, then vanilla. Gently stir dry ingredients into peanut butter mixture. Add ground peanuts; stir gently until just incorporated.

  3. 03

    Working with 2 tablespoons dough at a time, roll into large balls, then roll in granulated sugar, and place them 2 inches apart on a parchment-covered cookie sheet. Press each dough ball with back of dinner fork dipped in cold water to make crisscross design. Bake until cookies are puffed and slightly brown along edges, but not top, 10 to 12 minutes (they will not look fully baked). Cool cookies on cookie sheet until set, about 4 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Cookies will keep, refrigerated in an airtight container, up to 7 days.

    Peanut butter cookie batter
    Peanut butter cookie nuts
    Peanut butter cookie press

From James's kitchen to yours.