December, the month of all things holiday, kicks off tomorrow, so cookies seemed very fitting for today. If there’s one thing that screams December, it’s cookies. So excited to share that I have at least one more cookie recipe coming your way this month. It’s going to be a good month! Today it’s all about these peanut butter cookies, which I of course, LOVE. Some may say that I share too many peanut butter and chocolate filled recipes. But hey, we all have our favorites. Obviously peanut butter and chocolate are two of mine. To me, there’s everything to love about the combo, and these cute little cookies are my newest addition. This recipe is one I dreamed up on a snowy hike a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve been dying to share them ever since.
With everything being so incredibly busy this time of year, I wanted to share a cookie recipe that was no fuss and equally great for both serving at a holiday party, or gifting to your best friends. I know sugar cookies are often the go-to this time of year. But personally, I’m not fan of a stale cookie that’s hard and iced with flavorless icing. Ok, I know they’re not all like that. They might be cute, but they don’t usually taste all that great. If I’m going to eat a cookie, it better be good. You know? Plus, growing up with a chocoholic of a mother, it’s been ingrained in me to naturally prefer a chocolate cookie over a sugar cookie. Not sure that will ever change. PS. I have a sugar cookie recipe coming that tastes delicious…and is cute. Keep your eyes peeled.
If you’ve never made a slice n’ bake cookie, prepare to fall in love with them. There’s nothing easier than a slice n’ bake cookies…and they always turn out delicious. My favorite are these slice n’ bake vanilla sugar cookies with whipped buttercream. These are SO GOOD, not at all like the typical sugar cookie described above. If you have yet to make them, I highly recommend testing them out this December. Everyone loves them. Actually, I took the concept of those sugar cookies and applied it to these peanut butter cookies.
First, make the dough. I wanted the cookie to be buttery + peanut buttery, so I used a simple butter cookie recipe and added a good amount of peanut butter. There are no eggs or leavening agents in these cookies, which makes them almost fool-proof. The key is shaping the dough into a rectangle log. I did this easily by using my counter to create flat, even edges all the way around the dough. My other trick is to stuff the dough inside an empty tin foil box. Yep, the same box that you get your tin foil from. This works really well, and gives you a uniformly shaped rectangle dough. Alternately, you can make a circular log, but I really wanted my cookies to resemble little gift boxes. Which in reality they don’t….but they’re still cute! Once you have the dough shaped, it’s time to chill. If you’re in a hurry, throw the dough in the freezer for a bit. If you have time, let the dough chill in the fridge for a couple of hours. You can even freeze the dough, up to a few months, if you want to make the dough in advance. That’s the cool thing about slice n’ bake cookies. The idea is that you can grab the dough from the fridge or freezer, and at a moment’s notice, slice n’ bake. Perfect for when last-minute house guests show up and you’re looking for something sweet to serve.
Once the cookies are baked, I finished them with a layer of creamy peanut butter and a coating of chocolate. Kind of like a Reese’s, but with a cookie bottom. Yes, these are just as delicious as you are imagining. Buttery, peanutty, sweet, chocolatey, and touched with just the right amount of salt. There’s simply nothing not to love. Suggestion? Bake these up this weekend to enjoy while doing all your Christmassy things. BUT, double the recipe! Then store half the dough in the freezer. Great for when you need a good cookie fix. Trust me, you’ll be so happy you have that dough just chilling and waiting to be baked. Everyone knows it’s best to have a good cookie dough chilling in the freezer…especially during the holiday season.
If you make these slice n’ bake cookies, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
