Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

Peanut Butter Thumbprints

The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is a classic. This cookie brings those two flavors together perfectly. The cookie itself has a wonderful outer crunch, but is also tender and melts in your mouth. The addition of a dollop of chocolate finishes the cookie just right.

While making cookies for this holiday season I came upon this recipe. I couldn’t remember the last time I had made them, so I decided to bake up a batch.

I forgot just how much I loved these cookies. I am definitely going to be making them more often.

Of course, you could also use a spoonful of jam or jelly to fill in the cookies. Peanut butter and jelly are also a classic combo. No matter what filling you use, these thumbprint cookies are going to be a big hit.

Peanut Butter Thumbprints

1 c. butter, softened

2 c. packed light brown sugar

1 1/2 c. peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

2 1/2 c. flour

1 t. baking powder

1/2 t. baking soda

1 3/4 c. finely chopped unsalted, dry roasted peanuts

Melted chocolate, about 2 cups

In mixing bowl, cream together butter, sugar and peanut butter. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour with dry ingredients and mix into butter mixture. Shape dough into 1-inch balls and roll in the peanuts. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake in a 350-degree oven for 8-10 minutes or until cookies are just set. Press thumb gently into the middle of each cookie and cool on rack.  Spoon about a teaspoon of melted chocolate into each cookie. Makes about 8 dozen.