Peanut Butter Desserts
Today's post deals with the iconic Peanut Butter Desserts. Check out the Chocolate & Peanut Butter Bars w/Brûléed Marshmallow, the Peanut Butter Pie, and the rest of today's yumminess. PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
This yumminess is from Chris Kimball and adapted by Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Kim wrote, "The key to these easy peanut butter cookies is using extra crunchy peanut butter, plus a full cup of roasted salted peanuts, resulting in a super crunchy and delightfully salty-sweet treat. This version of the childhood favorite was developed by the gang at America's Test Kitchen and originally published in Cook's Illustrated magazine back in 1998. We brought it to The Times when we profiled Christopher Kimball, then the grand poobah of America's Test Kitchen, in 2009."
Total Time: 35 minutes; Yield: 4 dozen cookies
To view this yumminess online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012666-peanut-butter-cookies. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, now would be a good time to do so. Great recipes, guides, and more. Go ahead, I'll wait. (Tap, tap, tap.)
Ingredients
2-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup roasted salted peanuts
1/2 pound (2 sticks) salted butter
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup extra-crunchy peanut butter
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Preparation
Adjust oven rack to low center position. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Place peanuts in a food processor and pulse until the texture of bread crumbs. Set aside.
In bowl of electric mixer or by hand, beat butter until creamy. Add sugars and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping sides as necessary. Then beat in crunchy peanut butter until fully incorporated, followed by eggs and vanilla. Gently stir dry ingredients into peanut butter mixture. Fold in ground peanuts just until incorporated.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop dough onto sheet in spoonfuls a little bigger than a golf ball, about two inches apart. Dip a fork in cold water and then press the back into dough, repeating to make a crisscross.
Bake until cookies are puffed and slightly brown along edges, but not top, 11 to 12 minutes. They will not look completely baked. Cool cookies on cookie sheet until set, about 3 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.
Tip
Cookies will keep, refrigerated in an airtight container, up to 7 days.
PEANUT BUTTER PIE
I’d driven cab for several years. One Friday afternoon, I got a call to pick up a single dad from the store. When I dropped him off, his son and daughter came out of the trailer to help bring in the groceries.
“Did you remember to get the stuff for the peanut butter pie?” his daughter asked. They were taking it to an early Thanksgiving gathering that weekend.
“Sure did,” he answered.
“Peanut butter pie?” I asked, as we finished unloading the groceries. “How do you make that?”
“With peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, and a few other things,” came the answer.
The following week, I managed to pick the dad up again. This time, I managed to get the ingredients: pie crust, peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, cream cheese and Cool Whip. It wasn’t until the third (and final) time I picked him up in as many weeks that I got the exact amounts. He used 1/3 cup each of peanut butter and sugar, both of which I upped to 1/2 cup each.
This is in my e-cookbook, Off The Wall Cooking.

Ingredients
8-ounce tub of Cool Whip (see note)
8-ounce block of cream cheese (see note)
1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth is preferable)
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
Pie crust (see note)
Directions
Put Cool Whip, cream cheese, peanut butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. With beaters, beat on high. Pour into pie crust, smooth out, and freeze for 1 hour.
Note: Cool whip (or store equivalent) can be fat-free. Cream cheese can be regular cream cheese or the 1/3 less fat kind, but do not use fat free, as the pie won't set up right. I usually use a store-bought graham cracker crust for the pie, which is what the man used to make this. However, you can also use an Oreo cookie crust.
GRANDMA'S PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
This was one of my grandmother's recipes. You can find them in my e-cookbook, Off The Wall Cooking.


Ingredients
1/2 C butter
1/2 C peanut butter
1/2 C sugar
1 egg, well beaten
1-1/4 C flour
3/4 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Directions
Cream butter & peanut butter together. Add sugar gradually & cream thoroughly. Add egg. Sift flour once before measuring. Sift flour, soda, baking powder & salt together & add to creamed mixture. Chill dough well, then form into balls the size of walnuts. Place balls on lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten with fork dipped in flour, making criss-cross pattern. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
CHOCOLATE AND PEANUT BUTTER BARS WITH BRULEED MARSHMALLOW
This is from Michael Symon at the Food Network. For this yumminess, Michael wrote, "Rich chocolate melds perfectly with creamy peanut butter, creating an ideal pairing of flavors from the very first bite. The toasted marshmallow on top adds a delightful twist and introduces a hint of smokiness and a gooey texture. The blend of sweet and savory, crunchy and soft makes these bars an irresistible treat that I can't get enough of."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Intermediate
To view this yumminess online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-symon/chocolate-and-peanut-butter-bars-with-bruleed-marshmallow-18267741.
