Crispy Peanut Butter Cookies

If one treat can instantly transport us to the comforting embrace of childhood, it’s the classic crunchy peanut butter cookie. With its perfect balance of sweetness and crunch, this cookie has been a beloved staple in kitchens worldwide. But there’s much more to this delightful snack than meets the eye. Let’s explore some fun facts, delve into its history, and discover how to make these cookies even healthier with a few simple tweaks.

A Bite of History 🥜🍪🥜

Peanut butter cookies trace their origins back to the early 1900s. The first recorded recipe for peanut butter cookies appeared in a 1916 edition of the “Kansas City Journal,” but it wasn’t until the 1930s that they gained widespread popularity. This rise in popularity can be attributed to the efforts of George Washington Carver, an American agricultural scientist who promoted peanuts as a versatile crop. Carver published a bulletin titled “How to Grow the Peanut and 105 Ways of Preparing it for Human Consumption,” which included three recipes for peanut butter cookies. His work was instrumental in making peanut butter a household staple.

Fun Facts About Peanut Butter🥜🧈

1. Peanut Butter is Not a Nut Butter: Despite its name, peanut butter is made from legumes. Unlike tree nuts such as almonds or walnuts, peanuts grow underground.
2. Nutritional Misconceptions: Peanuts are often hailed for their health benefits but are not as nutritionally dense as actual nuts. Compared to many other nuts, they contain more calories and fat, and their protein is less complete.
3. The Iconic Criss-Cross Pattern: The signature criss-cross pattern on peanut butter cookies was first introduced in a 1936 Pillsbury cookbook. It’s believed this pattern helped the cookies bake evenly and distinguished them from other cookies.

Healthier Alternatives and Add-ins👩🏼‍⚕️

While traditional peanut butter cookies are delicious, there are plenty of ways to make them healthier:

1. Almond Butter: Almond butter can be a fantastic alternative to peanut butter. It’s richer in vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium, and has a better fatty acid profile.
2. Cashew Butter: For a creamier texture, try cashew butter. It’s lower in fat and calories than peanut butter and contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
3. Sunflower Seed Butter: Sunflower seed butter is an excellent choice for those with nut allergies (However, it’s best to speak with an allergist before eating sunflower seeds, especially if you have a peanut allergy). It’s packed with Vitamin E and folate.

Boosting Nutritional Value with Seeds😏

Adding seeds to your cookie dough can further elevate the nutritional benefits:

1. Chia Seeds: These tiny seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. They add a slight crunch and a nutritional punch.
2. Hemp Seeds: Rich in protein, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and several essential vitamins and minerals, hemp seeds are a great addition to your cookie dough.
3. Flaxseeds: Ground flaxseeds can replace eggs in vegan recipes and add fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and lignans, which have antioxidant properties.

In this post, you will find a couple of recipes.

Here is the Alternative Crunchy Nut Butter Cookies with Seeds

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond butter (or any nut/seed butter of your choice)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (or coconut sugar for a healthier option)
• 1 large egg (or a flaxseed egg substitute)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup mix of chia, hemp, and flaxseeds (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine the almond butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Mix until smooth.
3. Stir in the seeds if using.
4. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
5. Flatten each cookie with a fork, creating a criss-cross pattern.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
7. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

These crunchy cookies offer the nostalgic taste you love with a healthy twist. By swapping peanut butter for a more nutritious nut butter and adding seeds, you can enjoy a delicious and beneficial treat for your health. So indulge guilt-free, and share the recipe with friends and family.

Down below, you will find the Classic Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe!

Happy baking!👩🏻‍🍳😋

Crunchy Peanut Butter Cookies

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes Cooking Time: 14 minutes 14 minutes

Nutrition facts: better not to know! calories a looot! fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

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Ingredients

• 1 cup (230 g) softened butter
• 1 cup (230g) peanut butter (preferably crunchy)
• 1 cup (220 g) brown sugar (you can substitute regular sugar)
• 2,5 cups (340 g) flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp of baking powder

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F (190 C)
2. Mix butter and peanut butter with sugar in a bowl, beat eggs there.
3. In another bowl, sift flour with baking powder and salt.
4. Pour the flour into the buttery mixture, gently and thoroughly mix until you get a homogeneous soft (analogy for parents - like play dough😄) dough.
5. Form 1 bigger or 2-3 smaller rolls, wrap with cling film, and refrigerate for at least an hour (or overnight)
6. Remove the dough, unwind it, and cut it into 1-1.5 cm thick circles with a flat, dry, sharp knife.
7. Spread on a baking sheet with a parchment at a distance from each other. It can be decorated with halves of peanuts or crushed. 
8. Place in a preheated oven for 14 minutes (until golden brown). Remove and let it cool down (preferably on a wire rack) for 10-15 minutes.
9. Crunch for joy! 😋

Notes

You can make a lattice pattern with a fork. As your fantasy allows😜