Mega Peanut Butter Cup Cookie


Warning: getimagesize(/home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/uploadshttps://justaboutbaked.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/XLPB5-e1432205924821.jpg): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/justab8/public_html/wp-content/themes/Total/framework/classes/image-resize.php on line 121
Mega Peanut Butter Cup Cookie

Big cookies are better than regular-sized cookies. But mega cookies are the BEST.

I can’t think of anything more tempting than a giant cookie. They always look so good in bakeries, like the antidote to a gloomy day or a sleepless night. Or both.

Back in high school, I had a bit of a dirty secret. You see, my parents never packed me lunch. I guess they trusted me to do it myself, just like they trusted me to change the sheets on my bed or do homework instead of watching reruns of Family Matters. Sorry, but I still think Urkel is kind of hilarious.

Mega Peanut Butter Cup Cookie

The problem is, I never had time to pack lunch, or the organizational skills required. I’d be rushing out the door and the thought of making a sandwich seemed really arduous. So instead, I usually relied on my best buddy to get me through: Little Debbie.

Mega Peanut Butter Cup Cookie

If you’ve never had a Little Debbie snack cake, your life is bleak. My lunches consisted of Swiss fudge rolls, oatmeal cream pies, nutty bars, and zebra cakes. The cafeteria line sold them for 50 cents, and back then it always seemed like a good idea to buy a snack cake along with a carton of milk and some pretzels and call it lunch. My grownup self is a little horrified and a little awed at my past self’s nutrition deficit.

What happened as a result of those four years is that I set a horrible precedent for lunch. Lunch became, to me, synonymous with eating dessert. In college, the tradition continued when I would stop at TCBY almost every day, despite a cashier who kept hitting on me, to buy frozen yogurt for lunch. On off days, I’d buy a Coke Slurpee and eat it with tortilla chips. Not a poster girl for healthy eating at all.

Mega Peanut Butter Cup Cookie

As an adult, I do manage nutritious lunches most of the time. But there are days when my younger self kicks in and all I want is a cookie the size of my head for lunch. Or a big vat of frozen yogurt. When those days come, I give into them. And that’s how this cookie was born.

A few weeks ago, back at Hershey’s Chocolate World, I spied these giant peanut butter cup cookies with a Reese’s in the middle. Beautiful, no?

Mega Peanut Butter Cup Cookie

Like any baking blogger worth my salt (or sugar), I set out to make the same thing at home but better. See, the making of a copycat recipe is a finely tuned process fraught with many obstacles. Usually, you don’t get it right on the first try. You have to keep experimenting, which I did. And boy, was I happy with the final result!

Mega Peanut Butter Cup Cookie

I decided to make this recipe single-serve. In other words, these are too dang dangerous to make in large batches. I also decided to make these seriously, um, moist. I’m sorry to use that word, I really am. But a perfect peanut butter cookie has to be chewy and not dry and a little underbaked. In fact, I wanted my site name to be Underbaked when I first started blogging, but somebody had the name already. Darn it.

Mega Peanut Butter Cup Cookie

When I saw the cookie at Chocolate World, I did what any normal baking blogger would do. I tore it apart. Like, with my hands. Broke it into pieces, studied it, took notes. I kid you not. Then when I made its big sister here, I changed a couple of things. Like the moistness. And I changed the drizzle from white chocolate to milk. The thing I loved most about the cookie, the giant peanut butter cup chunks, remained intact.

And yes, this cookie was lunch. I would love to make this more, but honestly, it’s seriously lethal stuff. I defy any bakery to produce a better result. However, I do not dare Little Debbie to do anything. My snack cake girlfriend is perfect just the way she is!

 

Mega Peanut Butter Cup Cookie

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 and 1/2 tablespoons sugar
2 and 1/2 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons egg substitute
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons peanut butter (I used Jif Natural)
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 regular-sized Reese's peanut butter cups
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix the softened butter and both sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg substitute and vanilla, mixing again until everything is smooth. Stir in the peanut butter and whisk until combined smoothly. Finally, add the dry ingredients and mix until a dough has formed.
  2. Take two of the peanut butter cups and chop each into six large pieces. Fold those pieces into the dough, making sure they're well distributed.
  3. Line a cookie sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Place the cookie dough on the cookie sheet, forming a thick disc about 3-4 inches across and one inch up.
  4. Place the remaining peanut butter cup firmly in the center of the dough.
  5. Chill the cookie for one hour.
  6. When you're ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350. Place the cookie in the oven and bake for 16-18 minutes until it's just starting to brown on top.
  7. Remove from the oven. Melt the milk chocolate chips in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir until smooth. Drizzle the chocolate over the cookie.
  8. Let the chocolate cool and harden, about two hours. Devour.
https://justaboutbaked.com/mega-peanut-butter-cup-cookie/

 

 

 

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 34 Comments

  1. Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg

    Gah! I want all of these cookies. I also regret some of the snack choices I made as a 15 year old without overbearing parents. Today, I’m glad that I can consciously and deliberately make nutritious lunches for myself; however, if this cookie was around, I might opt out of salad for the day. 😉
    Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Cucumber Ginger SodaMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Yep, I was really lucky to not have overbearing parents. It made Little Debbie’s lunches possible, Erin! Who can have a salad when a giant cookie is on the horizon?!

