Formed Cookies Super-Nutty Peanut Butter Cookies

posted by mamaSue 04-30-100 4:55 AM

* Exported from MasterCook *
Super-Nutty Peanut Butter Cookies
Recipe By :Victoria Abbott Ricardi, writer for Cook's Illustrated
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Cookies/Bars
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 pound butter
1 cup dark brown sugar -- packed
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup peanut butter, extra chunky -- preferably Jif
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup peanuts, roasted salted -- *see Note

* Note: grind peanuts in food processor to resemble bread crumbs, about 14 pulses (about 1 cup, packed)

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

In a 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 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.

Working with 2 tablespoons dough at a time, roll into large balls, placing 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 criss-cross design.

Bake until cookies are puffed and slightly brown along edges, but not top, 10 to 12 minutes (they will not look fully baked). Cook 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.

CI Comments: Bringing the butter, peanut butter, and eggs to room temperature makes it easier to blend the ingredients.

Be sure to grind the peanuts, since while, and even chopped peanuts tend to slip out of the dough.

If using unsalted butter, increase salt to 1 teaspoon.

Keep finished cookies refrigerated in airtight container. To restore just-baked chewiness, wrap a cookie in a sheet of paper towel and microwave for approximately 25 seconds. Cook before serving.

Why Jif brand over other brands?.....Dough quite thick with a slightly grainy texture. Cookies browned the best and had a rich, toasted peanut flavor. Only peanut butter without cottonseed oil. Perhaps molasses contributed to browning and richness.

Source: "March/April 1998"

Yield: "3 dozen"

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