Hershey’s kiss cookies are one of those rare varieties of cookies that I avoided during the holidays growing up. I didn’t like the options those cookies presented to my mouth: a.) Get stabbed in the roof of the mouth by a pointy, chocolate spear. b.) Smash chocolate into gums and gap between front teeth while trying to bite down through an inch of cold chocolate. c.) Cram entire giant cookie into face while trying not to be noticed as drool escapes from corners of mouth. d.) Gnaw cookie in half using back teeth, again while trying not to be noticed.
Anybody feel me?
Well recently my step mother was making these cookies, and as I was polishing off a dozen or so of them (using options c and d – I was alone) a thought occurred to me: Why not make these cookies with a chocolate that I actually LIKE? And just like that, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Drops were born. I’ve made only mild adjustments to the original recipe. I subbed out a bit of oil for applesauce and I use whole wheat rather than AP flour. Rather than shortening I use coconut oil, though I’m sure Earth Balance would work well, or even canola oil. I also took out the egg. I figure people who use eggs will us an egg and people who don’t will appreciate the substitution.
Now on with the recipe!
Dark chocolate peanut butter drops
INGREDIENTS Makes about 3 dozen cookies
100g dark chocolate discs/slabs/drops*
1/4 cup applesauce
1/4 cup coconut oil (softened)
3/4 cup natural peanut butter
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1 flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water)
2 Tbsp water
1 tsp vanilla extract
1.5 cups whole wheat pastry flour or unbleached white flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
METHOD
- Heat oven to 375 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Beat applesauce, coconut oil and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add flax egg, water and vanilla; beat well.
- In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.
- Shape dough into 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheet. (In this case, smaller balls are better than bigger balls!)
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned.
- Immediately press a chocolate into the center of each cookie.
- Allow to cool completely before storing, these freeze really well.
* The chocolate pastilles I use come from Anatol in Montreal. It’s the kind of chocolate you would use for fondu or baking. It’s 70% cocoa mass and it’s the business. If you don’t have access to this, go with any other dark chocolate drop or chocolate bar. When I was planning these cookies in my mind I was going to use Lindt chocolate bars and just slap a chunk on the top of each cookie. Then you could get creative with flavours – salty, spicy, caramel-y…the list goes on. If you make some, send me a photo!
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