Monday 7 July 2014

Magical Peanut Butter Cookies


Last Saturday I took things easy. No complicated baking. No egg separation, no stiff peaks, soft peaks and what nots. I wasn't really in the mood to bake. Having just recovered from food poisoning, I was still weak and my digestion wasn't very good. And it was terribly hot. But I still had to have my baking fix and I settled on something unbelievably simple. 




The first time I came across these cookies was Louiz's Peanut Butter Chewies and I found it quite unbelievable that these cookies are made with only 3 ingredients. On top of that there is no flour used at all. So when I was browsing through Paula Deen's recipes, out popped this Magical Peanut Butter Cookies recipe and Louiz's bake immediately sproinked into my head!



So I got busy. One cup of peanut butter, one cup of sugar and one egg. Another ingredient is vanilla extract which I think is optional. But I added it anyway. All into one bowl and mix, mix, mix. I wish I hadn't added the vanilla because somehow it didn't quite fit in. Didn't smell right to me, vanilla and peanut butter. But that's just me. You might like it. And what I got was a dough that surprisingly wasn't sticky and didn't stick to my hands.



All I had to do was give the dough a pinch, roll it into marble sized balls and use a fork to flatten the dough.


Pinch and roll into a ball.


Use a fork to flatten the dough.

I quite enjoyed this process.

I then baked the cookies at 180C for 14 minutes. I was very excited to try the cookies. As I was busy peeping into the oven, I felt a sharp stab at the corner of my left eye. Pesky eyelash! That's what I thought. I hate it when a stray eyelash lodges itself at the corner of my eye and starts poking. I instinctively rubbed my eye to get rid of the irritation. Then I realized that my left eye vision was blur. Oh dear, my contact lens must have moved away to the corner of my eye (happened before). I ran upstairs to look in the mirror. Nope, it wasn't there. I ran back to the kitchen. And there it was.


My contact lens took a hike.

On the kitchen floor. Haiz.....I picked it up, went upstairs and rinsed in with saline. And popped it back into my eye and ran downstairs to the kitchen again. That is a lot of exercise for me in one day. My cookies were done and I left them to cool on the dining table. My partner was having his lunch and he asked me "Can eat, ah?". "They are still hot, let them cool a bit first", I told him. But the moment I went back into the kitchen he grabbed a cookie. "Mmmm...nice. Like peanut cookies". I told him the cookies were made of peanut butter. And of course I had to taste one too. 



It was nice but these cookies are of the soft and chewy type, not my favorite. But not bad. The second batch of cookies were ready and I baked this batch for 12 minutes only. "So how is it?", I asked him as he munched in deep concentration. "I can't really say. I need another one". He munched again. "So, how?". "One more, I need one more". More munching. "This batch is more soggy", he pronounced. Three cookies and this is the verdict. Men. LOL!



This recipe makes only a small batch of cookies. How many? Sorry I didn't count. I'm an accountant and you would think that I like to count stuff but most of the time I forget. hah..hah...As you can see up there, I only managed to fill up a small plastic canister. Overall, these cookies are just OK for me. Good to satisfy craving for peanut butter and for small munching. In spite of using no sugar added peanut butter, I found that 1 cup of sugar is still way too sweet for me. So will I bake this again? Maybe. Maybe.










Magical Peanut Butter Cookies
Recipe source : Paula Deen

Ingredients :
- 1 egg
- 1 cup sugar (125g) (I would reduce in future)
- 1 cup peanut butter (250g)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (I would leave out)

Method :
1. Preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, sugar, egg and vanilla (if using). Stir well with a spoon.
3. Roll dough into balls the size of walnuts. Place the balls on the prepared baking tray.
4.  With a fork, press on each cookie.
5. Bake for 12-14 minutes, remove from oven and cool before storing in an airtight container.


74 comments:

  1. Oh? That looks easy. I think I can manage that. Gotta try it...someday. Hehehehehehe!!!!

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    1. Are you sure you will try? hee..hee...

