I had a mad craving for peanut butter and Nutella this weekend. Hoping to satisfy it with a quick fix, I dipped a spoon into a jar of peanut butter, then followed suit with the Nutella jar. It tasted great, of course, but I wanted something more. I wanted them together in a baked good. I considered a thick, chewy bar; a moist, rich cake; another puff pastry treat (Nutella Orange Marmalade Palmiers here) and even another tart (but it’s hard to beat this Nutella tart from Pierre Hermé). Ultimately, I chose to tackle cookies again. I’ve mentioned here that I’m not the most comfortable baking cookies–I would always rather bake a cake or a tart–but I was feeling up to a challenge yesterday so cookies it was.
My first challenge was to find a recipe that sounded promising. I found quite a few for cookies with Nutella swirled into them but those that I found appealing required ingredients that I didn’t have available (Oats, who runs out of Quaker oats? Crunchy peanut butter; we use creamy exclusively). Determined to have cookies by the end of the day, I finally just decided to wing it using an old peanut butter cookie recipe, adjusting the ingredients and measurements to account for the addition of Nutella.
This is the part about baking that makes me nervous–even though I’ve been reading BakeWise to help me better understand the science of baking, I still haven’t put into practice the little I’ve learned so far. I’m hoping that one of these days, Ms. Corriher’s formula for finding the right balance between flour, sugar, fat and eggs will become less foreign to me. Until then, there is always an element of uncertainty whenever I improvise with baked goods, especially cookies.
Fortunately, I must have picked up a tip or two from the book because these peanut butter Nutella cookies were terrific. I couldn’t have been more pleased with the results. I am partial to chewy cookies and these were just right. Under-baking them helped a lot though I will admit that I second-guessed myself as I pulled the first batch out of the oven.
As far as taste, I wasn’t sure either about mixing the Nutella directly with the rest of the ingredients. Typically, the Nutella component remains separate and as I mentioned before, is usually swirled into a batter or used as a filling or topping. I also used proportionately more peanut butter, the former is more pronounced in these cookies but there is no mistaking the presence of Nutella either. The peanut butter flavor leads the way followed by a subtle chocolate-hazelnut finish. I cut back on brown sugar here and I think that helped to bring out the best of the two main ingredients.
I was sorry not to have baked these cookies the day before; I’m actually quite proud of them and would have loved to show up to our friends’ party with them. And coming from this [former?] cookie novice, that’s saying a lot. Try these. Soon.
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Le Creuset Pairings Contest – Would you Vote for me on Pinterest?
Before I get to the recipe, I’d like to share with you the little project I’ve been alluding to the last few posts. The Le Creuset company invited me to participate in their pairings contest. The campaign brings together Marseille, the latest color for their enameled cast iron line of cookware and their new stainless steel product line. The 14 contestants were asked to photograph the Le Creuset products (my submission above), bringing them together like some of the more classic pairings in the kitchen that we’re all familiar with (bacon and eggs, meat and potatoes, etc).
With Marseille being the new color, I decided to create a theme celebrating its namesake French city that sits on the Mediterranean coast. With a bistro setting in mind I opted for a classic pairing that is often seen in seaside menus: mussels and fries.
It may sound silly but I already feel like a winner for being asked to participate in this contest. However, if I really do win, I get to give away an identical cookware set to one of my readers! I would love for one of you to be able to win the dutch oven and stainless steel pans here.
Update: Contest is closed. Thanks so much for your votes!!!
This is a Pinterest-based contest and will run for a month. All you would have to do is “like” the original pin of my photo on Pinterest. Please click on this link to “like” my picture or http://pinterest.com/pin/59039445085304640/
That’s it! Yes, the competition is tough so I would appreciate your support so much! Thank you!
(If you visit Le Creuset’s Pairings site, you can also be eligible to win one of their weekly prizes. Check it out here.)
Oh, and I will have a giveaway for you on Thursday–stay tuned for that, too!
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup firmly-packed dark brown sugar
- ¾ cup (scant) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (I use Adam's Organic Creamy PB)
- ½ cup Nutella
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the melted butter, sugars, peanut butter, Nutella, egg and vanilla extract in a large bowl until well blended.
