Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Cookies are a recipe I've been making for years now. That is, ever since I discovered Trader Joe's brand peanut butter. I've always been partial to sweetened peanut butters like Jif or Skippy, but the unsweetened Trader Joe's has so much peanut butter flavor I never miss the sugar.
Jump to Recipe
Trader Joe's Peanut Butter Cookies
Trader Joe's brand peanut butter works really well in peanut butter cookie recipes because you can control the sugar levels. More sugar usually means more spreading, so in this case I think the sugar that's missing from the peanut butter helps keeps the cookies nice and thick. In addition, less sugar means more peanut flavor. And finally, since the base dough isn't quite as sweet, it makes a nice contrast to chunks of white chocolate, which are definitely sweet and which happen to go really well with peanut butter.
Here's the recipe I use to make these thick and chewy peanut butter cookies. White and chocolate chunks are actually optional, but they do make peanut butter cookies more interesting. Also, there are so many different types of white chocolate you can use for the chunks. While it's not exactly fancy, Baker's White Chocolate works really well and tastes great.
Recipe
Peanut Butter White and Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (250 grams)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 stick unsalted butter, softened (114 grams)
- ½ cup unsweetened peanut butter (140 grams)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
- ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar (pack tightly or weigh) (170 grams)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large large eggs
- 6 ounces dark chocolate, cut into chunks
- 3 ounces white chocolate, cut into chunks
- ⅔ cup lightly salted roasted peanuts
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the butter, peanut butter and both sugars until creamy. Beat in the vanilla and the eggs.
- Add flour mixture and stir to make a soft dough. Stir in the dark and white chunks, then stir in the peanuts.
- Divide dough into 20 balls and arrange on a parchment or foil lined plate. Chill for an hour, then bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until cookies appear set. Let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then carefully remove and let cool completely
Anna says
No, but I'd love to! Looks like it's one of the Smucker's brands, but it's not sold in our area. I posted this a while back. I still love Trader Joe's peanut butter, but Wegmans also sells a good one. But the best of all so far is Teddie. I keep spelling it with a "y". Check out their web page.
Cindy D says
Have you ever tried Adam Peanut Butter? I think it's Jif's natural brand. Curious how it would compare to Trader Joe's - no TJ anywhere near Walla Walla!
Anna says
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for the comment! I'm really happy you liked the One Bowl Criss Cross because those are one of my old favorites. I'd say the difference between these cookies and the One Bowls are that the One Bowls are a little crumblier, while these are darker, thicker and maybe a little softer. But they are both good. Thanks again for the comment and for the feedback on the cookies.
Kathleen says
These look good. But I have to admit that I saw your link for the one bowl peanut butter criss cross cookies and tried those first. They were delicious. So many great recipes here.
Anna says
Hi Bob,
I think the key is "unsweetened". I use the mainstream natural peanut butters (like Jif natural), but they call themselves natural because of the way the peanuts and oil are blended. They still have sugar. For these cookies, I'd recommend a peanut butter that's made of peanuts, salt and oil (not sugar). I've only tested with Trader Joe's, but I know there are a lot of no added sugar peanut butters out there. And you can still use products like Jif Natural or Skippy Natural or regular peanut butter, but the cookies might not be as thick.
Bob says
Anna - so am I interpreting this right? A natural peanut butter will work for these cookies?
Thanks!
Julie @ HostessAtHeart says
These look delicious! Chocolate...Peanut Butter...What's not to love?