This I Used To Believe
I believed that if I wore a stretched out paperclip across my front teeth I would be one of the cool kids with a retainer. It turns our that retainers only seem cool when you don’t actually have to wear one.
I believed that if I sunk down in my chair low enough in Honors Algebra, I wouldn’t be called on the answer questions that I didn’t have answers to. I didn’t have answers to any… aaany of the questions. In reality, that posture was like a giant, neon, blinking arrow pointed right in my direction.
I believed that if I stayed up all night chewing gum, I was bound to get the part of Violet Beauregarde in the sixth grade performance of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. That part went to my best friend Lindsay. What does it say about me if I still think about that from time to time?
I believed that Dylan would never leave Brenda on Beverly Hills, 90210. Um… remember what happened in the pool? With Kelly!? Brenda’s best friend!? Yea… so that didn’t work out.
I believed that really good cookies simply had to have at least a few cups of all-purpose flour flour in them. These Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies changed my mind. Seriously. I know you’re thinking They’re better than you think. Way way better. These are great!
This post was inspired by last weeks episode of This American Life which, in turn, was inspired by the international essay project, This I Believe. Yaaaaay for public radio!
Believe me when I say that these cookies will surprise you. They’re exactly everything I wanted from a peanut butter cookie, without the flour. With only four ingredients (5 if you add the chocolate) I had perfectly chewy and flavorful peanut butter cookies on my table. With a glass of cold milk… my goodness… swoon! Trust me. Try them!
These cookies aren’t the type that you throw in your purse for an afternoon snack. Because they don’t have flour, they’re just a bit more delicate. If you use all-natural peanut butter, you’re cookies will hold up a bit better than if you use the fake stuff. K?
Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
The Gourmet Cookbook
makes about two dozen cookies
1 cup all-natural chunky or smooth peanut butter
1 cup sugar (1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup granulated sugar)
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet with butter and set aside. In a mixer combine peanut butter and sugars until well combined, about 2 minutes. Add egg and baking soda and mix for another 2 minutes. Roll into walnut sized balls and create a cris-cross pattern with a fork. If you’d like, add a few chocolate pieces to the top of the cookies. Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool on a baking sheet for two minutes, then transfer to… your mouth.
ovenhaven
I’ve always believed that when it comes to peanut butter cookies, the flourless ones are the best! My mom’s never big on cookies, but when they’re flourless pb cookies, she’ll just sit by the table, hoarding the whole jar :P
Eli
I loooove TAL!! I haven’t listened to this weeks podcast yet. I’m waiting until the office is absolutely unbearable and then i’ll plug in and shut everyone out for an hour.
also love peanut butter…. yay!
Stiffler
i think i found my next cookie recipe to try. i need to get the natural pnut butter first. and maybe some chocolate too.
Sri
Oh yum! THis is how I made mine too. I got my recipe from Paula Deen and hers omit the baking soda but it includes a dash of vanilla essence. YUMMY!!!!!
Most important, my girls love it.
I never add chocolate though. Duh!!! I HAVE to try that. Thanks for the idea.
Melanie Thurber
That is a great idea. I am all for cutting out flour (especially white) where it isn’t needed. Now if only we had a recipe for flourless choc. chip cookies…that’s my downfall:)
I also enjoyed the “This I used to believe” and love public radio.
Thanks for another great innovative recipe!
Patsyk
you are right, retainers are only cool to kids who didn’t need them… I had one! I also tried to hide in algebra class… hated getting called on since I just didn’t understand why algegra was so darn important to life.
those cookies look fantastic! I’d love one right now!
shez
oh! how delicious! i’ve made similar with ground peanuts & butter in the place of the peanut butter and i understand what you mean when you said “my goodness… swoon!” :)
Maria
Wow, those look good! I have made a similar recipe before and they were a hit!
Karen
I have big jar of unsalted peanuts bought by mistake and I’ve been looking for a reason to grind them up. May add a bit of salt though. This American Life is my favorite podcast too. With it, I can make it through an hour long run or bout of housecleaning. The episode re-aired last week, about cryogenics, was spellbinding.
Melanie
Just wanted to tell you that I made the breakfast dish with the orange sugar & it was delish! It is definately a keeper.
Elisa
boo! my boyfriend is allergic to peanuts so i’m not allowed to make these even though they look delicious…do you think i could use something like almond butter or nutella?
Sean
This may possibly be the shortest ingredient recipe in your site. Sounds and looks delicious Joy!
Dana McCauley
So funny – I wanted a retainer (and braces) when I was a kid, too. Now my son has them and I’m not nearly so jealous!
Your cookies sound great and I love the way you added the chocolate on top.
Risa
These cookies look great! Did you write the recipe?
Phoo-D
Who needs flour when you can just have peanut butter and chocolate?! This looks perfect and delicious.