Soft & Fluffy Peanut Butter Cookies

Good ol' PB. If I could only eat one food for the rest of my life I'd choose peanut butter.

It is my ultimate comfort food and I love it on just about anything or simply straight out of the jar. I have no shame! If you're a fellow peanut butter fan then these cookies are just for you. I hope they bring you some happiness in this time of uncertainty and change. Creating and eating them definitely warmed my heart.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 cup vegan butter

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (I would have used half brown sugar here, but quarantine has left me with none)

• 2 flax eggs

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter, no added sugar

• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 2 cups quick cooking steel cut oats. (You can definitely use old-fashioned whole rolled oats but once again, thanks to quarantine, I used what was on hand)

Instructions

1. Make the flax eggs and set aside for 10 minutes.

2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together and set aside.

3. In a large bowl using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until creamy.

4. Add the flax eggs, peanut butter, and vanilla and beat on high speed until combined.

5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until combined.

6. With the mixer running on low speed, add the oats. Dough will be thick and sticky. 

7. Not necessary but if you have time, cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator for about half an hour. You can chill it for even longer if needed just allow the dough to sit at room temperature for a bit before using as it will get quite hard.

8. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

9. Scoop balls of dough, roughly 2 tbsp in size and roll into a ball. Arrange the dough balls 3 inches apart on the baking sheet and slightly flatten down with your hand or a fork.

10. Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly browned on the sides, but the centers are still soft.

11. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.