dessert | The Wannabe Gourmet

The Ultimate Peanut Butter Cookie

1 1/2 cp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp table salt
1 cp creamy peanut butter (optionally: use chunky, or add 1/4 cup minced peanuts)
1/2 cp butter (1 stick), softened
1/2 cp firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (use pure vanilla extract if paste is unavailable)

Preheat oven to 400F.

Sift flour, salt, baking soda & baking powder to combine. In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and peanut butter until completely smooth. Add egg and vanilla bean paste.

Reduce mixer speed to lowest possible (or you WILL be wearing the dry mixture) and slowly add sifted flour mixture to the mixer. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides if necessary to ensure everything is well combined. Remove dough from mixer bowl and wrap in plastic. Allow to rest in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take a piece of dough no larger than a walnut and roll between your palms to form a ball. Place on baking sheet and using a fork, press in alternate directions to flatten and form traditional pattern. (I happened to use an antique potato masher to achieve the effect in the photo.) Bake for 8-10 minutes or until just lightly browned around the edges. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Optional addition: 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips.

Choco-Kissed Key Lime Bundt Bites
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
6 tsp softened unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp grated lime zest
1 tbsp Key Lime juice
2/3 cup buttermilk
4 oz semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Preheat oven to 350. Spray individual bundt pan cups with non-stick cooking spray. Set to the side.

In a small bowl, sift flour, baking powder and salt.

In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter until light and fluffy. Add sugar and beat until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, until incorporated, then mix in lime zest and juice. With the mixer on low, alternately add the flour and the buttermilk, being sure to begin and end with the dry ingredients.

Spoon mixture into the cups, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and turn pan upside down on a baking sheet. Rap on the counter to dislodge the mini-bundt bites. Move to a wire rack and allow to cool for 30 minutes.

In a microwave safe bowl, add chocolate morsels and heat, 20 seconds at a time (stirring after each heating cycle) until smooth. (This may also be done over a double boiler) Grasping each bundt bite by the bottom (as much fun to say as to do!) dip them top down into the melted chocolate, and twist as you raise them out. Return to the cooling rack and allow to sit for another 30 minutes. Store in an air tight container. Enjoy!

Serves: 12.

The Wannabe Gourmet

Tag Archives: dessert

The Ultimate Peanut Butter Cookie

Choco-Kissed Key Lime Bundt Bites

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