Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

• 0.25 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup dark brown sugar (packed)
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 eggs (large)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 cup dry-roasted peanuts (finely chopped)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, whisk together the 1/4 cup of melted butter and 1 cup of creamy peanut butter until smooth and well combined.

3. 3

   Add 1 cup of dark brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of honey, 2 large eggs, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the peanut butter mixture. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has begun to dissolve.

4. 4

   In a separate medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

5. 5

   Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until just combined and no streaks of flour remain.

6. 6

   Fold in 1/2 cup of finely chopped dry-roasted peanuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

7. 7

   Using a #30 portion scoop (about 2 tablespoons), scoop the dough and place the portions onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

8. 8

   Lightly press down on the top of each dough ball with your fingers to slightly flatten them. Do not use a fork to create a crosshatch pattern, as this dough is soft and will spread naturally.

9. 9

   Bake the cookies one sheet at a time until the edges are set and just beginning to brown, but the centers still look slightly soft, about 10 to 12 minutes.

10. 10

    Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

The specific ratio of 30% saturated fat (butter) to 70% unsaturated fat (peanut butter) is what creates the signature chewiness. Using dark brown sugar and honey aids in browning and enhances the chewy texture. Avoid the traditional fork crosshatch as this dough is soft enough to spread on its own.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• cookies
• peanut butter
• baking
• chewy
• kid-friendly