Mrs. Fields & iVillage 30th Anniversary Cookie Contest (682 photos)

Peanut Butter Perfections

1 1/4 C all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 C unsalted butter softened
4 oz. cream cheese softened
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C granulated sugar
1/2 C peanut butter chips melted with 1tsp shortening
1/2 C creamy peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 large egg
3/4 C dry roasted salted peanuts ground until almost a paste
8 Tbsp unsalted butter softened
1 1/2 C creamy peanut butter
1 C peanut butter chips melted with 2 tsp shortening
1 tsp vanilla
1 C powdered sugar sifted
crushed Reese's Pieces or nuts for topping (optional)

In medium bowl combine flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Using a mixer on medium speed, cream butter and sugars until smooth about 5 min. Turn mixer to low and add cream cheese and melted peanut butter chips. Add egg and vanilla and mix until fully incorporated. Slowly add the flour mixture, once combined mix in ground peanuts. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Using 1 Tbsp of dough at a time, roll them into balls and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet, chill for 10 minutes. Just before baking, flatten each ball with the palm of your hand or using the tongs of a fork. Bake for 15-17 minutes. When done transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting them. Makes about 4 dozen cookies. To make the frosting use a mixer or spoon and mix the butter and peanut butter together until fully incorporated. Stir in the melted peanut butter chips and vanilla. Slowly add the powdered sugar until mixture is smooth and creamy. Makes enough for a generous Tbsp per cookie.

This recipe was created out of a passion for PB and a challenge from my husband (my toughest critic) who challenged me to come up with the ultimate PB cookie. It had to be soft, not crumbly like normal PB cookies, and be packed with tons of PB flavor. More importantly, it had to be frosted. I accepted the challenge. After many variations of dough and frosting recipes and LOTS of taste tests, I had found the clear winner. A soft, moist, perfectly peanut buttery cookie, and my husband agreed.