Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
When I began planning our menu for this situation I knew peanut butter cookies were perfect for our plans. This treat is high in protein and great for kids. With a few tweaks, you can reduce the sugar and add in oats for a healthy nutrition boost.
This is the perfect addition to snacks or part of a grab and go breakfast for the kids. In fact, tomorrow the kids will be having these cookies and some of the eggs they dyed today.
We never do anything small so I quadrupled this recipe for our family and froze half in two sections for use later. This is a great trick for building a stockpile of food in your freezer. Something I had been lax on after the accident.
What you need to make peanut butter oatmeal cookies
:: 1 1/4 cup peanut butter
:: 1/4 cup unsalted butter
:: 2 eggs
:: 1 1/4 cup sugar
:: 1 teaspoon baking powder
:: 1 teaspoon baking soda
:: 1/2 teaspoon salt
:: 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
:: 1 1/4 cup rolled oats
How to make peanut butter oatmeal cookies
:: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
:: Cream butter, sugar, and peanut butter together.
:: Beat in eggs.
:: In a separate container sift and blend flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
:: Mix dry ingredients into the creamed butter and sugar until well blended.
:: Fold in oats.
:: Knead until oats and flour are well well blended and smooth.
:: Roll dough into 1 inch balls. This makes roughly 2 dozen cookies
:: Flatten with a fork to make the classic crisscross pattern.
:: Bake for about 10 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
Why reduce the sugar in your baking?
Sometimes taking cues from our ancestors and how they survived the great depression. Sugar is one of the hard to find foods right now so if you have some stocked up it is worth making it stretch a bit. These cookies still have plenty of flavor without making children bounce off the walls. If you want a sweeter cookie add another 1/2 cup of regular or brown sugar.
How to make these your own
Chocolate Chips: Classic and always a hit, both semi-sweet and dark chocolate chips work well with peanut butter and oats.
Chopped Nuts: Walnuts, pecans, or almonds can add a nice crunch and extra nutty flavor.
Dried Fruits: Chopped dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, or apricots can provide a burst of sweetness and a chewy texture.
Toffee Bits: These add a rich, buttery sweetness and a lovely toffee flavor to the cookies.
Coconut Flakes: Toasted coconut can add a tropical twist and a nice chewiness to the cookies.
M&Ms or Smarties: These colorful candies not only add a pop of color but also a burst of chocolate goodness.
Pretzel Pieces: For a sweet and salty combination, add some crushed pretzel pieces to the dough.
Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas): These can add a unique crunch and a mild, nutty flavor.
Spices: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a touch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
Peanut Butter Chips: For an extra peanut buttery flavor, consider adding peanut butter chips along with the regular chocolate chips.
Jam or Jelly: Spoonfuls of your favorite jam or jelly can create a delightful fruity surprise in the center of each cookie. I love to use my summertime strawberry jam.
Granola: Use a crunchy granola to add extra texture and flavor. Opt for varieties with nuts and dried fruits for even more complexity.
Bacon Bits: For an unexpected twist, add some crispy bacon bits for a salty, savory element.
What kind of peanut butter makes the best peanut butter cookies?
Everyone has a favorite choice when it comes to peanut butter. Many find crunchy adds the most flavor to peanut butter cookies. You can even add ground-up peanuts to your peanut butter to add even more flavor. Don’t be afraid to try your hand at making your own peanut butter.