Peanut Butter Cookies are one of everyone’s favorite cookie, right? (Except, of course, for those of you who feel antagonistic, maybe even anaphylactic, toward the peanut itself, and for you I am indeed sorry!) After messing and fiddling over a number of years I’ve arrived at the perfect recipe for creating an ideal PBC. A flourless cookie means no gluten. It also means the peanut butter flavor is very strong. I sometimes use white sugar, but using all brown, as indicated below, adds a touch more moisture and the mild hint of molasses. Using some applesauce allows for fewer eggs, lends a bit more sweetness, allowing us to reduce the sugar, and creates a soft, only slightly crumbly, with a bit of chewy in the center, cookie. (I do find we need some eggs, however, to maintain the right texture.

The amount below makes about 70 cookies (the right batch size for my family!), and is based on a 40 oz jar of peanut butter. If you need fewer it isn’t necessary to divide each ingredient strictly in half. The recipe will work with the amounts given in parenthesis.

Ingredients

• 40 oz Jar of Peanut butter (2 Cups for half batch)


• 2 Cups Packed Brown Sugar (1 Cup for half batch)


• 2 Large Eggs (*Same for half batch, or use 1 egg + ¼ Cup applesauce)


• ½ Cup Applesauce (Omit for half batch or see * above)


• 2 tsp Baking Soda (1 tsp for half batch)


• White Sugar for rolling

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°


2. Use nonstick cookie sheets, or line a regular cookie sheet with parchment paper. (If neither is available, spray cookie sheet lightly with cooking spray.)


3. Stir Baking Soda into Applesauce or Eggs.


4. Mix all ingredients except White Sugar in a large bowl until well-blended. There should be no lumps of unincorporated sugar, pockets of applesauce or streaks of egg, and the dough will be firm enough to handle and roll.


5. Roll rounded teaspoonfuls in sugar and place on cookie sheet. Press with thumbs or make crosshatch pattern with fork. (You can skip rolling and pressing and just plop like other cookies, but they won’t be as pretty.)


6. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes. Cool for a minute or two on the sheet, then transfer to cooling rack.

And that, my friends, is that! You can play with the flavor a bit by adding a teaspoon or so of vanilla and/or a teaspoon or so of cinnamon. Also, this dough takes mix-ins quite well. Just add any dry addition in with the rest of the ingredients. Want to feel like you’re sort of heart-healthy? Add a cup of Quick Oats. Chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit or small candies go nicely as well.