Ingredients
18 graham crackers (2 sleeves of crackers; about 2 cups of crumbs or 10 ounces)
1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Pinch kosher salt
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, melted
1-1/4 cups creamy peanut butter (I prefer Jif or Skippy brands for this)
1-1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
2 cups marshmallow crème
Special equipment: a kitchen torch
Directions
Line an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with plastic wrap, leaving excess to hang over the sides.
Place the graham crackers in a food processor and pulse until finely ground, then add the confectioners’ sugar and salt and give it a few more pulses. Add the melted butter and 1 cup of the peanut butter. Pulse until incorporated, then pour the mixture into the baking dish and pat the crust into an even layer.
Melt the chocolate chips over a double boiler, stirring frequently until smooth, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter. Pour the chocolate over the crust and sprinkle with flaky sea salt, then place in the refrigerator to set for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
Once set, lift the bars out of the baking dish using the overhanging plastic wrap. Remove the plastic and place the bars on a cutting board and cut into squares. Dollop marshmallow creme over each square. Use a kitchen torch to brown the marshmallow creme right before serving.
DECADENT PEANUT BUTTER PUDDING PIE
This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "You don't have to ignore your sweet tooth when it's telling you to eat something rich and creamy. Our Decadent Peanut Butter Pudding Pie uses lighter ingredients, but has so much flavor you'd never even know!"
Chill Time: 4 hours; Serves: 10; Serving Size: 1 slice
To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Pie/Decadent-Peanut-Butter-Pudding-Pie.
Ingredients
1-1/2 cup fat-free (skim) milk
1 (4-serving) package sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
1/3 cup reduced-fat peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cup frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed and divided
1 (1.5-ounce) package peanut butter cups, chopped
1 (9-inch) reduced-fat graham cracker pie crust
Directions
In a large bowl, using a wire whisk, combine milk and pudding until thickened. Whisk in peanut butter, vanilla, and 1 cup whipped topping. Stir in peanut butter cups.
Pour mixture into pie crust then spread remaining 1/2 cup whipped topping over pie. Cover and chill at least 4 hours before serving.
Notes
Instead of using store-bought graham cracker crust, you can make your own diabetes-friendly Graham Cracker Crust!
PEANUT BUTTER SHEET CAKE
This is from Baking at Home. Prep Time: 20 minute; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Yield: 24
To view this online, go to https://bakingathome.com/recipe/peanut-butter-sheet-cake/.
Ingredients
Cake
2 C. all-purpose flour
2 C. granulated sugar
1 tsp. Clabber Girl® Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. coarse salt
1 C. water
1/2 C. unsalted butter
1/2 C. Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening
1/2 C. peanut butter
2 eggs
1/2 C. buttermilk
1 tsp. Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract
Frosting
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
6 Tbsp. milk
1 lb. powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp. Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract
1 C. chopped peanuts
1/2 tsp. coarse salt (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 15x10x1-inch pan with Baker’s Joy® No-Stick Spray with Flour.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, soda and salt; set aside.
In a small saucepan, combine the water, butter and shortening and turn on medium heat.
Cook until the butter and shortening are melted and the mixture just starts to boil; remove from heat.
Stir in the peanut butter until smooth.
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla until blended. Pour into the peanut butter mixture and whisk until smooth.
Gently stir in the dry mixture until all the flour is incorporated.
Pour into prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cake springs back when touched or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
During the last 5-10 minutes of baking, prepare the frosting.
In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, peanut butter and milk.
Heat on medium heat until melted and smooth. Bring just to a boil and immediately remove from heat.
Add the powdered sugar, vanilla and peanuts and stir until you have a creamy frosting.
When the cake is done, pour the frosting over the warm cake and spread the frosting to the edges.
Sprinkle with coarse salt if desired.
Allow to cool before cutting.
