April 24, 2018

Peanut butter chocolate chunk cookies

Last Friday, I was in the kitchen making cookies again.  Nothing out of the ordinary there.  If I needed a reason, I'd say it was Friday and the sun was shining and it actually looked as though spring might be here to stay.  
But we don't need any particular reason to make cookies any/all the time other than simply wanting to make life a little sweeter with a little treat.  Cookies are quick and easy to make, and ever so universally beloved.  It really is the simple things - and the little things - in life that make it special, and I am grateful for cookies.  I love baking them, eating them, and sharing them.
Just as cookie-making is a routine, this is not the first peanut butter chocolate chunk cookie I've made.  It's a good thing there are so many versions of everything, always a slightly different yet still familiar recipe, to try on our favorite themes.  And chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter, cookies in general, are some of my favorite themes.  

So last Friday, I was filling our cookie jar with the latest batch of cookies - these peanut butter chocolate chunk cookies.  I saw them recently and was just waiting for a day to make a batch because, again, favorite themes play on repeat and make us happy.  
And they did make us happy because these are some solid cookies peanut butter and chocolate cookies.  If you share some of my favorite themes then you can imagine that you really can't go wrong with this formula - soft, chewy chocolate chunk cookies full of peanut butter flavor.  A mix of dark and semisweet chocolate gives the cookies a little variety and interest.  I think they're the kind of cookies meant to come out of your home oven.  And I sure hope my oven continues to churn out cookies like these for a long, long time to come.  


Here's to the magical cookie, in all its forms!


Recipe:

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Adapted from The Sweet and Simple Kitchen

- Makes approximately 18 cookies - 

1 stick butter, softened
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup (6 oz.) chopped dark and milk chocolate (you can an equal mix; I used a bit more dark chocolate)

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and peanut butter together until combined.  Mix in the dark brown sugar and granulated sugar, beating until pale and fluffy.  Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, add egg and vanilla, and beat until incorporated.  

In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt.  On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture until just incorporated.  Stir in the chocolate chunks.  You can bake immediately or if time permits, cover the dough and let chill in the refrigerator until ready to bake.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon baking mats.  Scoop about 1 1/2 tablespoon mounds of cookie dough onto the baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart.  (It's not required but if possible, place cookie sheets into the freezer for 15 minutes to help cookie dough set, especially if baking immediately.)

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until cookies are just set.  Let cookies cool on the sheet pan for 5-10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.  


8 comments:

  1. Everyday is a perfect day to bake and enjoy some cookies :-)) Pb and chocolate are a heavenly combo.

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  2. Yeah! We love cookies too, my husband adores them. We don't need an excuse to make and enjoy cookies - and I bet your family thinks so too!

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    1. A cup of coffee and a fresh baked cookie makes such a nice dessert after any meal. It's often the simple things in life that make it the sweetest. : )

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  3. It has been SOOO dreary here this week - I need some cookies to add a little pizazz to my life! haha Or, you know, for the sun to come out. lol And I can never say no to chocolate + peanut butter!

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    1. I hear you! And everything calls for cookies, right?! haha

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  4. We love soft and chewy cookies too! Rainy days, snowing days, windy days and sunny days are all good days to enjoy cookies! Take care

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    1. Making cookies is a routine here...and soft & chewy ones are a clear favorite. But gotta love them all, and all the time! : )

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