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  2. Just simple ingredients and end up with yummy golden brown cookies.

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    1. Mel, the cookies are nice when just out of the oven but becomes soft when cooled down.

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  3. Morning Phong Hong.. Your peanut butter cookies look so crunchy and nice !! Really.. Mine, well, I have to admit, a bit soft in the centre leh.. But I still finished them coz very nice, hehe.. But make sure drink plenty of water or coconut juice after that la.. So are they crunchy? Or chewy?
    When I saw your contact lens, I laughing ahh.. Eh, what if (I say what IF) it'd dropped inside the peanut butter mixture? Then how? Kekekeke..

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    1. Morning, Louiz! Actually they are only slightly crunchy when just out of the oven but become soft once cooled down. When I ate it the next morning, lagi soft and chewy. I prefer crunchy cookies and this one I think is best eaten fresh from the oven. It is good for those sudden cravings.
      hah..hah...luckily my contacts didn't go into the cookie dough. If it did, have to write off lor...

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  4. The colour looks very evenly browned... so you did a few runs before trying out the cookies? hahahaa... thank goodness the contact lens was not stepped upon when you went back to the kitchen... I experienced it a few times before too.. the lens went to the side of the eye or the bottom of the eye.. then got to move my fingers up and down, right and left to locate it.. :)

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    1. Claire, this is first attempt. The cookies are of the soft type lah. Best eaten fresh from the oven. One time my contact lens went up to the corner of my eye and refused to come out! After blinking and blinking then only it could dislodged. Stress....

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  5. first of all, when I see the shape of this cookie, it reminds me of your twin punya butter cookies she once baked and blog about it!! haha.. sama macam like twin only, just that hers is fairer and yours darker..

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    1. I so happy la SK remembers !! I love you SK !!

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    2. SK, you made my sistah very happy!

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  6. haha, peanut butter cookies woh, it better taste like peanuts right?? softer and chewy type?? oh I actually am fine with that, in fact I think I prefer this chewy type than the common crunchy type.. Subway sells this type of soft chewy cookies, I always like to go buy one leh, hehe!!

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    1. SK, this cookie is so soft that one would think it is "lau hong" already. If you like it that way then it is OK but me I prefer crunchy.

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  7. now I know you probably are making a mess in the kitchen, your contact lens dropped onto the floor from your eye!! aiyoh, sure like a headless chicken running up and down the house.. kelakar lah you.. luckily it didn't drop into the cookie and went into the oven!! oh~~~ @.@"

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    1. hah..hah...ya lor....macam lipas kudung, lari sini lari sana :D If got onto the cookie then habis liao, got to get another spare lens.

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  8. Hi Phong Hong, your cookies look addictive and well done. This kind of cookies sure hard to stop eating... plus if got coffee lagi best. Send me some. LOL

    Aiyoh... lucky your contact len never masuk into the cookies dough. Anyway glad that you found it.
    Have a nice day.

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    1. Amelia! Wah..I saw you on TV lah...Good job! Anyway, these cookies are best fresh from oven so you must come over first before I bake. I must be more careful when baking. Must not kacau my eyes :D

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  9. Initially I thought you are making that Japanese amall pancake dorayaki. I love anything peanut. ..yummy...

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    1. Hi Chris! These cookies are full of peanut flavour. I think your Princess can bake this, so easy.

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  10. Wow! The cookies looked perfect in shape and colours. That convinced me that it tasted even better. Next time you have food poisonings, just send over all your bakings and cookies for me to help you finish them. I will be happy and you get merits too!

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    1. Hi TM! I have to agree that the cookies look nice. But this is not the type that can keep. It was so soft the next day. Like masuk angin.

