Description
Irresistible peanutty valentine cookies blend rich chocolate with creamy peanut butter for a romantic dessert. Delicate heart shapes and smooth ganache create a sweet expression of love perfect for sharing with someone special.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (113 grams)
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter (128 grams)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed (100 grams)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (180 grams)
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 24 chocolate heart candies (like Dove, Hershey’s, or Reese’s hearts)
- Red, pink, or heart-shaped sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring an even baking surface for the cookies.
- Mixing Base: Blend butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth, creamy foundation.
- Wet Ingredient Integration: Gently fold in the egg and vanilla extract, stirring until completely incorporated and maintaining the airy texture of the mixture.
- Dry Ingredient Combination: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, ensuring uniform distribution of the dry components.
- Dough Formation: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing carefully to create a cohesive dough without overmixing, which could result in tough cookies.
- Shaping and Positioning: Roll the dough into consistent-sized balls and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving adequate space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking.
- Baking and Cooling: Bake in the preheated oven until the cookie edges turn a golden brown, then remove and let them rest on the baking sheet for a few moments before transferring to a cooling rack to set completely.
Notes
- Prevent Tough Cookies: Avoid overmixing the dough to maintain a tender, soft texture that melts in your mouth.
- Temperature Precision: Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother mixing and more consistent cookie spread.
- Uniform Sizing: Roll dough balls equally to ensure even baking and consistent cookie shape and texture.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and add 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum for better cookie structure.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2.5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg