Name: Keto Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Ingredients: 1 Cup Natural Peanut Butter (No Sugar Added): Peanut butter is the star of the show, delivering that iconic nutty flavor and creamy texture. It’s essential to choose a natural peanut butter that is free from added sugars and oils. Read the label carefully – you want peanut butter that lists only peanuts and perhaps salt as ingredients. The natural oils in peanut butter also contribute to the moistness of the cookies, which is vital in keto baking where we are avoiding traditional moisture-holding ingredients like wheat flour. Opt for a creamy peanut butter for a smoother cookie texture, or if you prefer a bit of crunch, you can use crunchy peanut butter – just be mindful of any added ingredients. The fat content in peanut butter is also beneficial for keto diets, helping you stay in ketosis and feel satiated.; ½ Cup Keto-Friendly Sweetener (Erythritol, Monk Fruit, or Allulose Recommended): Sugar is a definite no-go on a keto diet, but that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice sweetness! Keto-friendly sweeteners are the magic behind delicious low-carb desserts. For this recipe, erythritol, monk fruit sweetener, or allulose are excellent choices. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that has a minimal impact on blood sugar and is readily available. Monk fruit sweetener is another natural, zero-calorie option known for its clean taste. Allulose is a less common but increasingly popular sweetener that has a taste and texture very similar to sugar, with very few calories and minimal impact on blood sugar. Granulated sweeteners work best for these cookies as they mimic the texture of sugar in traditional recipes. Avoid liquid sweeteners in this recipe as they can alter the cookie dough consistency. The amount of sweetener can be adjusted slightly to your personal preference, but ½ cup provides a balanced sweetness without being overpowering.; 1 Large Egg: The egg acts as a binder, holding the ingredients together and contributing to the cookie’s structure. It also adds moisture and richness to the final product. Use a large egg at room temperature for the best results. Room temperature eggs emulsify better into the dough, leading to a smoother and more cohesive batter. If you forget to take your egg out ahead of time, you can quickly warm it by placing it in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for a few minutes.; 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Optional, but Highly Recommended): Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies, adding a touch of warmth and complexity. It complements the peanut butter beautifully and elevates the cookie from simple to sublime. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor, rather than imitation vanilla. While optional, a teaspoon of vanilla extract makes a noticeable difference in the final taste and is highly recommended for a truly gourmet keto peanut butter cookie experience.; Pinch of Salt (Optional, but Enhances Flavor): A pinch of salt might seem insignificant, but it plays a crucial role in balancing the sweetness and enhancing the peanut butter flavor. Salt acts as a flavor enhancer, bringing out the best in the other ingredients. Just a small pinch is enough to make a noticeable difference in the overall taste of the cookies. If you are using salted peanut butter, you may want to omit or reduce the added salt.; Optional: ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda (For a Slightly Softer Cookie): For those who prefer a slightly softer and less dense cookie, a ½ teaspoon of baking soda can be added. Baking soda reacts with the acidity in the peanut butter to create a bit of leavening, resulting in a softer texture. If you prefer a chewier and denser cookie, you can omit the baking soda. Experiment with and without baking soda to find your preferred texture.; Optional: Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips (For Added Indulgence): For an extra touch of decadence, consider adding sugar-free chocolate chips. These add a delightful chocolatey element that pairs perfectly with peanut butter. Look for brands that use keto-friendly sweeteners like erythritol or stevia. Lily’s Sweets and ChocZero are popular keto-friendly chocolate chip brands. Adding about ½ cup of sugar-free chocolate chips can elevate these cookies to a whole new level of deliciousness, making them even more satisfying.

Ingredients

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1 Cup Natural Peanut Butter (No Sugar Added): Peanut butter is the star of the show, delivering that iconic nutty flavor and creamy texture. It’s essential to choose a natural peanut butter that is free from added sugars and oils. Read the label carefully – you want peanut butter that lists only peanuts and perhaps salt as ingredients. The natural oils in peanut butter also contribute to the moistness of the cookies, which is vital in keto baking where we are avoiding traditional moisture-holding ingredients like wheat flour. Opt for a creamy peanut butter for a smoother cookie texture, or if you prefer a bit of crunch, you can use crunchy peanut butter – just be mindful of any added ingredients. The fat content in peanut butter is also beneficial for keto diets, helping you stay in ketosis and feel satiated.

