[Cookie 055] Chunky Peanut, Chocolate, and Cinnamon Cookies

Okay, so everyone's making resolutions for the 2010 right about now, I realize this. And I realize that right now is probably not the time that you want to bake even more cookies, considering that your resolution probably has to do with eating healthier/losing a few of those pounds gained in the past few weeks. Yes, I realize this. But you've gotta hear me out.

These cookies are way way way worth breaking your resolution.

Hell, you shouldn't even be starting your resolution/diet regime yet anyway! You still have 2 more days to eat yourself into a coma WITHOUT REMORSE! And thus all the more reason for you to make these totally awesome Chunky Peanut, Chocolate, and Cinnamon Cookies. They are chunky, crunchy, hearty, and amazingly flavored. And furthermore, they answer my craving for the perfect chocolate-peanut butter flavor combination in a cookie, so if you're palate is like mine in this regard (read: totally refined and superior to all other taste palates), you will love these.

Now the specifics of the recipe. It calls for salted, roasted peanuts--but those can get a little pricey at times, and maybe your other New Year's resolution has to do with being more frugal. Enter plain, unroasted, unsalted peanuts. No, you can't just substitute those into the recipe (unless you're okay with totally compromising the taste of the cookie). But you can roast and salt your own peanuts and get the exact same delicious results without much effort at all. Just shell the peanuts, sprinkle a tad of salt on them, spread them onto a cookie sheet and stick them in a 350º oven for 15-20 minutes, and keep an eye on them so they don't burn. Done and done. Saved you a few bucks, maybe.

Anyway, the rest of the recipe is dead easy. The cinnamon is a really nice touch and provides a really subtle flavor--but next time I might add a pinch or two more to the dough just because it tastes so good. It makes the cookie a little bit different from your average peanut-chocolate cookie.

Oh, and also, you can freeze pre-rolled balls of this dough and bake them at your leisure, so if you're worried about late night cookie binges (don't worry, it happens to the best of us), just bake a few at a time and keep the dough stashed in the way way way back of the freezer, behind something healthy like frozen peas or carrots. Just not behind the ice cream. That'll just give you some wicked ideas. Which I wholeheartedly support as well. See? I can play both the devil and the angel on your shoulders, so just don't listen to me.

Here's the recipe. Do what you will. But be sure to eat at least 2. Happy New Years!!

Chunky Peanut, Chocolate, and Cinnamon Cookies

Makes about 5 dozen

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 2/3 cup roasted, salted peanuts, coarsely chopped
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Chocolate or vanilla ice cream, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Put butter and peanut butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until combined, about 2 minutes. Add sugars; mix 2 minutes. Mix in eggs. Gradually add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips, peanuts, and vanilla with a mixing spoon until well distributed. Refrigerate dough until it is slightly firm, 15 minutes.
2. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Space balls 2 to 3 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Flatten slightly. Bake until just golden, about 13 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool. Serve with ice cream.

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{End Results}
Baking Difficultly: 2/5
Ingredient Accessibility: 4.5/5
Tastiness: 4.5/5
Attractiveness: 3.5/5 (Sorry about all the half points...I'm feeling indecisive)
Is it worth it?: Worth every calorie.

{Pairings}
Drink: Is ice cream a drink?

Song: Salt Peanuts -- Dizzy Gillespie
Activity: Revising that New Year's resolution to include consuming homemade cookies instead of store bought ones! Better for your wallet and your belly, trust me.