  2. Megan - The Emotional Baker

    Dessert sounds like a perfectly acceptable lunch to me! 😉 These cookies look beyond awesome and would make a great anytime treat – say breakfast? (Ok – I won’t go that far 🙂 )
    Megan – The Emotional Baker recently posted…Lemon Sandwich Cookies with Strawberry Lemon Buttercream FrostingMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It is totally the best lunch, Megan! I would totally go as far as breakfast. Why not? 🙂

  3. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    Mir, gigantore peanut butter cup cookies!!!!! LOVE!!! LOVE LOVE!!!!! and Little Debbie and her snack cakes . . ah, I know her well. She was a very close friend to me as a kid. you know the story. . and now bloggers everywhere are going to make “a cookie the size of my head for lunch.” I love this! TGIF and wishing you and the fam a great Memorial Day weekend!!!
    Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Red White and Blue Granita Dessert + A Giveaway!My Profile

    1. Mir

      I do know the story, Alice, and I’m so glad I do! Seriously, great post from you this week. And I hope everyone makes cookies the size of their heads. That’s the way to do it!

  4. Heather - Butter & Burlap

    Little Debbie is the best! She’s saved me from many hangry moments in my youth :). I love sweets and desserts so much, I pretty much have some sort of form of them everyday. And lately, I’ve been ALL ABOUT peanut butter, so I will definitely be enjoying these soon!
    Heather – Butter & Burlap recently posted…Greek Couscous SaladMy Profile

    1. Mir

      She is the best. I know she’s all processed and full of some kind of hydrogenated fat, and I don’t care. I’m glad you are also a fan! And I’m always all about PB, Heather. How else can you be, ya know?

  5. Sam@SugarSpunRun

    Haha, your story of your lunch history is great! I’m a little horrified by the way I used to (and admittedly sometimes still do) eat, too!
    This cookie looks phenomenal, love the gigantic size!

    1. Mir

      Thanks! A gigantic cookie is worth it, Sam! I’m horrified, too, but in a good way!

  6. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    These cookies look amazing, Mir! I think I could seriously devour each and every one of these babies. Love the peanut butter flavor!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Lemon Garlic SalmonMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Gayle! That’s why I made just one. They’re not safe around me!

  7. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks

    Girl, these cookies are mega dangerous! Little Debbie is such a loyal old friend, isn’t she?
    Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…Grilled Plum and Peach Stacks with Goat Cheese and Balsamic Fig ReductionMy Profile

    1. Mir

      She is definitely a friend from my past! We haven’t hung out much lately, gotta admit. Thanks, Rachelle!

  8. Mary Frances

    I’m a little awed at how good of shape you’re in right now considering what you used to eat for lunch. Was Little Debbie the secret, like, if I start having dessert for lunch, will it favor me like it did you?? 🙂 Or (better idea) I just make myself some mega cookies because mega is the only way to do things, amiright? Like that mega salad I should be eating … 😉
    Mary Frances recently posted…Strawberry and Blueberry Lemon French Toast BakeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I just read this after eating a cookie and I started laughing. I’m into workout out, and into eating cookies. Is that contradictory, Mary Frances?

  9. Harriet Emily

    This has to be THE perfect cookie! It looks amaaaazing!! My mouth is watering. I definitely have to make this!!!!
    Harriet Emily recently posted…CHICKPEA & HARISSA SALADMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks so much! It’s a one-serving size, which helps!

  10. June @ How to Philosophize with Cake

    Wow that looks incredible! I’d love one of those, looks so thick and rich 🙂
    June @ How to Philosophize with Cake recently posted…Vegan chocolate chip mint julep cakeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, June! I need the big giant cookies in my life NOW.

  11. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    OMG yes, Mir! Please let me eat these for e v e r y meal. I am obsessed with peanut butter cups and based on the size of the cookie compared to the PB cup, I am loving these jumbo cookies 🙂
    Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…15-Minute No-Fuss Vegan Fajitas!My Profile

    1. Mir

      Every meal, no question, Medha!

  12. Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze

    These cookies look out of this world. I could easily eat 4 and not feel guilty one bit. Love PB. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!! 🙂
    Cyndi – My Kitchen Craze recently posted…Apple Pecan Baked OatmealMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I had to make just one, Cyndi. Too dangerous!

  13. Manali @ CookWithManali

    Wow I would love to have this huge cookie for lunch! Looks so delicious Mir! Have a great weekend! 🙂
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Aloo TikkiMy Profile

    1. Mir

      You too, Manali! It’s a great lunch, BTW.

  14. Michele @ Two Raspberries

    mmmmm this looks amazing! so much PB with the perfect amount of chocolate! 😉
    Michele @ Two Raspberries recently posted…Gooey Chocolate Almond Coconut StacksMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Pretty much. Thanks, Michele!

  15. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    I swear that’s why I pack Jordan’s lunch. She’s only 10 but I see myself doing it for her even in college. That kid’ll live on brownies and tater tots! (Takes after her mama…)

    Mega cookies are the best, especially the one. OMG!
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Peanut Butter Cookie Gooey BarsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Good for you! Keep packing it. My parents never should’ve trusted me. Kids will just eat the worst stuff…

  16. Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner

    I can’t resist anything peanut buttery, especially if it also involves chocolate! This looks so delicious!
    Tina @ Tina’s Chic Corner recently posted…Cranberry SparklerMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Me neither, Tina. It’s just too much to resist, so I’ve stopped trying! Thanks so much!

  17. NEv

    Hi, this may be a dumb question but, is egg substitute absolutely necessary? can i use normal medium sized eggs? if so how many would you recommend?

    This looks ridiculously good, need to make it over the wkend.

    1. Mir

      Not a dumb question at all! Just use the same amount of beaten regular egg and it will turn out fine. Let me know how it turns out!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badge