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  11. Hi Phong Hong, these cookies are so nicely golden browned. Hee hee ! You also don't count the cookies. Don't know why, I only have the 'cookie baking' mood towards the year end during Christmas and Chinese New Year festive seasons... bookmarked this till year end ^-^

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    1. Karen, I think this cookies is not so suitable for CNY because it becomes soft when cooled. It is best fresh from the oven. Good for teatime treats!

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  12. You made me excited to try this!

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    1. Lina, try it! It makes a small manageable batch and best eaten straight from the oven.

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  13. Hi Phong Hong,

    Hope that you are feeling better now... Hope that these magical cookies can make you feel better :D

    Zoe

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    1. Thanks, Zoe! I am OK now and eating with gusto like usual hah..hah....

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  14. Hi Phong Hong, me too not in the mood to cook or bake cos' not feeling well. Suspected pre diabetes or thyroid, huh! quite unbelievable but I had the symptoms. But I certainly bookmarked this to try.cos' I intend to make my own peanut butter when I have the time and mood.

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    1. Hi Kimmy! Oh dear, I hope that it is just flu and nothing so serious as pre diabetes or thyroid. Please take care. Wow, making your own peanut butter is even better than store bought. Fresh and sure taste very good.

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  15. I admire that you decided to bake after food poisoning and in hot weather!
    this hot weekend I had no cakes:)

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    1. Hi Ola! I am addicted to baking hah..hah...

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  16. I seldom bake cookies except CNY, can share some kah?

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    1. Sonia, ya lor, actually I also prefer cookies for festive time. But since this is so easy, I decided to bake it. Of course lah can share. I want your chiffon cake :)

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  17. haha, i shared the same sentiment as you. I'm a bean counter too but somehow hate to count, especially if going out for dinner with friends and they tend to pass the bill for me to verify which i really hates.
    Lovely cookies.

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    1. Hi Sem! We already have our fair share of "counting" in the office and please don't make us count after office hours hah..hah...hah...

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  18. PH, just recovered from food poisoning, can be so super energetic, I really "tapek" you, keep up the good work Kawan!

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    1. Hi Christine! No choice mah....very boring if got nothing to do hah..hah...

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  19. Butter cookies sounds great to me! Boleh bagi sikit cuba? haha...

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  20. My hubby loves peanut butter cookies, but we always buy them from Bengawan Solo. Maybe I should move nearer to your home, Phong Hong :D

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  21. hi phong hong, i've nvr tried other peanut cookies before except for the usual chinese ones that we get during chinese new year and i like that very much. Dont know why when i look at your peanut cookies and as you mentioned soft and chewy, it actually reminds me of those kampar chicken biscuits, the soft and chewy type :)

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    1. Hi Lena! I have eaten the Kampar chicken biscuits. Sweet and savoury, quite nice. This peanut butter cookies is soft and best to eat fresh out of the oven.

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  22. Hi Phong Hong, Your peanut butter cookies look yummy! Can share some with me? :D

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    1. Hi Ann! I would be glad to share the cookies with you!

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  23. OK it is really easy with 3 ingredients, n it's good that it doesn't stick to your hands when shaping it. But I also will cut down on the sugar.... tsk what's with these american cookies with their sugary content huh?

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    1. Hi Yen! The amount of sugar in American recipes really scare me!

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  24. I gave up wearing contact lenses. With long sighted and short sighted it is a big problem for me :(
    I think my hubby will like these cookies!

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    1. Hi Gertrude! Me too having long sighted problem but my correction is quite high for short sightedness. So no choice but to wear contacts (OK lah vain also hah..hah...). Carlos will love these sweet cookies.

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  25. I like this chewy crunchy peanut cookies... yumz... But hor only will bake cookies when or during festive season is around the corner... But like Louiz, bake small portion also can...the kids love them very much. Paula Deen's recipes are quick and amazing.

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    1. But need to reduce the sugar....that is far too sweet for me too.

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    2. Hi Angeline! This cookie not crunchy when cooled down but taste nice. It is good to bake as teatime treats. Easy and quick and it makes a small manageable batch. I think your leng chai and leng lui will love the cookies.

