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Peanut Butter Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies: A Perfect Duo of Flavor and Comfort

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There are certain flavor combinations that stand the test of time, and peanut butter and chocolate is undoubtedly one of them. The nutty, creamy richness of peanut butter combined with the smooth, indulgent sweetness of chocolate creates a harmonious balance that is nothing short of magical. These Peanut Butter Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies bring this beloved pairing to life in a way that’s both simple and sensational.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour: The base of the cookie dough. All-purpose flour provides the structure and texture needed for a soft, chewy cookie.
  • ¾ cup peanut butter: You can use smooth or crunchy peanut butter depending on your preference. The peanut butter gives the cookies their signature nutty flavor.
  • ¼ tsp salt: A small amount of salt helps balance the sweetness of the cookies and enhances the flavor of the peanut butter.
  • ¼ tsp baking powder: This helps the cookies rise slightly, giving them a soft and light texture.
  • 1 large egg: The egg binds the dough together and helps with the structure of the cookies.
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar (packed): Brown sugar adds moisture and a touch of caramel flavor to the cookies.
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar: White sugar adds sweetness and helps the cookies crisp up slightly on the edges.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract: Vanilla extract adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the cookie dough.
  • 1 Tbsp water (optional): If the dough feels too dry or crumbly, adding a tablespoon of water will help bring it together and make it easier to work with.

For the Filling:

  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Semi-sweet chocolate is perfect for balancing the peanut butter, offering a rich yet not too sweet flavor.
  • ¼ cup peanut butter: More peanut butter to create the perfect creamy filling for the cookies.

For the Topping:

 

  • ¼ cup finely chopped peanuts: These peanuts add a crunchy texture and an extra hit of peanut flavor, making each bite even more satisfying.

Instructions

  1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet
    Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the right temperature when it’s time to bake the cookies. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This step prevents the cookies from sticking to the pan and helps them bake evenly.
  2. Mix the Wet Ingredients for the Cookie Dough
    In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or whisk to beat the ingredients together until smooth and well combined. The mixture will be thick, creamy, and a little sticky—this is exactly what you want.
  3. Add the Dry Ingredients
    Next, add the flour, salt, and baking powder to the wet mixture. Stir everything together until a dough forms. If the dough seems too dry and crumbly, you can add the optional tablespoon of water to help bring it together. The dough should be soft but not sticky, easy to scoop and shape into balls.
  4. Shape the Cookies
    Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough into evenly sized balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This gives them room to spread slightly as they bake. Use your thumb or the back of a teaspoon to press a small indent into the center of each dough ball, creating a well for the filling.
  5. Bake the Cookies
    Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden. The cookies will still be soft in the center but will firm up as they cool. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
  6. Prepare the Chocolate-Peanut Butter Filling
    While the cookies are cooling, melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter together. You can do this in a microwave-safe bowl by heating the mixture in 30-second intervals at 50% power, stirring well between each interval until the chocolate is smooth. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate and peanut butter over a double boiler on the stovetop.
  7. Fill the Thumbprints
    Once the cookies have cooled slightly, spoon 1-2 teaspoons of the melted chocolate-peanut butter mixture into the well of each cookie. Be generous with the filling, but don’t overfill, as it may spill over the edges.
  8. Add the Topping
    Before the filling sets, sprinkle finely chopped peanuts over the chocolate-peanut butter filling to add a satisfying crunch. This topping not only enhances the texture but also boosts the peanut flavor.
  9. Let the Filling Set
    Allow the chocolate-peanut butter filling to set before serving. This will take about 10-15 minutes at room temperature, or you can speed up the process by refrigerating the cookies for a few minutes.

Notes

  • Serve with a Glass of Milk: Peanut butter and chocolate cookies are the perfect companion to a tall glass of milk. The milk balances the richness of the cookies and adds to the comforting feeling of the treat.
  • Use Dark Chocolate: If you prefer a more intense chocolate flavor, swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips. This adds a deeper, slightly bitter contrast to the sweetness of the peanut butter.
  • Make Them Gluten-Free: You can easily make these cookies gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure the flour blend contains xanthan gum or another binding agent to maintain the texture of the cookies.

Find it online: https://paularecipes.com/peanut-butter-chocolate-thumbprint-cookies-a-perfect-duo-of-flavor-and-comfort/