#Secret Recipe Club: Slightly chewy, old-fashioned peanut butter cookies, with chocolate chips.
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This is my first month to post with the Secret Recipe Club, and I'm really excited. But there was a little bump in the road on my way to this post.
I came home one evening a couple of weeks ago, checked email and Facebook before heading to bed (please tell me I'm not the only person here who does that), and noticed a cascade of emails from the SRC group chirping about their posts that had just gone up. I felt a burst of panic. Oh God, I thought. Was my post due tonight?
I hadn't even bought the ingredients yet. How could I have gotten the date wrong? The blog I had been assigned, Turnips 2 Tangerines written by Lynn, wasn't going to be highlighted the following morning along with everyone else's. There are rules around this, and I was sure I would be kicked out of the Club before I had even started. I felt horrible.
My husband, whose marriage survival skills immediately kicked in, didn't tell me I was over-reacting, or point out it was just blogging. Instead, he generously offered to run to the local 7-11 store to pick up ingredients. I glanced at my watch. Ten minutes to midnight. It's the 7-11 store, not the 7-12 store. I had to work with what I already had.
Could I find a recipe, make it, photograph it, write it up, and sneak the post in before 3am (6am on the east coast)? I didn't think so. So I sent my SRC leader an email explaining how badly I had messed up. Well, I actually sent her three. I know, I know. An over-reaction.
It wasn't until an hour or two later that I suddenly remembered that different groups have different posting dates. My group is D, not due for another two weeks. Big. Huge. Relief. I wrote a fourth email to my SRC leader saying, essentially, 'um...never mind :-/'. But in my fatigued state, never hit 'send'. The next morning, of course she said no worries. And of course I responded oh thank goodness. But I felt pretty stupid for not being able to follow a simple calendar, and for hitting the drama note before I had even left the gate. A rough start.
I made Lynn's Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies the next day. I'd had my eye on them along with her Tortellini Lentil Soup and Maple Baked Beans. But let's face it, by then I desperately needed cookies. I made some adjustments for baking these at 7000 feet above sea level, and added some chocolate chips. For making these at sea level, just go to Lynn's original recipe on Turnips 2 Tangerines.They were just the ticket to feeling better, and if I hadn't had to share them with my husband, I would have eaten every single one. They have just the right combination of chewiness and crumble, and are so easy to make.
Best of all, I found you can make them with ingredients you probably have hanging around your kitchen, even if you want to make them at midnight and the stores are all closed.
More Cookies with Chocolate Chips
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chips
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups 5.6 ounces all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup 1 stick butter
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar or make your own!
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375˚F convection, and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silpat.
- Stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl using a whisk. It's important to evenly distribute the baking soda as much as possible through the flour.
- In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter for a couple of minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add peanut butter and sugars, and beat again until fluffy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and beat well.
- Remove the bowl from the standing mixer and add the dry ingredients in thirds, folding them into the dough with a spatula. Each third should be fairly well combined before adding the next third. This method helps prevent the gluten in the flour from developing too much, keeping the cookie tender.
- When the dry ingredients are completely mixed into the dough, fold in the chocolate chips, and scoop the dough into small balls using a small ice cream scoop. Place them on the lined cookie sheet roughly 2 inches apart. I used a scoop that was a little more than 1 inch diameter. Crisscross the tops of the balls with the tines of a fork so that they're flattened.
- Bake for 11 - 12 minutes. The cookies will still be soft in the centers, but the edges will be firming up and a golden brown. If you bake them until they're firm, by the time they cool, they won't be chewy at all. They'll just break apart.
- Remove from the oven, and keep the cookies on the cookie sheet for one minute before removing to a cooling rack. Allow to cool enough to firm up, if you can wait that long, before sneaking a few.
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel
Haha! Ooooohh nooo! You poor thing! Glad you didn't miss the reveal... the cookies look yummy!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much! I'm so glad I didn't miss the reveal too!
Lynn H @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
Hi! I had to laugh when I read this because it is something I would do:) This was my first time posting a recipe for The Secret Recipe Club and I think I had a dream similar to your "nightmare" I was sure I would post either to late or to early! Thanks for choosing my recipe for Old Fashion Peanut butter cookies:) I have made these cookies many times late at night when my kids would inform me they signed me up for the bake sale at school the next day. I always had the ingredients on hand~Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I just loved going through your blog - you have so many wonderful baked things there I had a hard time choosing. My oldest grandson is visiting us next weekend for Labor Day Weekend and I plan to make them again for him 🙂
nicole
Great choice I love anything with PB
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Me too!
