National Peanut Butter Cookie Day and a Recipe

Hi Friends!

Today is National Peanut Butter Cookie Day! The Aztecs invented peanut butter in the 14th century, but peanut butter cookies didn’t become an American favorite until the early 1900s. In 1916, George Washington Carver began promoting the peanut and its many uses. As part of the campaign, he published three peanut butter cookie recipes in a research bulletin entitled, “How to Grow the Peanut and 105 Ways of Preparing it for Human Consumption.”

In 1932, the Schenectady Gazette published the first peanut butter cookie recipe that called for crisscrossed fork marks on the top. Today, a peanut butter cookie just wouldn't be quite right without this iconic decoration!

To celebrate National Peanut Butter Cookie Day, dig out Grandma’s famous recipe and make a batch of delicious homemade peanut butter cookies for your family!

I'm also going to share my peanut butter cookie recipe below! Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cup (188g) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (105g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (110g) packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 cup (185g) creamy peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two 18 by 13-inch baking sheets with silicone baking liners or parchment paper. 
2. In a medium mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until combined.
4. Mix in peanut butter then blend in egg and vanilla. With mixer set on low speed slowly add in flour mixture and mix just until combined. 
5. Scoop dough out and shape into balls (30 grams each or nearly 2 Tbsp) then place on baking sheets spacing them 2-inches apart.
6. Using a long pronged fork flatten cookies slightly then turn fork going opposite direction and flatten just slightly again (it should create that criss cross pattern).
7. Bake cookies in preheated oven, one sheet at a time, for about 9 minutes (cookies will appear pale and slightly under-baked, they'll continue to cook slightly as they cool). 
8. Let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store cookies and an airtight container.