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Reg and I have a tough time. I mean… really tough. I needed a fool-proof easy cookie that we could indulge in for comfort without killing ourselves with cholesterol. I of course turned to Janet and Greta Podleski‘s cookbook The Looneyspoons Collection for inspiration and discovered a page for peanut butter cookies that said, “Cookies for Rookies.”
Perfect! We had gotten news that had scrambled my brain. My foodie knowledge was somewhere obsessing about the news I was still processing. I needed a recipe that required as little thought as possible, with few caloric consequences.
The Recipe
They said to use a medium bowl but I recommend using a pretty large one to beat together 3/4 cup packed brown sugar, 1/3 cup room temperature butter, 1/3 cup light peanut butter and 1 egg. Notice anything missing?
I used my hand mixer to beat together until well blended.
In another bowl I combined 1 1/4 cup flour, 1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats (not instant), 1/2 tsp of baking soda and 1/2 tsp of salt. I mixed the dry into the wet ingredients.
That did not look right! I know it is totally dry here in the winter but what happened?
I checked the recipe. Crap! I forgot to add the egg!
So I added the egg after adding 1/3 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and hoped for the best.
I used an ice cream scoop to divvy out the dough and rolled into 1 1/2″ balls. So far so good!
I placed them on parchment-lined baking sheets two inches or so apart. I dipped a fork into flour and flattened the cookies to 1/4″ thickness.
I baked them in a preheated 350F oven for 10 minutes.
The Results?
Well considering I totally screwed up… Not bad! They were a little brittle as a result of adding the egg at the end but they were still yummy. A little dry for my taste but again, that might have been my fault.
When Reg came home he raided the cookie jar. A few moments later I asked him if he liked them and he replied, “I’ve already had four!”
Everyone has a bad day in the kitchen and mistakes happen. It is so comforting to know that even though I screwed up a “no sweat and no threat, even for the confirmed kitchen klutz” cookie they still were pretty damn awesome. Imagine what they would taste like made properly?!
I love The Looneyspoons Collection! I must try that recipe!
Sometimes you need Comfort Food and it doesn’t matter what it tastes like. Hope it helps you adjust to your tough news and keep walking on. Sometimes that’s all we can do, eh?
They look awesome, have these on my must make list. Probably on March break since the kids can’t bring any cookies containing peanut products to school. Peanut butter and chocolate are the ultimate comfort combination, hope they worked for you and Reg and hope all is well.
Me too Cathy! So far everything has been a winner.
Debra, yes, that is true. For Reg, it’s chocolate so the chips were in there. Thank you so much Debra, we’re trying. It’s been hard but I just keep walking. 🙂
Oh it’s so true Ava, peanut butter is considered the plague at schools so definitely make this one when the kids are home, they’ll love it. It makes a lot too, I would probably make 1/2 the recipe next time but for a larger family, it’s perfect.
Those do look great! I’m probably going to embarrass myself and ask a dumb question, about cooling racks. I’ve never used one in my life, but have been thinking about getting some. Do they make a better cookie somehow?
No such thing as a dumb question my friend! Cooling racks do help. Cookies can keep on cooking if they remain on a baking sheet or are insulated on a plate. I use a cooling rack when they come out perfectly baked and I want to keep them just as-is. Hope that helps!
I’ve made these great cookies several times and they disappear fast. I just might be Janet & Greta’s biggest fan. Our Looneyspoons Collection book has barely touched the bookshelf since I bought it in November. We use it nearly every day. Love those girls!!