Super Nutty Peanut Butter Cookies

I've ended my quest for the perfect peanut butter cookie ... these are by far, the most delicious cookie ever to come out of my kitchen. Crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle.....mmmmm. Even better with a glass of cold milk!

Super Nutty Peanut Butter Cookies

Source: Cooks Illustrated.com

Makes 3 Dozen

2 1/2 c. flour

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

2 sticks butter, salted

1 c. dark brown sugar

1 c. granulated sugar

1 c. extra crunch peanut butter, preferably Jif

2 large eggs

2 t. vanilla

1 c. roasted salted peanuts, ground in food processor to resemble bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350 and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

In bowl of electric mixer, beat butter until creamy. Add sugars; beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes, stopping to scrape down bowl as necessary. Beat in peanut butter until fully incorporated, then eggs, one at a time, then vanilla. Gently stir dry ingredients into peanut butter mixture. Add ground peanuts; stir gently until incorporated.

Working with 2 tablespoons of dough at a time, roll into large balls, placing them 2" apart on prepared baking sheets. Press each dough ball with back of dinner fork dipped into cold water and make a criss cross pattern. Bake until cookies are puffed and slightly brown along the edges, 12 minutes (they will not look fully baked). Cool cookies on cookie sheet until set, about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.