The last time I made peanut butter cookies, I was less than impressed with the results. In fact, I got a little sassy and called the sorry flavorless cookies downright "wussy." (And I won't take it back!) So I was definitely ready to try a different peanut butter cookie recipe for this week's Tuesdays with Dorie recipe.
Plus, this time, I had a secret weapon!
Have you guys seen/tried peanut flour yet? I started reading about it on blogs this year, and then about a month ago my local Trader Joe's started carrying it. I immediately bought a bag, got it home, realized I didn't know WHAT to do with it, and stuck it in the back of the cupboard, where it languished until this past week. (One day I hope to be cured of my impulsive grocery-buying ways. Except not really.)
I'd read of people using it to flavor their smoothies and oatmeal--it packs a lot of protein and peanut flavor, with much less fat and calories than actual peanut butter. I hadn't read about people using it for baking, but someone's got to be the first, right?
Since I'd never baked with peanut flour before, I stayed conservative. I made a half batch, which called for 1.25 cups of flour, so I used 1 cup of AP and 1/4 cup of peanut flour. I also added teensy chocolate chips in addition to the chopped salted peanuts. I would have tried the cocoa powder variation, but I wanted to see how the batter worked with the peanut flour before adding any other variations to the mix.
Now of course, the problem with this experiment is that I didn't have a control group of cookies--ones baked without the peanut flour. (I never claimed to be a scientist!) So I can't really say how much the peanut flour changed the texture or flavor of these cookies. I can say that their texture didn't seem negatively affected at all--they were still soft in the middle with a crisp outside edge. 
The flavor, too, was good. They didn't hit you over the head with their peanutty-ness, which is either good or bad depending on your tastes. I would have expected maybe a stronger peanut flavor, but maybe I have dull taste buds, or maybe it would have been even fainter without the peanut flour. I am curious to try it again and substitute even more peanut flour and see what happens. I can also see it being awesome in brownies or chocolate cookies, to give them a bit of a Reese's taste.
Q: Any other peanut flour users here? What recipes should I use it in?
Chocolate Raspberry Truffles
10 years ago
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I have never heard of peanut flour. I would think it could go rancid rather quickly. Interesting experiment anyway. And I can relate to the impulsive grocery store buys. I am so guilty...but it's so much fun. Too bad we aren't neighbors so we could share our finds.
ReplyDeleteOK, I never heard of peanut flour before today, but I just saw it here: http://bakeologie.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteI think she used all peanut flour in her version.
I made these with plain old flour and liked them a lot. The chopped, salted peanuts were a great addition!
Hello my name is Rachel and I'm a compulsive grocery shopping-aholic. I have waaay too many types of flour in my pantry right now--but I've never had pb flour! Sounds exciting and your cookies look great!
ReplyDeleteI did the same thing you did! And I completely forgot to use my peanut flour in these cookies! I might try them next with a larger sub - maybe half AP flour and half peanut flour. I'll let you know how they turn out!
ReplyDeletewow - peanut flour!!! I'd love to try that!
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of peanut flour. I have trouble finding almond flour at my store so I doubt they would have peanut. Your cookies look really good.
ReplyDeletethat's funny-- in my post i asked if anyone had seen or tried this PB flour from TJs, which i recently noticed in the store. i've heard that people use it as a protein powder, but i wondered how it would be to bake with. looks like a success to me!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of it either, but my initial thought is that it can be used like any other nut flour. Could make for some fun experimenting. Mabye sub some in a tart crust and fill with a dark chocolate ganache to create a giant inside out peanut butter cup?? Oh, now I might have to go buy a bag to try that out!
ReplyDeleteI never seen peanut flour in the store but now I'm going to have to look for it!
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing when shopping. But I have never seen or heard of peanut flour! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteGlad it worked in the cookies. Can't wait to see you use it in other things!
I think partial peanut flour is probably the way to go because yours look great!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to boost the peanut flavor in these cookies! I had never heard of peanut flour before. I doubt I can find it in Montreal. Your cookies look great! Thanks for baking with me this week!
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of peanut flour--I don't get out much! But I do know this was one great cookie. I will make it often.
ReplyDeleteHehehe I do that while grocery shopping too. Looks like the experiment worked!
ReplyDelete