JJ - 84thand3rd
Oh no, that definitely deserves cookies! Welcome to SRC 🙂
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I can always come up with a great reason to have cookies 🙂
Laura
These sound and look lovely. I love the peanut butter/chocolate combination. What may I ask do you have to change for high altitude cooking and why? I have no experience of this but I like to learn knew things so it would be interesting to learn the reasoning beyond it =)
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much Laura! High altitude creates a few challenges. Because it's so much drier at 7000 feet, baked items need more moisture. And because the air pressure is lower, I have to cut back on leaveners or the baked item will blow up in the oven and then completely collapse. Cooking times also get extended for some reason I don't really understand. But cooking brown rice can take me as long as 90 minutes!! A rough lesson when dinner guests are waiting. And waiting. And waiting.
Laura
Oh thank you for that, that's really interesting. I never realised baking/cooking was affected so much. The only thing I would have considered was the air pressure difference but its all good to know!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
We spend about 1/3 of the year in the mountains, so I've had to figure it out - I love to bake. I've lost count now of the all the horrible mistakes along the learning curve 🙂 My biggest surprise I must say was cooking time for legumes and grains. Big, big difference.
Liz
Susan, your cookies look picture perfect! Welcome to the SRC (I'm in Group C)...you'll love it!!!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I'm so excited to be here in the Club!! Thanks for the warm welcome, Liz!
Beth
That sounds like the kind of thing that might happen to me! So glad you got your dates right and got to participate in SRC.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Me too!!
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes
I didn´t send the emails, but had a similar reaction when I read a mail saying it was posting date for group C. I was in group D, right? right? I had to go check it all again. And then yesterday i rechecked the scheduled post more than a few times. Is it scheduled, will it post? Even though we have until noon to post! You don´t want to mess up on the first assignment! These are gorgeous cookies Susan! Pb and chocolate, such a crowd pleaser.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
That first time is a little stressful, isn't it? It looks like this is your first month in the Club too!! So happy to see you here 🙂
Renee - Kudos Kitchen
I so enjoyed reading this post Susan. It sounds like something I would completely do so I totally understand your sense of panic, relief and then embarrassment. Been there, felt that. LOL Nice job on the cookies...They look yummy!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Renee! I felt pretty stupid, but I know I can't be the only one who can mess up like that 🙂
Janie E
I remember when I first started SRC, I had a ton of spaz moments where I was like WAIT is it today? Did I get this right? - so don't feel like you're the only one 😛
The cookies look amazing!
Great post for your first reveal - welcome to Group D!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much Janie. And thanks for your patience through the four emails 🙂 .
apuginthekitchen
What a scare, I know you breathed a sigh of relief. Those cookies look really good. Love PB cookies and adding the chocolate chips makes them even better.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Oh man, Suzanne. And the whole time I'm thinking, I know I'm being ridiculous. My husband and I laugh about it now, and thankfully it all worked out in the end 🙂
Karen
WELCOME to the SRC Susan and what a FABULOUS first post too! I LOVE cookies aka biscuits in the UK and yours look amazing! Karen
Rebekah @ Making Miracles
Welcome to SRC!!! These look like a FANTASTIC treat - great choice!!! We love PB cookies; I'll definitely have to save these ones to try.
Kirstin
Yum!!! sounds soooo good. Welcome to the club.
Emily @ Life on Food
These looks super yummy. I always try to go savory for the SRC but then I get so jealous of the treats on reveal day.
Lynda - TasteFood
Try as I may, I am not a fan of peanut butter cookies. I bet this will taste sublime with almond butter and will report back to you!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Yes, please do. I didn't realize peanut butter cookies and you aren't close buds. I would image almond butter would be fantastic!!
Traci
YUM! These look amazingly good. wish I could sink my teeth into one right now! Great SRC pick. Welcome to SRC!
Tara
What a wonderful first post! This is my first month too and I was looking over every single detail to make sure I didn't miss anything. Your cookies look beautiful!
Erin @ Table for 7
These cookies look beautiful! Welcome to SRC 🙂
Barb S
Sounds like a winner and I love your story. I'd need cookies at that point too!
Melissa
Welcome to the club! These cookies sound great. Thanks for sharing 🙂
SallyBR
Welcome to the SRC! I hope your future adventures will be less painful, although I had to laugh when you revealed the detail of panicking two weeks in advance 😉
This sounds like something I would do, so you are safe with me 😉
I've been a member for almost 2 years, and every month I am eager for the last Monday to arrive, it's such a fun day!
so, I hope to see you around for many many many posts in the SRC
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks Sally, and thanks for the warm welcome. I'm so excited to get going now on September's post!!
