Hurricane-Inspired Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies

Although there were some hard hit areas for Hurricane Irene, we where not in one of them. I blame this completely on us being fully prepared. We had charged our phones, our computers, ipods, and our kindles fully expecting to lose power. We also stocked up on a few movies as well, expecting to be stuck in the house all weekend. I also make some very stylish candelabras as well. I know you're super jealous that you don't have a pair either. Well, we didn't loose power but we were stuck in the house because of the winds. 

Being stuck in the house all day only leads to one thing - baking. Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies - yes please! They may look small but they pack a punch and are fairly dense. Mine aren't the prettiest in the world but the dough is very easy to work with and you could do a lot of fun and creative things with them. Easy to make - we only used 1 bowl. They would also be very tasty topped with a little frosting or a chocolate bit/kiss as well.

Hurricane Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (or half a jar)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt - corse salt (sea salt works well)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour (or white works also)
• 1/3 cup Chocolate Baking Powder
• Optional - chocolate chunk or chip for the top of the cookie

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375degrees
2. Mix together the sugar, butter, peanut butter, vanilla, eggs, and chocolate powder in one bowl. Add in the baking soda, salt and flour in slowly. The dough will be thick. I used my hands. It was easier.
3. Once it's all nicely mixed together, either pop some parchment paper or greesed tin foil on some baking sheets.
4. The cookies don't spread out so the way you form them, will be the way they bake. Ours where about an inch in diameter and they where about 1/2 inch thick.
5. If you are adding candy, press it down in the middle of the cookie.
6. Bake for around 9-11 minutes based on how hot your oven is. Let them cool on the tray for about 10 minutes then transfer to the cooling rack.
Happy Eating!