The pairing of peanut butter and chocolate has been one of America’s favorite flavor combinations for years. And my Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies are a special Valentine’s Day treat you can share with those that you love…or make just for yourself?
I’ve always cherished the classic Peanut Butter cookie. Did you know the first commercial recipe was published before WW I? No wonder they have been a generational favorite.
I’m always asked why is the hash-mark design used for decoration on Peanut Butter cookies. Well, it wasn’t really a decoration. It's to assist in pushing down the dough so the cookies bake evenly.
I’m sure your family will love these and they’re great for Valentine's Day gifts as well! Heck they’re worth making if it’s just for yourself! Enjoy.
Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Heart Cookies
Yield: about 30-36 cookies
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
12 oz. of tempered dark chocolate (or chocolate compound) for dipping
Directions:
1. In a large mixing bowl whisk all dry ingredients together (flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda).
2. Beat the two eggs well.
3. Using a medium size mixing bowl, cream the sugar and butter together, adding the eggs and peanut butter then mix until fluffy.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the egg and butter mixture and blend well.
5. Portion dough into 1-inch balls and place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Repeat until all the dough is portioned.
6. Using the back side of a glass or coffee mug press down the dough ball until it’s nearly 1.75 inches in diameter. Using a back side of a wooden spoon indent the top of each cookie to create the double crescent shape of the top of a heart.
7. Using your fingers, taper the bottom of each dough portion to a “V” shape.
8. Using a fork dipped in ice water, create the traditional hash tags marks in each cookie.
9. Bake at 350 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes. Watch very closely as they have a tendency to brown very quickly. Let cool, remove and place on wire racks for one hour.
10. Using your tempered chocolate or chocolate compound, dip half of the hearts into the chocolate and let set.