This yumminess is from Chris Kimball and adapted by Kim Severson in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Kim wrote, "The key to these easy peanut butter cookies is using extra crunchy peanut butter, plus a full cup of roasted salted peanuts, resulting in a super crunchy and delightfully salty-sweet treat. This version of the childhood favorite was developed by the gang at America's Test Kitchen and originally published in Cook's Illustrated magazine back in 1998. We brought it to The Times when we profiled Christopher Kimball, then the grand poobah of America's Test Kitchen, in 2009."
Total Time: 35 minutes; Yield: 4 dozen cookies
To view this yumminess online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012666-peanut-butter-cookies. While you're at it, if you haven't already signed up for The New York Times cooking enewsletter, now would be a good time to do so. Great recipes, guides, and more. Go ahead, I'll wait. (Tap, tap, tap.)
Ingredients
2-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup roasted salted peanuts
1/2 pound (2 sticks) salted butter
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup extra-crunchy peanut butter
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Preparation
Adjust oven rack to low center position. Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Place peanuts in a food processor and pulse until the texture of bread crumbs. Set aside.
In bowl of electric mixer or by hand, beat butter until creamy. Add sugars and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping sides as necessary. Then beat in crunchy peanut butter until fully incorporated, followed by eggs and vanilla. Gently stir dry ingredients into peanut butter mixture. Fold in ground peanuts just until incorporated.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop dough onto sheet in spoonfuls a little bigger than a golf ball, about two inches apart. Dip a fork in cold water and then press the back into dough, repeating to make a crisscross.
Bake until cookies are puffed and slightly brown along edges, but not top, 11 to 12 minutes. They will not look completely baked. Cool cookies on cookie sheet until set, about 3 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.
Tip
Cookies will keep, refrigerated in an airtight container, up to 7 days.
PEANUT BUTTER PIE
I’d driven cab for several years. One Friday afternoon, I got a call to pick up a single dad from the store. When I dropped him off, his son and daughter came out of the trailer to help bring in the groceries.
“Did you remember to get the stuff for the peanut butter pie?” his daughter asked. They were taking it to an early Thanksgiving gathering that weekend.
“Sure did,” he answered.
“Peanut butter pie?” I asked, as we finished unloading the groceries. “How do you make that?”
“With peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, and a few other things,” came the answer.
The following week, I managed to pick the dad up again. This time, I managed to get the ingredients: pie crust, peanut butter, confectioner’s sugar, cream cheese and Cool Whip. It wasn’t until the third (and final) time I picked him up in as many weeks that I got the exact amounts. He used 1/3 cup each of peanut butter and sugar, both of which I upped to 1/2 cup each.
This is in my e-cookbook, Off The Wall Cooking.

Ingredients
8-ounce tub of Cool Whip (see note)
8-ounce block of cream cheese (see note)
1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth is preferable)
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
Pie crust (see note)
Directions
Put Cool Whip, cream cheese, peanut butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. With beaters, beat on high. Pour into pie crust, smooth out, and freeze for 1 hour.
Note: Cool whip (or store equivalent) can be fat-free. Cream cheese can be regular cream cheese or the 1/3 less fat kind, but do not use fat free, as the pie won't set up right. I usually use a store-bought graham cracker crust for the pie, which is what the man used to make this. However, you can also use an Oreo cookie crust.
GRANDMA'S PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
This was one of my grandmother's recipes. You can find them in my e-cookbook, Off The Wall Cooking.


Ingredients
1/2 C butter
1/2 C peanut butter
1/2 C sugar
1 egg, well beaten
1-1/4 C flour
3/4 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Directions
Cream butter & peanut butter together. Add sugar gradually & cream thoroughly. Add egg. Sift flour once before measuring. Sift flour, soda, baking powder & salt together & add to creamed mixture. Chill dough well, then form into balls the size of walnuts. Place balls on lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten with fork dipped in flour, making criss-cross pattern. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
CHOCOLATE AND PEANUT BUTTER BARS WITH BRULEED MARSHMALLOW
This is from Michael Symon at the Food Network. For this yumminess, Michael wrote, "Rich chocolate melds perfectly with creamy peanut butter, creating an ideal pairing of flavors from the very first bite. The toasted marshmallow on top adds a delightful twist and introduces a hint of smokiness and a gooey texture. The blend of sweet and savory, crunchy and soft makes these bars an irresistible treat that I can't get enough of."
Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes; Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Level: Intermediate
To view this yumminess online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-symon/chocolate-and-peanut-butter-bars-with-bruleed-marshmallow-18267741.
Ingredients
18 graham crackers (2 sleeves of crackers; about 2 cups of crumbs or 10 ounces)
1-1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Pinch kosher salt
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, melted
1-1/4 cups creamy peanut butter (I prefer Jif or Skippy brands for this)
1-1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
2 cups marshmallow crème
Special equipment: a kitchen torch
Directions
Line an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with plastic wrap, leaving excess to hang over the sides.
Place the graham crackers in a food processor and pulse until finely ground, then add the confectioners’ sugar and salt and give it a few more pulses. Add the melted butter and 1 cup of the peanut butter. Pulse until incorporated, then pour the mixture into the baking dish and pat the crust into an even layer.
Melt the chocolate chips over a double boiler, stirring frequently until smooth, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter. Pour the chocolate over the crust and sprinkle with flaky sea salt, then place in the refrigerator to set for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
Once set, lift the bars out of the baking dish using the overhanging plastic wrap. Remove the plastic and place the bars on a cutting board and cut into squares. Dollop marshmallow creme over each square. Use a kitchen torch to brown the marshmallow creme right before serving.
DECADENT PEANUT BUTTER PUDDING PIE
This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "You don't have to ignore your sweet tooth when it's telling you to eat something rich and creamy. Our Decadent Peanut Butter Pudding Pie uses lighter ingredients, but has so much flavor you'd never even know!"
Chill Time: 4 hours; Serves: 10; Serving Size: 1 slice
To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Pie/Decadent-Peanut-Butter-Pudding-Pie.
Ingredients
1-1/2 cup fat-free (skim) milk
1 (4-serving) package sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
1/3 cup reduced-fat peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cup frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed and divided
1 (1.5-ounce) package peanut butter cups, chopped
1 (9-inch) reduced-fat graham cracker pie crust
Directions
In a large bowl, using a wire whisk, combine milk and pudding until thickened. Whisk in peanut butter, vanilla, and 1 cup whipped topping. Stir in peanut butter cups.
Pour mixture into pie crust then spread remaining 1/2 cup whipped topping over pie. Cover and chill at least 4 hours before serving.
Notes
Instead of using store-bought graham cracker crust, you can make your own diabetes-friendly Graham Cracker Crust!
PEANUT BUTTER SHEET CAKE
This is from Baking at Home. Prep Time: 20 minute; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Yield: 24
To view this online, go to https://bakingathome.com/recipe/peanut-butter-sheet-cake/.
Ingredients
Cake
2 C. all-purpose flour
2 C. granulated sugar
1 tsp. Clabber Girl® Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. coarse salt
1 C. water
1/2 C. unsalted butter
1/2 C. Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening
1/2 C. peanut butter
2 eggs
1/2 C. buttermilk
1 tsp. Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract
Frosting
6 Tbsp. unsalted butter
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
6 Tbsp. milk
1 lb. powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp. Spice Islands® Pure Vanilla Extract
1 C. chopped peanuts
1/2 tsp. coarse salt (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 15x10x1-inch pan with Baker’s Joy® No-Stick Spray with Flour.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, soda and salt; set aside.
In a small saucepan, combine the water, butter and shortening and turn on medium heat.
Cook until the butter and shortening are melted and the mixture just starts to boil; remove from heat.
Stir in the peanut butter until smooth.
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla until blended. Pour into the peanut butter mixture and whisk until smooth.
Gently stir in the dry mixture until all the flour is incorporated.
Pour into prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cake springs back when touched or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
During the last 5-10 minutes of baking, prepare the frosting.
In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, peanut butter and milk.
Heat on medium heat until melted and smooth. Bring just to a boil and immediately remove from heat.
Add the powdered sugar, vanilla and peanuts and stir until you have a creamy frosting.
When the cake is done, pour the frosting over the warm cake and spread the frosting to the edges.
Sprinkle with coarse salt if desired.
Allow to cool before cutting.
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