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Friday, February 18, 2011

Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Last weekend we celebrated Chris' birthday.  One request that he had was that I make cookies.  Ok, ok.. I wanted to make cookies so I said to him:  "Chris, would you like me to make cookies for you?"  Of course, Chris looks at me and says, "well yea, that would be nice, but you don't have to".  But see, what he didn't understand was that I really HAD to.  You know how it is... the urge to cook or bake hits you and you must go into the kitchen and create or you will never be able to sit still?  Ok, that's what I was feeling, so I did what I had to do to make sure I didn't freak out or anything! That would be so unfair to Chris :)

Once I got him to agree to my cookie plan, I had to figure out what kind he wanted....er, I mean I had to figure out what ingredients I had so I could decide what kind of cookie to make.  I had chocolate chips...ok, chocolate chip cookies.  Ok, do you want them to be peanuty and crisp or soft and chewy?  And, in his wonderful Chris way he said "Can't you make something peanuty AND soft and chewy?"

(Did he just ask me to do it both ways?  Good gravy, what does he think I am, some kind of baking goddess or something?  Geez...)

Of course my answer to the birthday boy was "well of course I can... you just wait here"  and off I went to the kitchen to try and figure out how I was going to make that work!!  And what do you know... it came to me just as I was grabbing the ingredients for the basic chocolate chip cookie - Why not add peanut butter to them and then he can have his peanuty soft and chewy cookies!!!  GOOD GRAVY I AM A BAKING GODDESS!!!  Oh, wait..... maybe that's going just a tad bit too far, but still... I had an idea...it came together, what more can I ask for?  These cookies have just a subtle peanut butter flavor to them, so if you are looking for something more, please feel free to add more peanut butter to the batter.


Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Printable Recipe 
Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter (I probably actually used about 5 tablespoons)
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt (I used coarse kosher salt)
1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups (about 12oz) milk chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda.  In the bowl of a standing mixer (fitted with paddle attachment) add the peanut butter, butter and both sugars.  Mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy; about 2 minutes.  Reduce speed to low and add salt, vanilla, and eggs; mix until well blended (remember to scrape down the sides as you go), about 1 minute.  Slowly add the flour mixture a little at a time until well combined.  Turn mixer off and remove bowl.  Stir in the chocolate chips by hand.

Shape dough into balls about the size of walnuts and place on baking sheets lined with parchment or a Silpat, spacing 2 inches apart.  Bake cookies, rotating the sheets halfway through, until edges turn golden but centers are still soft; about 10-12 minutes.  Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes.  Move to a wire rack; let cool completely.  Cookies can be stored between layers of parchment in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.  Enjoy!


One Year Ago:  Lemon Pepper Tilapia with Creamy Dijon Sauce

21 comments:

Unknown said...

Jenn, you are a Grilling and Baking Goddess indeed. I love Chris' response that he wanted everything you offered in one (peanuty, soft and chewy). The cookies look absolutely delicious. I want them with milk (and that strange because I don't drink milk).
Have a lovely weekend.

StephenC said...

I could easily pass by a plate of cookies until you tell me there's peanut butter in there. STAND BACK!

Andrea the Kitchen Witch said...

I made these this past weekend too!! Soft & chewy cookies are the only way to go :) Good job baking goddess Jenn!

Unknown said...

I love how we can get them to agree to OUR plans! The peanut butter in these make them awesome!!! Nice work - you both have excellent taste!

Yenta Mary said...

You gorgeous baking goddess, you!!! Gonna do some baking myself this weekend, and wouldn't these just be perfect??? :)

Pam said...

This is my idea of the perfect cookie!

Roxan said...

Mmm, Jenn, these cookies look so good! I can totally tell from the picture that it's soft and chewy. I want to go home and make some right now.

Jean | Delightful Repast said...

Not a chocolate fan myself, but I've made a lot of chocolate stuff for other people! A little peanut butter can't hurt *any* recipe. Love the stuff! Isn't experimenting fun?

Mary Bergfeld said...

These are pretty close to being the worlds best cookie. I love the way these look and sound. Have a great weekend. Blessings...Mary

Lisa said...

Mmm, those really do look thick and chewy and soft, the ideal cookie. I have a sweet treat linky party on my blog called Sweets for a Saturday and I'd like to invite you to stop by this weekend and link your cookies up. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com

Cranberry Morning said...

Those sound amazing. I'll take two of those and two of Mary's. AND, I plan on baking chocolate chip/blueberry scones this weekend. I'm going for a VERY healthful weekend! LOL

kita said...

You had me at soft and chewy, chocolate and peanut butter sealed the deal! These look so yummy!

Thanks for stopping by Chef Dennis' site today and commenting! It was super nice to be featured as a guest poster and read everyone's comments:D

annies home said...

love soft and chewy cookies and these would please both me the pb lover and my hubby the chocolate lover

Esther Asbury said...

Making my mouth water just looking at them --- I love soft and chewy cookies! Saving this recipe in my file for future use!

Allison @ Alli 'n Son said...

These cookies look just like the kind you would buy in a bakery. Only I bet they taste even better.

I'd like to invite you to share this recipe on Sweet Tooth Friday. The linky is open all week. http://alli-n-son.com/2011/02/17/chocolate-chip-toffee-bars/

Goddess of Baking said...

All i have to say is YUMM!!

Chris said...

Happy belated Bday to Chris.

Meg Luby said...

these look great! love it. glad to have found your blog!
-meg
@ http://www.clutzycooking.blogspot.com
@ http://www.myscribblednotebook.blogspot.com

Desi said...

Girl you ARE a baking goddess :) and so sweet to bake for Chris! PJ's birthday is in a couple days and I didn't plan on baking for him.... now I'm thinking maybe I should... ;) Thanks for the great idea!

Irene said...

I can't believe it took me so long to find this perfect recipe. My 10 year old and I made these last week and now have to make another batch. Everyone at her school and my work love them. Pefect combo of chocolate and peanut butter. (I added extra PB...yum)Looking forward to trying other things!

Unknown said...

Well, thank you so much, Irene! I am flattered! And of course, sorry that you had to wait 10 years to find it!! lol Thanks for visiting!