Last night my darling daughter Elena came downstairs a while after bedtime to deliver me a note. This particular note made my day. It is one of those *awesome* moments where you are so glad you are a mom. I know I don't have very many of those after 7:00 pm when I am hoping all my kids are snoring in their beds, but I did have one this time. Elena wrote me this...
"Dolfin? Mom I can't go to bed. I em not tird. I can't slep. I love you. Love Elena. No slep."
There were several "hearts for love" as Elena calls them too. I about laughed out loud when she gave it to me. OK baby girl. I hear ya. Me neither. Also, what's up with the Dolfin??? Ha!
Elena suggested that we should make some cookies. Peanut Butter. Her favorite! Who could say no to that? It sounds like we need to change to the 8:00 (or later) summer bedtime around these parts.
We set out to the chicken coop to find some eggs for the cookies. Oh these fresh eggs are so great for baking! Especially if you have them at room temperature. While we were out, we cut come fragrant lilac and a few other blooming sprigs to brighten the kitchen!
Now we are ready to get baking! Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
I have to admit, I have taken to the chunky peanut butter these days. I don't think I have had this in over 15 years until recently, and boy is it good! So why not try it in my good old PB cookies? Good choice I tell ya!
First we mix cream together the peanut butter, softened butter, granulated sugar and light brown sugar. I always use my electric mixer to do cookies.
Next add the eggs and vanilla. Mix to combine them.
Now add salt,
Baking soda,
And last but not least the flour! Don't I have the cutest baking assistant?
You should have some cookie dough resembling something delicious like this! Not be good, and try not to eat the ENTIRE batch while it's still dough. :)
Because I was feeling extremely naughty last night, I whipped up some rich chocolate frosting. Just because I "needed to" don't judge me. You know what Elena said to me when I started making this? "Oh no!! I don't like chocolate, I only like Twix." What on earth is wrong with my child? She must not be mine, because I don't think I could live without chocolate. I tell her, "Honey, Twix is made with chocolate..." She doesn't care. Or believe me. What a crazy person.
OK. Back to making REAL chocolate frosting!!!
This whips up really quick by the way. Don't be alarmed by the fact that I am cooking it in a pot first. It is no biggie! So melt a stick of butter. Yes. A whole dang stick, because this is a TREAT not a vegetable. :)
Pour in 1 cup of the best semi-sweet chocolate you can find. I use 58% Noel Chocolate. It's mega yummy. And rich. And yummy. Did I say that already? Then add vanilla. Stir chocolate, butter and vanilla together until chocolate is melted. Don't overheat.
As soon as the chocolate is melted pour in 1 cup powdered sugar in and stir until combine.
Next transfer gooey chocolaty mixture into a bowl.
Add one more cup powdered sugar, salt, nutella and whole milk. Use an electric beater to mix well.
The consistency should be thick and rich, but not quite like your average buttercream. It is much more chocolaty and smooth.
Oh my gosh this was good. I died. Wait. I guess I didn't, but I could have it was so yummy!
Find a handy dandy ball roller, and place your dough balls on a lined baking sheet.
Pop those morsels of joy into your hot oven so they can get even more yummy. This yummy making process should take 8 minutes. I think you can wait that long. :)
Boom baby! Chewy, hot, peanut butter cookies ready to be savored, and slathered in chocolate (if I'm eating them) or not. It's up to you! They are equally good both ways. Note: I love the crunchy peanut butter in this recipe!! It was so good. Gave it a little crunch, but not a ton.
Let your cookies sit for 2 minutes before removing them to a cooling rack.
Now they are ready to eat! Peanut, peanut butter! And chocolate!!
This is the "Ooh! These are really good!" face. I actually caught it! Ha!
This recipe makes 4 dozen cookies. I only usually bake two dozen, then freeze the rest so that I only binge on 2 dozen cookies instead of 4. I'm a smart cookie! Wrap your remaining dough in parchment paper then roll up in tin foil, and you have a perfectly good second batch of cookies to bake up when you need them! Hooray!
There you have it. Chocolaty, peanut buttery cookies sent from heaven. I give you permission to eat these in bed like I did. :)
Here is the handy little recipe! Enjoy!
CLICK ON RECIPE TO VIEW AN ENLARGED PRINTABLE PDF
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