Nut Butter Cookies

Nut Butter Cookies Recipe - Delicious Vegetarian Dessert

Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes | Servings: 12 |

Vegetarian diet

Introduction

Nut butter cookies are a delicious and satisfying treat that are perfect for any occasion. Made with a combination of natural butter, oil, and whole white flour, these cookies are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Whether you enjoy them as a snack or dessert, nut butter cookies are a versatile and tasty option for any time of day.

History

The origins of nut butter cookies can be traced back to traditional peanut butter cookie recipes that have been passed down through generations. Over time, variations of the recipe have emerged, incorporating different types of nut butters and additional ingredients to create unique and flavorful cookies. Today, nut butter cookies are a popular choice for those looking for a sweet and satisfying treat.

Ingredients

0.5 cup light, natural oil (preferably sunflower)
0.75 cup natural nut butter of your choice
0.75 cup unrefined, brown sugar
Equivalent of 1 egg in egg replacer
1 tsp alum-free baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
2.5 cup whole wheat or unbleached white flour
0.25 tsp sea salt

How to prepare

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the light oil, peanut butter, and sugar until smooth.
Add the egg replacer and vanilla extract, and beat well.
Sift together the baking powder, flour, and salt.
Add the sifted mixture to the peanut butter mixture in 3 parts, stirring with a wooden spoon after each addition until well-mixed and all the flour is added.
Roll the dough in the palms of your hands to create slightly smaller than golf ball-sized balls. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour to the bowl and mix well until it reaches the correct consistency.
Place the dough balls on an ungreased baking sheet, about 3 inches apart from each other.
Press the cookies down with a fork, creating a criss-cross pattern on the top, but only enough to spread them about an inch or so.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (191°C) for 8-10 minutes.

Variations

Try using almond butter or cashew butter in place of peanut butter for a different flavor.
Add chocolate chips, dried fruit, or nuts to the dough for added texture and flavor.
Sprinkle sea salt on top of the cookies before baking for a sweet and salty twist.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to use natural butter and oil for the best flavor and texture in your cookies.

- Be sure to cream the butter, oil, and sugar together until smooth to ensure a light and fluffy cookie.

- If the dough is too sticky, add more flour until it reaches the correct consistency.

- Pressing the cookies down with a fork before baking creates a classic criss-cross pattern on the top of the cookies.

Serving Suggestions

Nut butter cookies are perfect for enjoying with a glass of milk or a cup of tea. They also make a great addition to a dessert platter or cookie exchange.

Cooking Techniques

Creaming the butter, oil, and sugar together until smooth is an important step in creating light and fluffy cookies. Rolling the dough into balls and pressing them down with a fork before baking helps to create a classic cookie shape and texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you are allergic to nuts, you can use sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter in place of peanut butter. You can also use a gluten-free flour blend in place of whole white flour for a gluten-free option.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the dough for nut butter cookies ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to bake, simply roll the dough into balls and bake as directed.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange nut butter cookies on a decorative platter or cookie tin for a beautiful presentation. You can also drizzle melted chocolate or caramel on top of the cookies for an extra special touch.

Pairing Recommendations

Nut butter cookies pair well with a variety of beverages, including milk, tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. They also go well with fresh fruit or a scoop of ice cream for a delicious dessert option.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store nut butter cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. To reheat, simply place the cookies in a preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until warm.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of nut butter cookies contains approximately 200 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of nut butter cookies contains approximately 20 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of nut butter cookies contains approximately 10 grams of fats.

Proteins

Each serving of nut butter cookies contains approximately 4 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

Nut butter cookies are a good source of vitamin E, magnesium, and zinc.

Alergens

Nut butter cookies may contain allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, and gluten.

Summary

Nut butter cookies are a delicious treat that provide a good balance of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. They are also a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, making them a satisfying and nutritious option for any time of day.

Summary

How did I get this recipe?

I recall the feeling of curiosity that overcame me when I found this recipe for Nut Butter Cookies. It was a rainy afternoon, and I was going through an old recipe box that had been passed down to me from my own grandmother. As I sifted through the yellowed index cards and faded handwritten notes, I stumbled upon a card simply labeled "Nut Butter Cookies."

I had never heard of such a recipe before, and it piqued my interest. The ingredients were simple - butter, sugar, flour, and of course, nuts. But what intrigued me the most was the method of preparation. The card instructed me to cream the butter and sugar together, then fold in the flour and nuts until a dough formed. It seemed so easy, yet so different from anything I had ever made before.

As I read over the recipe, I couldn't help but wonder where it had come from. Had my grandmother created it herself, or had she learned it from someone else? I made a mental note to ask her the next time I saw her, eager to uncover the origins of this mysterious recipe.

The following weekend, I went to visit my grandmother at her cozy little cottage in the countryside. As soon as I walked through the door, the warm scent of baking wafted through the air. I followed the smell to the kitchen, where my grandmother was busy pulling a tray of golden-brown cookies out of the oven.

"Ah, you're just in time for tea and cookies, dear," she said with a smile, handing me a steaming cup and a plate piled high with Nut Butter Cookies.

"These are delicious, Grandma," I said, taking a bite of the crispy, nutty treat. "Where did you learn to make them?"

My grandmother's eyes twinkled with nostalgia as she settled into her favorite armchair, sipping her tea and nibbling on a cookie.

"Well, it's a funny story, actually," she began. "I learned to make these cookies many years ago, when I was just a young girl. It was during the war, and times were tough. We didn't have much money, so we had to get creative with our cooking."

She went on to tell me about a kind old lady who lived down the road from her family's farm. This lady, Mrs. Jenkins, was known for her delicious baked goods, and my grandmother would often stop by on her way home from school to chat with her and sample her treats.

"One day, Mrs. Jenkins invited me into her kitchen and showed me how to make Nut Butter Cookies," my grandmother recalled. "She said it was a recipe that had been passed down in her family for generations, and she wanted to pass it on to me."

I listened intently as my grandmother described the process of making the cookies, the way Mrs. Jenkins had patiently guided her through each step, teaching her the importance of patience and precision in baking. It was a lesson that had stuck with her throughout her life, shaping her into the skilled cook she was today.

After hearing her story, I felt a newfound appreciation for the simple yet profound act of passing down recipes from one generation to the next. It wasn't just about the food itself, but the memories and traditions that were woven into each dish, connecting us to our past and to the people who had come before us.

As I finished the last of my cookie and sipped my tea, I made a mental note to write down the recipe for Nut Butter Cookies and add it to my own collection. Perhaps one day, I would pass it on to my own grandchildren, along with the story of how I learned to make them from my dear grandmother. And so the tradition would continue, a sweet reminder of the bonds that spanned generations and the love that was shared through the simple act of baking.