Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

1 large egg

250g white/brown sugar (mixture if possible)

240g peanut butter

1 tsp baking soda

100g dark chocolate (roughly chopped)

Utensils

Large mixing bowl

Wooden spoon or electric mixer

Baking sheet

Parchment paper

Cooling rack

Spatula

Measuring spoons

Method

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare Your Ingredients:
   1. Crack the egg into a small bowl and whisk it lightly with a fork.
   2. Measure out your sugar. If you’re using a mix of white and brown, aim for half and half (125g of each) for a balanced sweetness and texture.
   3. Have your peanut butter ready, ensuring it’s at room temperature for easier mixing.
   4. Roughly chop your dark chocolate into small chunks, so they distribute evenly through the cookies.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, egg, and sugar. If you’re using an electric mixer, set it to a medium speed. Mix until the ingredients are well incorporated, and the mixture becomes smooth and slightly fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
4. Add the Baking Soda: Sprinkle the baking soda evenly over the peanut butter mixture. Mix it in well to ensure an even distribution throughout the dough. The baking soda helps the cookies rise and ensures they have a tender texture.
5. Fold in the Chocolate: Gently fold in the chopped dark chocolate using a spatula. Make sure the chocolate is distributed evenly throughout the dough for a balanced chocolate-to-cookie ratio in every bite.
6. Shape the Cookies: Using your hands or a spoon, scoop out small portions of dough (about the size of a tablespoon). Roll each portion into a ball and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Space the cookies about 2 inches apart, as they will spread slightly during baking.
7. Flatten the Cookies: Use a fork to gently press down on each cookie ball, creating a crosshatch pattern on top. This helps flatten the cookies and gives them that classic peanut butter cookie look. If the dough sticks to the fork, dip the fork in a little sugar between presses.
8. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as they should be golden brown around the edges but still slightly soft in the center. They’ll firm up as they cool.
9. Cool the Cookies: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven. Let them rest on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a cooling rack using a spatula. Allow them to cool completely (if you can wait that long!).
10. Serve: These peanut butter cookies are best enjoyed once cooled, when the chocolate is still slightly melty. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to 5 days.