- Sift the rest of the dry ingredients in another bowl and carefully add to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed just until combined. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 1½ - 2 hours.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (see my notes about oven temps below). Grease two baking sheets or line each one with Silpat. With damp hands, shape the dough into roughly two-inch balls then flatten them on your palm slightly (like you would a hamburger patty). I used an ice cream scoop to make measuring easier. The dough will seem dry and crumbly right out of the refrigerator but the heat of your hands will make it easier to form the balls. Squeeze and roll around your palms to bring the ball together before flattening.
- Place the disks two inches apart on the baking sheets (you can lightly press the dough with the tines of a fork but these cookies do puff up nicely and are not as obvious when baked) and bake for 12-15 minutes. I would err on the earlier side with these cookies. When you pull them out of the oven they will seem too soft. Use a spatula to transfer them to a wire rack. Cool to room temperature before serving.
Oh Jean, I really don’t think you need to fear cookies any longer. You just put peanut butter & Nutlella in the same cookie – how delicious is that?! I wish I had one of these cookies for a late night snack!. Love your neon straws & polka dots too.
Thanks, Laura! I always have straws around for when my nephews and nieces visit and the scrap fabric was part of a stack I bought last year. Slowly but surely finding use for them. 🙂
I’m glad you like the cookies–I was (surprisingly) quite happy with them, too. 🙂
Thank you so much for your support on the LC contest!
Jean – I have not used Nuetella that often but with these cookies I think I need to get baking with this delightful spread. Love the photos and the styling. That must be the bead board that you picked up – it is super cute. My fingers are crossed that you win the photo contest!!!!
Hi, Lisa. Just say when and we’ll have a board shopping and painting day! 🙂 Yes, this is the bead board I bought at Home Depot. It was a 4′ x 8′ sheet that I had cut in half. A little big for normal posts but it came in handy for the Le Creuset project. I want to buy another to paint and I’ve got just the color to use! Glad you like it! 🙂
Thank you so much for your support on the contest–it’s a long shot but you and everyone else are awesome for getting me the votes, thank you! 🙂
Liked your pin! Good luck 🙂
Thanks so much, Abby!
These look delicious! The pictures are beautiful, as always! And of course, I repinned and liked your picture! GOOD LUCK!
First, I liked your picture on pinterist, good luck! Second, these cookies sound delicious! I wonder if I finished off my jar of nutella…
Did I tell you how much I love your photography? :)) You know I do..those cookies look like they are calling my name…wonderful post, presentation and wonderful recipe..good luck on the pinterest!!!!!
I am crazy for giveaways!!!! If you do win (i’m supporting you all the way!), I hope I can win Le Creuset pots, too!!!!!!!!!!! I’m planning to buy a Dutch oven when I receive my tax returns in June, hopefully. But winning a set would be awesome, too! Can’t have one too many of these gorgeous pots!!!!
P.S. By the way, the reason I want to switch to Le Creuset everything because I read that even stainless steel pots and pans leech metals, which is bad for health. I can’t afford Surgical steel pots, so Le Creuset it is! Plus they are French and I love their looks!
PBN? Instant hit with the kids! I just want to reach out into my screen to have a piece!!!! It looks so yummy I wanna cry! I want one (or two)!
Love these cookies, Jean! Then again, I love anything made with Nutella, so I guess it’s not exactly a surprise. 🙂 I have a couple of big jars of Nutella sitting in my pantry from my last Costco trip just begging to be opened, so I have a feeling a batch of these cookies might just get made sooner rather than later.
PS – Lucky you, to get to participate in such a cool contest! I’d feel like a winner already too… I’m a total Le Creuset fangirl. 🙂
I’ve seen Nutella or PB cookies but not combined in one. It’s perfect for a day like you can’t choose which one to eat. =D Good luck with the contest – I hope you will win!!! The photo looks beautiful. Crossing fingers!
These cookies are amazing! All my favorite things in a cookie! Good luck on the contest, you have my vote!
