Peanut Butter Cookies

In the previous post I talked about how inexpensive/easy baking can be. As a continuation to that blog, I thought it would also be useful to mention the essential tools for baking.  

If you have been reading my recipes, there are a handful of supplies I always use, and mention:

1. Kitchen scales—one should always have one of these in their kitchen. I bought mine from Amazon for £7, and it works just as good as the more expensive ones on the market.  
2. Parchment/Wax/Baking paper
3. Spatula
4. Measuring Cups/Spoons/Jug
5. Whisk/Kitchen Aid/Hand Mixer—I suggest you buckle down and buy the £10 pound hand mixer if you don’t already have one. Sure, you can use a whisk or a wooden spoon, but have you ever tried creaming butter and sugar with it? It’s exhausting. Take my word for it.
6. Sieve or Sifter—I’ve always used a sieve in the kitchen, even for sifting flour, so don’t feel obligated to buy both.
7. Mixing bowls
8. Tins/Trays/Baking Pans—for the longest time I only had a loaf pan, pie pan, and baking tray. If you are just starting off with baking, that’s all you need too. Save the muffin tins and cake pans for when you get more comfortable in the kitchen.
9. Cooling Rack—not essential, but it does speed up cooling time for cookies etc.

 *most of my supplies (except for the scales and mixer) have been bought from Poundland or Wilkos for £1 or less, so don't be overwhelmed with the amount of tools you need.

Moving on, I have been searching for a great peanut butter cookie recipe for the longest time. Couldn't find any that I really liked. Luckily, my aunt, who is quite possibly the best baker I know, shared this one with me:

Peanut Butter Cookies

Makes about 24 large cookies

Supplies

Measuring Cups

Hand Mixer or Kitchen Aid, or if you are going old school, a wooden spoon

2 large bowls

Baking trays

Wax paper

Ingredients

1 cup Vegetable oil (sunflower and corn work as well-NEVER use olive oil)

1 cup Brown Sugar

½ cup Granulated Sugar

2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 tsp Baking Soda

2 Eggs

½ cup Cornstarch (corn flour for the Brits) or oatmeal flour

2 cups Flour

¾ cup Peanut Butter

Method

1. Preheat oven to 190C/375F and line two baking trays with parchment paper

2. In a large bowl, beat Oil and Sugar until creamy

3. Then slowly add Vanilla, Baking Soda, Eggs, and Cornstarch, and mix until batter is light and fluffy

4. Add the Flour and Peanut Butter and continue to beat until everything is combined

5. Take a tablespoon sized amount of batter, roll it into a ball, and then flatten it. Place on baking sheets.

6. Bake cookies for about 8-10 minutes (8 minutes if you want them soft and chewy, 10 if you want them harder). Cookies should have a nice golden colour. Remove and place on a wire rack until cooled.

Enjoy!