CCU
Love these delicious cookies my friend, they look so chewy and addictive 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Deb
I can't tell you how many times I entered the incorrect date for an event on my IPad.... Finally I slowed down and started double checking my entries. All is good now! I am happy your Secret Recipe Club dates all worked out because I am very much enjoying the lush Old fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies!
mommasangelbaby
I am patiently waiting to qualify to be a member of SRC, I am pretty new to food blogging and only have about 25 recipes on my blog so far, only 1/4 of the required 100. I so appreciate your high altitude version of the recipe, here in Albuquerque, NM, we are at least a mile high, and plenty dry! I am also really excited to add your blog to the many food blogs I follow, as my daughter is a "pescatarian" - she considers herself a vegitarian, but she eats fish and sea food. We are always looking for ways to satisfy her protein needs without getting too boring. Unfortunately, she often gets a fish fillet of some kind, 'cause it's hard enough to come up with and prepare one meal for the family, soy nothing of two! I really look forward to reading more of your blog!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I can remember when I was at your stage! It wasn't that long ago. I waited and waited until I had the required 100 and a bit more and I'm really happy to be in now. You'll get here too :-). I did a lot of high altitude baking this summer - if you're interested in some of the things I made, I'm pretty sure there's a category here. I should make sure! We spent the summer at 7000 feet, but we're back at sea level now. It's really different for both cooking and baking, isn't it? Thanks for visiting my blog!!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl
Peanut butter cookies are absolutely one of my favorites. They are addicting and it's hard to only get me eat 1 or 2. I'm going to live dangerously and make a batch of these, thank you!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I live on the edge on a regular basis. Too regular, 🙂
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere
What a sweet husband! This was my first month too, and I had a couple similar freak outs. 🙂 But, we're through the first one, and we've got a fabulous reveal day! Your cookies seriously have me drooling!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Smooth sailing for both of us now 🙂 Welcome to the club!!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
Welcome to the club! I've been in since 2011 and it's really fun to muck around in someone's blog, spelunking for treasure.
Great lookin' cookies!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
I love the way you put it - spelunking for treasure. It's so true. It's really fun to go visiting someone else site for the pure pleasure of knowing I'm going to cook at least one thing from there 🙂
amy @ fearless homemaker
Welcome to the SRC - what a perfect choice for your first SRC post. YUM!
Asiya @ Chocolate and Chillies
That was a great story...I had a similar experience but it was with the participation form. I didn't realize I had to fill it out for each month...I hadn't even done a post and I thought I was going to get kicked out for not filling out the form...but the ladies running this group are great and understood since I was knew I missed it.
This is a great pick for your first post...cookies look great!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
LOL, I'm happy to hear I wasn't the only one to have jitters about this! Smooth sailing for both of us now 🙂
Kelsey @ K&K Test Kitchen
These cookies look perfect!! Welcome to the club!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Thanks so much Kelsey! I'm really excited to be here with all you guys!
Christy@SweetandSavoring
Yum! Peanut butter and chocolate is one of my favorite combinations. Can't wait to make this recipe!
Karen @ Karen's Kitchen Stories
Those look really good. This is my first SRC round too. So fun!
The Wimpy Vegetarian
Welcome to the party, Karen. So exciting to get in!!
Terra
For all the times I have made peanut butter cookies, I don't believe I have added chocolate chips. Okay hubby would love love this yummy addition! You cookies sound so delicious! Hugs, Terra
bakingaddict
Welcome to SRC. Brilliant recipe especially as I love peanut butter and I love cookies. I'm so glad you didn't miss reveal day - it can be quite nerve wrecking. I have to use the time zone converter and always worry that I'll get it wrong but I've been ok so far 🙂
Nancy @ gottagetbaked
omg I hate that feeling of panic when I realize I've totally dropped the ball! Kudos to your husband! Sometimes when I'm running around like a lunatic, baking, photographing and blogging at the last minute for an event, my hubby rolls his eyes and says "it's only a blog." That's when I punch him in the throat (in my mind). An old co-worker of mine once went home after work, took a nap, woke up at 7 pm and thought she had overslept for work. She actually got back on the bus to the office to realize that it was only the evening of the same day. It happens to the best of us! Good thing you made these gorgeous cookies to soothe yourself. PB & chocolate is the best combo ever!
Anne @ Webicurean
Wait, your 7-11 isn't open 24 hours?! I can't wait to try these cookies--my sister's mother-in-law made the best peanut butter cookies, and now that she's gone, I have yet to find something even close. I'm on a mission!
Shashi
You are not the only person who checks their FB before going to bed 🙂 These peanut butter cookies look yummy! I make a flourless version - but yours looks way more decadent!
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com
Mary Frances
You are definitely not the only person who checks email before bed, and not the only one who has looney moments either! The cookies look delicious.
Cass @foodmyfriend
I have been craving choc chip cookies ALL WEEK. Yum!
Mary @ Fit and Fed
Your husband sounds like a real sweetie, I'm glad you were able to reward him with cookies!