I have 3 Nutella fans at home. They’ve been consuming our jars too fast these past weeks. But do you know that peanut butter doesn’t exist in Italy and not everyone knows about it? I was shocked when I moved here. I am a big lover of peanut butter! I sometimes get a bottle at the international shop. Love your cookies and maybe I can introduce them to my Nutella addicts at home and make them taste peanut butter. Good luck on the contest Jean. Your picture is fantastic!
Oh man, those cookies look aMAzing. I;m dying a little just staring at my screen!
Delicious cookies! And congrats on the contest! I just liked the pin!
Congrats on the invite to participate in this contest! Liked! and Pinned, just because the photo looks so beautiful. I have a Le Creuset already, but mine is yellow, but I could always use a blue one and some new pots/pans. 🙂 Good luck, Jean! p.s. – Cookies are my kind of combo but the baby is allergic to nuts so I’ve stopped baking with them. Boo!
Will I be thrown off this country if I say I somehow do not enjoy peanut butter !! But Nutella is my fav and I love adding that as a spread .. in my baking at times just straight out of the bottle.
And yes, I liked yours in Pinterest too! Hope you win :))
I tried… I really, really tried to stay away from this post. I pinned it without reading it, but it just keeps coming back to me. LOVE, LOVE Love!!!
Frankly I’m glad I read it as I’m happy to hear about the contest with Le Curset… Fingers crossed that you will win!
What a wonderful project and collaboration with Le Creuset Jean. The cookies look lovely and I am famished I don;t recall ever talking so much food this early, ongoing from 5:30am this am. 🙂
i’m speechless. I’m drooling. I’m rushing to the store to buy Nutella.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the sound of these cookies. Peanut butter and Nutella is probably the ultimate combo. It can’t get better than this.
I have to make these cookies. I just have to!
Fingers crossed you win the contest. Your photos are absolutely stunning!
I love your photo layout! And I will be trying that recipe…
Liked – actually LOVE! I don’t know how you can’t win – you’ve captured the flavor of Marseille and the Mediterranean so beautifully.
I liked on pinterest. These look awesome!
I liked your photo on PInterest! I really do love your arrangement and the coastal feel.
PB and Nutella are two of my favorite things in the world. But never thought of pairing them. I need to make these cookies very soon. Love your photos too.
P.S. I cast my vote for you and I hope you win, you deserve to:)
Love your photo for Le Creuset and my fingers are crossed for you!:)Oh my goodness…need these fabulous cookies in my life right at this moment. I have avoided Nutella for almost 2 mths (who’s counting the days?;).
These sound so good. I was going to make some oatmeal cookies today, maybe I’ll try and work this batch into my oatmeal. Wonder how that would taste. Or maybe I’ll just make yours.
Thank you for sharing this.
Gah! I had such a hard time forming these cookies. Far too crumbly and way too much work to get the dough to not stick to my hands. I made six beautiful ones before I gave up. I couldn’t throw out the dough though, so I put it in a pan, pressed it and made one giant cookie. I think letting it sit out at room temp for a bit would help? Not sure, but I have never had so much trouble! Good taste though.
Alex, I had the same trouble at first. The dough stuck to my fingers but I moistened my palms with water and pressed the dough tightly while rolling in my hands and they came together that way. Glad you tried them, though, and that you made one big cookie instead. 🙂
Hi..jean.. Thx for the recipe..:)
I just wondering why my cookies turn so crunchy? Its supposed to be crunchy or soft cookies?
If its supposed to be soft cookies,do u know why mine become so crunchy?
Thx jean..^_^
Hi, Yuli. Thanks for your comment. These cookies are supposed to be chewy so I’m wondering why yours turned out crisp. I know people have tried this recipe but this is the first I’m hearing of a different outcome than I got. Will have to check around and get back to you. 🙂
These are amazing. Simply perfect.
The cookies look and sound wonderful. I printed out the recipe already and will be making them tomorrow with my cookie baking daughter. Hopefully we will get to eat some before the grandsons and my husband get to them all! Good luck in the contest. Beautiful picture for the contest. I looked at other pic entries and yours is right up top of them.
Made these Sat. delicious Lady!. Thanks.