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  26. I love chewy or crunchy peanut butter cookies, and I agree that there is way too much sugar in many American recipes. Greetings from Montreal, Canada. :)

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    1. Hi Linda! Thanks for coming over. Definitely way too much sugar in American cakes and cookies. It scares me!

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  27. PH, I also baked similar peanut cookies b4, very fragrance and delicious.

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    1. Hi Jess! Yes, these cookies are so fragrant and nice to eat.

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  28. You wear contact lens at home too? Hmm, I prefer to wear specs at home, much more easier, but when I go out, I will choose to wear lens, sometimes ;)

    Your peanut butter cookies looks good, I love anything peanut-ty ;)

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    1. Hi Hayley! I usually wear them at home too but prefer specs in the evenings. Try these cookies. Very nice fresh from the oven. I think Aden will like.

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  29. I think i make peanut butter cookies before...

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    1. Oh you did? Can do again and show? hee..hee...

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  30. Ooooo... I finally know what to do with my no sugar peanut butter ( trying to be healthy which explained the purchase but the peanut butter sucks big time..tasteless.. Lol ). By the way, do try ortho-k. It's a hard contact lense that you only wear at night while sleeping and overnight, it will correct your vision so that during the day time, you will not need to wear contact lenses or glasses. My son has been wearing them since he was 9 and he's 16 now and there has been no deterioration of his vision at all. I started wearing at the same time as him and my eyes are fine too.

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    1. Hi Shereen! hah..hah....but I actually like the no-sugar peanut butter. This is the first time I heard about ortho-k. Interesting, I must find out more about it. Thanks for the info!

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  31. As usual Phong Hong, you crack me up!! :) I love the look of these cookies. Looks like I shall need to make 4 times the amount to feed my horde!

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    1. Hi Diana! Hope your LAM gives you the thumbs up hah...hah...

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  32. Wow looks incredibly easy! Makes me feel like making some too.

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    1. Hi Mich! Do try it but these are good fresh from oven. Not so nice the next day because they become soft.

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  33. Hi Phong Hong...

    You always make my jaw drop. THREE ingredients and no flour! Gotta be kidding! I've just got to read the whole thing. Ya la... you tak bohong meh. Memang THREE ingredients only! Huhuhu.. that day punya TWO ingredients bread pun belum try. Icecream sudah half tub gone! Hahahahaha.. Luckily I am not a peanut butter fan, otherwise, peanut butter pun gone sebelum sempat transform into something else. Hahaha....

    Your partner is just like my late dad. When asked, how does it taste like? He'll ask for more. Bila sudah kenyang, then he'll say.. oookaylah. Hahahaha....

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    1. Hi MamaFaMi! Oh..you want to try that Ice Cream Bread yer? I also but forgot to buy ice-cream hah..hah....Your late dad pun kelakar, kan? hah...hah...hah....

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  34. Hi Phong Hong,
    This is indeed magical. With only 3 ingredients a cookie is transform.
    Like you I prefer crunchy type but I don't mind having chewy peanut butter cookies made by PH.
    Throw a few pieces over please :D
    mui

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  35. Hi Phong Hong, no fun getting 'food poison'...glad you're feeling better now. Must be some 'magic' in those yummy peanut butter cookies...and so easy to make? will have to make a double or triple batch because it will not last long here, at all. Funny about your contact lens...I've had incidents like this happen so many times, and so far I found it as well...just not lately; mine ended up going down the drain in the bathroom sink before I could catch it...sigh!

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    1. Hi Elisabeth! I'm all good now, thank you! I think we all have stories about our contact lenses. They do act up, don't they? hah..hah....

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  36. this magical peanut butter cookies caught my eye. i love peanut butter! I made something similar, with some oats and choc chip.. yummy!

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    1. Shannon, yours is even better with oats and choc chip. Especially the oats, for roughage hah..hah...

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