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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Cookies » Peppery Peanut Butter Cookies

    Peppery Peanut Butter Cookies

    Published: Dec 6, 2015 · Modified: Dec 28, 2020 by Barbara Curry · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    A plate of spicy peanut butter cookies on a platter with a glass of milk

    Homemade Peppery Peanut Butter Cookies will melt in your mouth but leave you with a spicy surprise. A little cayenne enhances this classic cookie recipe.

    A platter of peppery peanut butter cookies with a glass of milk
    Peppery Peanut Butter Cookies

    I was looking for a new cookie recipe to send back to school with Natalie to help her get through finals week.  She asked for something not too sweet. One of her favorite snacks when she lived at home were salt and pepper roasted peanuts.  We discovered them at Fresh Market and then for some reason, they stopped carrying them. Adding pepper to salty peanuts was such a great idea. So why not make a peppery peanut butter cookies!

    The recipe for Peppery Peanut Butter Cookies was adapted from a recipe in a new cookbook by Samantha Seneviratne called The New Sugar & Spice. The chapters are divided by seasoning and the first chapter is Peppercorn and Chili.  I bought the cookbook specifically to make the salt and pepper caramel brownies but haven’t had a chance to try them yet.

    Peppery Peanut Butter Cookies on plate

    These cookies are everyone’s new favorite.  You start with a traditional peanut butter cookie dough, I used Justin’s peanut butter, to make it a little healthier and less sweet.  Then add salted roasted peanuts and the secret ingredient, cayenne pepper.  Bite into these, and get a hint of pepper that lingers after you’ve finished the cookie.  Unusual but awesome.

    With most peanut butter cookies you can’t use natural peanut butter. I really like Justin’s peanut butter and as long as you mix it well before using, it works great in these cookies. I have used both natural and regular Jiff and both create delicious cookies.

    What you’ll need for homemade peanut butter cookies

    • Cayenne pepper – just a little bit goes a long way in these cookies
    • Peanut butter – natural or regular will both work for these cookies
    • Peanuts – salted and roasted for a great crunch
    Roasted and salted peanuts
    Roasted salted peanuts
    • Pantry staples – butter, brown sugar, regular sugar, flour, baking soda, vanilla and an egg,

    How do you make peanut butter cookies

    Step 1: Cream the butter and sugars and then add peanut butter, an egg and vanilla and mix until creamy.

    Step 2: Add the flour mixture including the cayenne pepper and mix until combined. Mix in salted roasted chopped peanuts.

    Peanuts being added to the dough for peanut butter coookies

    Step 3: Form into balls, I like to use a cookie scoop, and use a fork to make criss cross marks on the top of each cookie. Dip the fork in sugar to keep the dough from sticking.

    A baking sheet of cookies with a fork

    Step 4: Bake until golden brown.

    Baked peanut butter cookies on parchment

    These got a thumbs up from everyone which means I will be including them in my bags of cookie gifts this year.  I always try to find some unusual cookies to give to friends for Christmas and I think these will be perfect. Last year I made Cornmeal Lime Cookies and Cream Cheese Walnut Cookies, check them out if you’re looking for something different and don’t want to go the spicy route.

    Peppery Peanut Butter Cookies on plate

    Just a note you may need to put a warning on these, most people don’t expect a cookie to be spicy.

    FAQ’s and tips

    Can you use natural peanut butter

    Most peanut butter cookies need emulsified peanut butter, Jiff is my favorite, bu for these cookies you can use natural peanut butter, like Justin’s. Just make sure the peanut butter is mixed well.

    How can keep natural peanut butter from separating

    Try using a hand mixer with just one beater attached. Put it down in the jar of peanut butter, over a sink, just in case you get messy. Beat it on low until it is smooth, then store in the refrigerator.

    Why do peanut butter cookies have criss cross marks on top

    These don’t serve any purpose except to identify them as a peanut butter cookie. It’s just tradition,

    What’s the best way to add criss cross marks on a peanut butter cookie

    Dip a fork in sugar before making each criss cross in the dough. That will keep the dough from sticking to the fork.

    Does the dough need to be refrigerated

    You don’t have to refrigerate this dough, you can get instant satisfaction. If you need to refrigerate it for later, let it warm up before forming into balls.

    A plate of peppery peanut butter cookies
    Peppery Peanut Butter Cookies

    More peanut butter treats you’ll love

    • Double peanut butter cookies
    • Peanut butter sandwich cookies
    • Peanut butter Rice Krispie bars
    • Peanut butter brownies
    • Oatmeal peanut butter bars
    • Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies
    • No-bake peanut butter bars
    • Tiger Butter
    • Crunchy peanut butter cookies

    Adapted from The New Sugar & Spice

    A platter of peppery peanut butter cookies with a glass of milk

    Peppery Peanut Butter Cookies

    Author: Barbara Curry
    Homemade Peppery Peanut Butter Cookies will melt in your mouth but leave you with a spicy surprise. A little cayenne enhances this classic cookie recipe.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin
    PREP: 20 minutes
    COOK: 12 minutes
    Servings: 24

    Ingredients
     

    • ½ cup butter softened
    • ⅓ cup suar
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • ½ cup natural peanut butter
    • 1 egg room temp
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 ¼ cups flour
    • 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
    • ¾ teaspoon cayenne
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¾ cup roasted salted peanuts chopped
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350º. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
    • With an electric mixer, combine butter and sugar and mix until creamy. Add peanut butter, egg and vanilla and mix to combine.
    • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, cayenne and soda. Add to peanut butter mixture and mix on low until just combined. Stir in peanuts.
    • With an ice cream scoop, measure out 2 tablespoon balls and place on prepared sheets. Dip a fork into sugar and flatten tops using a crisscross pattern.
    • Bake for 12-14 minutes, until slightly browned on edges. Let cool on wire rack for 5 minutes before removing from cookie sheets.
    Barbara’s Tips + Notes

    Recipe tips

    • You can use natural or regular smooth peanut butter in this recipe, if using natural, make sure it is mixed well.
    • To keep the dough from sticking to the fork with making criss crosses, dip the fork in sugar.
    • You do not need to refrigerate this dough before baking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 226mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 154IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
    Follow Me On SocialDid you make this recipe? Mention @ButterandBaggage or tag #ButterandBaggage on Instagram!

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    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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