There are two things I require for a long distance car trip. The first is an audio book. A good book, well read, keeps my mind alert, eyes on the road, and thoughts away from, “Are we there yet?” It’s amazing how much faster a trip goes when you are caught up in a narrative rather than counting down the miles. My second requirement is honey-roasted peanuts or Honey-Roasted Peanut Cookies.
Though I am allergic to tree nuts, peanuts are a different category of allergens. I love honey-roasted peanuts. I choose to ignore the added sugar and focus instead on the high quality protein. Plus, I deserve a treat for making the long drive. Having two kids who, happily for me, chose universities within a 6 hour drive from home, I have listened to a lot of great books and have eaten a lot of honey-roasted peanuts.
So, it makes sense that when I came across a recipe for Honey Peanut Wafers , while reading Nick Malgieri’s The Modern Baker (yes, I listen to novels and read cookbooks), I had to make them immediately. They were thin and crispy and full of honey-roasted deliciousness. Unfortunately, the next day they were still tasty, but all crispness was gone. They were as chewy as taffy. I don’t know whether it was undercooking on my part or the combination of ingredients, but I was disappointed to find that these were “best eaten same day” cookies. Not a care package possibility.
However, now that the idea for a crunchy Honey-Roasted Peanut Cookie was in my head, I couldn’t let it go. I tried playing with several recipes. They tasted good but the textures weren’t what I was hoping for. Then I found a recipe for Peanut Crisps from Martha Stewart. I substituted honey-roasted peanuts for regular ones and BINGO, I found my cookie.
Honey-Roasted Peanut Cookies taste like honey roasted peanuts, not like peanut butter cookies nor vanilla cookies. The first day, they are crunchy all over. By the second day, the center softens but the edges stay crisp. I think the flavor might even intensify a little. The cookies maintain this texture and taste for (as far as I know, due to consuming them all) up to 10 days.
Honey-Roasted Peanut Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup honey roasted peanuts
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking soda.
- Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar, about 2 minutes. Lower mixer speed and add egg and vanilla. Raise speed and continue mixing until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- On low speed, gradually add flour mixture. Mix until combined.
- Stir in peanuts.
- Using a small cookie scoop (2 teaspoons) place dough on prepared baking sheet about 3 inches apart. Using finger tips (moisten slightly if sticking) flatten the dough balls slightly to 1 ½” diameter.
- Bake 10-13 minutes, until edges are golden. Don’t under cook or the cookies will not be crunchy. Cool on wire racks.
- Store at room temperature for up to 10 days in an airtight container.
Packing Tips
Wrap cookies in plastic wrap in pairs with bottoms together. Place wrapped bundles in an airtight ziplock bag or container for storage. For optimal crunchy texture, store at room temperature for up to 10 days.
Love peanut cookies? Check out this collection of 20 Irresistible Peanut Cookies to bake right now!
lisak1958 says
I love your blog! I finally think I’ve figured out how to leave a reply – I’ve left replies on two others but they never stuck. Hopefully like your yummy-looking, crispy, honey-roasted peanut cookies, this reply will work out just right. :). You continue to amaze me with your incredible baking talents. I will definitely share your blog with others (and of course, proudly let them know that you are my dear friend!)
themondaybox says
Thanks, Lisa! Let me know if you get to try any of the recipes. I could use
some input into how clear the directions are. If you’re trying to figure
out what to bake first, your son #1 has expressed a great love for the iced
espresso bars (and they would make a really good make-ahead addition to
a holiday cookie plate). However, I think based on your own chocoholic
tendencies, you would fall in love with the chocolate toffee cookies. I may
just have to provide you with some samples. 🙂 Wendy
chewoutloud says
Y-U-M! Thanks for the follow. I love honey roasted peanuts, too… my kiddos eat ’em up. You’re so blessed to have 2 older kids who didn’t go far for college 🙂
themondaybox says
I was really excited to find your blog, Amy. Every recipe looks delicious to me! I plan to try several of your recipes soon. I hope you try these cookies and let me know what you think. You are right about being blessed. Both of my kids chose schools about 6 hours from St. Louis. Six hours is a very do-able drive. My daughter liked monthly visits. My son enjoys a little more independence 🙂 No one complains about cookies though.
Beth says
Thanks for following my little blog! 🙂 These cookies look great… and we totally do the audio book thing for our road trips!
themondaybox says
You are so welcome, Beth. I am enjoying catching up on your recipes! Audio books make the trip go so much faster don’t they? I am absolutely in awe of what an amazing resource the public library is!
Stephanie says
Now these are the type of recipe reviews I love! Pinned.
themondaybox says
Thank you, Stephanie! I appreciate the pin too! I hope you stop by often. 🙂
Genevieve says
is it me? but directions say add eggs, but ingredients don’t say eggs. I started to make these and noticed this. I hope it’s 2 eggs because it says eggs. Guess I will find out.
The Monday Box says
Hi Genevieve. I am so sorry about the missing ingredients and the strange instructions. You, of course, were correct in that there was no egg in the ingredients but the directions said to add “the eggs”. I would have done exactly what you did and added two eggs. This recipe is from 5 years ago, so I will have to look back at my baking notes. In the meantime, I looked at both recipes from which this one was adapted and both called for 1 egg. I changed the recipe to correct for the missing egg and will see if I can find my baking notes to see if that quantity is correct. Again, I apologize for the error and hope that your cookies were a success even with an extra egg.