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To make Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies, you need a few key items. Here’s the list: - 1 cup creamy peanut butter - 1/2 cup granulated sugar - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips - 1/4 cup white chocolate chips - Black edible marker or melted dark chocolate These ingredients bring rich flavor and fun to each cookie. The creamy peanut butter gives them a smooth texture. The mix of sugars adds sweetness, while the chocolate chips give a lovely surprise in every bite. You can make your cookies even cuter with some fun toppings. Here are some ideas: - Use melted white chocolate for the penguin bellies. - Draw eyes with a black edible marker or melted dark chocolate. - Add sprinkles for extra color and fun. These decorations make your cookies look like little penguins. They are perfect for parties or a winter treat. Measuring ingredients correctly is key to great cookies. Here are some tips: - Use dry measuring cups for sugar and flour. - Scoop peanut butter into the cup and level it off. - Use a liquid measuring cup for the egg and vanilla. Accurate measuring leads to the best results. You’ll enjoy soft, tasty cookies every time! {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will help prevent the cookies from sticking. Make sure the paper covers the entire sheet for best results. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup of packed brown sugar. Use a mixer or a sturdy spatula to mix until smooth. This should take about 1-2 minutes. Next, add 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat these in until fully mixed. Now, sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir gently until just combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough. Finally, fold in 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips for that extra chocolatey goodness. Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, drop rounded mounds of dough onto your baking sheet. Space each mound about 2 inches apart. This gives the cookies room to spread while baking. With the back of a fork, gently flatten each mound in a crisscross pattern. This adds a nice touch to the cookies. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be golden, and the centers may look soft. Allow them to cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once the cookies are cool, melt 1/4 cup of white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring in between. This helps achieve a smooth consistency. Use the melted chocolate to drizzle or spread on the bottom part of each cookie. This creates the penguin "bellies." After the white chocolate has set, grab your black edible marker or melted dark chocolate. Carefully draw small dots for the penguin eyes and add any other details you like. Your Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies are now ready to impress! To get soft cookies, avoid overmixing. When you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. This keeps the dough light. Also, do not bake them too long. The edges should be golden, but the center can look soft. Let them cool on the sheet before moving them. This helps them set without drying out. Many home cooks overbake their cookies. This makes them hard instead of soft. Another mistake is not measuring the ingredients correctly. Use measuring cups and spoons for accuracy. It’s also easy to forget to add the baking soda or salt. These are key for the right texture and taste. Lastly, don't skip cooling time. It helps the cookies firm up and taste better. Having the right tools can make cookie-making fun. A good mixing bowl is a must. A hand mixer makes blending easy. Use a cookie scoop for even dough mounds. This helps each cookie bake at the same rate. Baking sheets lined with parchment paper prevent sticking. A wire rack is great for cooling cookies evenly. These tools save time and effort. Pro Tips Chill the Dough: For an even firmer cookie, chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps them maintain their shape and prevents excessive spreading. Use Quality Chocolate: Opt for high-quality chocolate chips, as they melt better and provide a richer flavor. This can elevate the overall taste of your cookies. Experiment with Add-ins: Feel free to add other mix-ins such as chopped nuts, dried fruit, or even coconut flakes for added texture and flavor variety. Store Properly: Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage; just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper. {{image_4}} You can add a fun twist to your penguin cookies by using mint. Just add 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the dough. This gives your cookies a fresh and cool taste. Mint pairs well with chocolate, so keep the mini chocolate chips. You can even add green food coloring to make them festive! While penguin shapes are cute, you can get creative! Use cookie cutters to make stars, hearts, or other fun shapes. You can also roll the dough into balls and press them flat for a more classic cookie look. After baking, decorate them as you like with chocolate or sprinkles. You can still enjoy these cookies if you're gluten-free or vegan. For gluten-free cookies, swap out regular flour for almond or oat flour. For vegan cookies, replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water). This keeps the cookies moist and tasty. To keep your peanut butter penguin cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This will help prevent them from drying out. Layer the cookies with parchment paper to avoid sticking. They stay fresh for about one week at room temperature. If you want them to last longer, refrigeration works too. Just make sure to seal them well. Freezing cookies is a great option for long-term storage. First, let the cookies cool completely. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour until firm. After that, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you're ready to enjoy them, simply thaw at room temperature. If your cookies lose their soft texture, you can easily revive them. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cookies on a baking sheet and warm them for about five minutes. This will make them soft and delicious again. You can also use a microwave. Heat them for about 10 seconds, but watch closely to avoid overheating. Enjoy your fresh-tasting penguin cookies! Yes, you can use crunchy peanut butter. It will add a nice texture to the cookies. The flavor remains the same, but the bites will feel different. If you love crunch, go for it! To make cookies firmer, add a touch more flour or reduce the baking time. If you want softer cookies, use less flour or bake them for a shorter time. Keeping an eye on them as they bake helps a lot. If you don’t have white chocolate, consider using milk chocolate or dark chocolate. You can also use yogurt-covered raisins as a fun and tasty twist. All options will still taste great! These cookies can last up to one week in an airtight container. If you want them to last longer, freeze them. They stay good for about three months in the freezer. Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies are fun and tasty. We explored key ingredients, measuring tips, and topping ideas to make your baking a breeze. I shared step-by-step instructions for mixing, shaping, and decorating these delightful cookies. Remember the tips for soft cookies and the various ways to adapt your recipe. Storing these treats properly keeps them fresh longer. With this guide, you can bake, enjoy, and share these cute cookies without hassle. Now, it’s time to get into the kitchen and create your own batch!

Peanut Butter Penguin Cookies

Delicious peanut butter cookies decorated to look like penguins.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 100 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1 item black edible marker or melted dark chocolate

Instructions
 

  • Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar. Use a mixer or a sturdy spatula to mix well until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
  • Add the egg and vanilla extract to the bowl. Beat these ingredients in until they are fully incorporated into the peanut butter mixture.
  • Carefully sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture, and stir until the dry ingredients are just combined with the wet ingredients. Avoid overmixing.
  • Fold in the mini chocolate chips with a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  • Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, drop rounded mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each mound about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
  • With the back of a fork, gently flatten each mound in a crisscross pattern to give them character.
  • Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be set and golden, while the centers may look slightly soft.
  • Once baked, take the cookies out of the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This helps them firm up before transferring them. Then, move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • After the cookies are completely cool, melt the white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl by heating in 20-second intervals. Stir between intervals until the white chocolate is smooth and fully melted. Use this to drizzle or spread on the bottom part of each cookie to create the penguin 'bellies.'
  • When the white chocolate has set, grab your black edible marker or melted dark chocolate and carefully draw small dots for the penguin eyes, plus any additional details you wish to add.

Notes

For a delightful display, arrange the penguin cookies on a festive platter. To enhance the wintery theme, consider using a 'snowy' backdrop with powdered sugar or shredded coconut scattered around the cookies to evoke a snowy setting!
Keyword cookies, dessert, holiday, peanut butter