½ Cup Keto-Friendly Sweetener (Erythritol, Monk Fruit, or Allulose Recommended): Sugar is a definite no-go on a keto diet, but that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice sweetness! Keto-friendly sweeteners are the magic behind delicious low-carb desserts. For this recipe, erythritol, monk fruit sweetener, or allulose are excellent choices. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that has a minimal impact on blood sugar and is readily available. Monk fruit sweetener is another natural, zero-calorie option known for its clean taste. Allulose is a less common but increasingly popular sweetener that has a taste and texture very similar to sugar, with very few calories and minimal impact on blood sugar. Granulated sweeteners work best for these cookies as they mimic the texture of sugar in traditional recipes. Avoid liquid sweeteners in this recipe as they can alter the cookie dough consistency. The amount of sweetener can be adjusted slightly to your personal preference, but ½ cup provides a balanced sweetness without being overpowering.

1 Large Egg: The egg acts as a binder, holding the ingredients together and contributing to the cookie’s structure. It also adds moisture and richness to the final product. Use a large egg at room temperature for the best results. Room temperature eggs emulsify better into the dough, leading to a smoother and more cohesive batter. If you forget to take your egg out ahead of time, you can quickly warm it by placing it in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for a few minutes.

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Optional, but Highly Recommended): Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies, adding a touch of warmth and complexity. It complements the peanut butter beautifully and elevates the cookie from simple to sublime. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor, rather than imitation vanilla. While optional, a teaspoon of vanilla extract makes a noticeable difference in the final taste and is highly recommended for a truly gourmet keto peanut butter cookie experience.

Pinch of Salt (Optional, but Enhances Flavor): A pinch of salt might seem insignificant, but it plays a crucial role in balancing the sweetness and enhancing the peanut butter flavor. Salt acts as a flavor enhancer, bringing out the best in the other ingredients. Just a small pinch is enough to make a noticeable difference in the overall taste of the cookies. If you are using salted peanut butter, you may want to omit or reduce the added salt.

Optional: ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda (For a Slightly Softer Cookie): For those who prefer a slightly softer and less dense cookie, a ½ teaspoon of baking soda can be added. Baking soda reacts with the acidity in the peanut butter to create a bit of leavening, resulting in a softer texture. If you prefer a chewier and denser cookie, you can omit the baking soda. Experiment with and without baking soda to find your preferred texture.

Optional: Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips (For Added Indulgence): For an extra touch of decadence, consider adding sugar-free chocolate chips. These add a delightful chocolatey element that pairs perfectly with peanut butter. Look for brands that use keto-friendly sweeteners like erythritol or stevia. Lily’s Sweets and ChocZero are popular keto-friendly chocolate chip brands. Adding about ½ cup of sugar-free chocolate chips can elevate these cookies to a whole new level of deliciousness, making them even more satisfying.

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Instructions

Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking and makes for easy cleanup. A silicone baking mat provides even heat distribution and is reusable. Setting this up first ensures you’re ready to go once the dough is prepared.

Combine Peanut Butter and Sweetener: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the natural peanut butter and your chosen keto-friendly sweetener (erythritol, monk fruit, or allulose). Use a hand mixer or a sturdy whisk to cream together the peanut butter and sweetener until they are well combined and smooth. This step is crucial for ensuring the sweetener is evenly distributed throughout the dough and creates a consistent texture. If your peanut butter is very thick, you might need to soften it slightly by microwaving it for a few seconds before mixing.

Incorporate the Egg and Vanilla (and Baking Soda/Salt if using): Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the peanut butter and sweetener mixture. If you are using baking soda and salt, add them now as well. Mix everything together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as overmixing can lead to tougher cookies. Mix until the egg is fully incorporated and the dough is smooth and uniform.

Form the Cookie Dough Balls: Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, scoop out rounded tablespoons of cookie dough and roll them into balls. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie to allow for spreading. Aim for roughly equal-sized dough balls to ensure even baking.

Flatten the Cookies with a Fork (Peanut Butter Cookie Style): This is the classic peanut butter cookie step! Take a fork and gently press down on each cookie dough ball in a criss-cross pattern. This not only flattens the cookies to the desired thickness but also creates that signature peanut butter cookie look. Press down firmly enough to flatten the dough but not so hard that you squish the cookies too thin.

Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden brown and the centers are set. Baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven and the size of your cookies. Keep a close eye on them, especially towards the end of the baking time, to prevent overbaking. Keto cookies can sometimes look slightly underbaked even when they are done, so look for the edges to be golden and the centers to appear set.

Cool Completely on Baking Sheet: Once baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. This is crucial! Keto cookies, especially those made with erythritol, can be quite soft when they are hot and firm up as they cool. Attempting to move them while they are still warm can cause them to crumble. Allowing them to cool completely on the baking sheet ensures they firm up properly and become easy to handle. Once cooled, they will be wonderfully chewy and ready to enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 120-150
Fat: 10-12 grams
Carbohydrates: 4-5 grams
Fiber: 1-2 grams
Protein: 4-5 grams