Peanut Butter and Apple Oatmeal Cookies
It's true. We're nearly at the end of September, and most schools have been back in session for a month already. Not having kids returning to school to mark the occasion, it's almost scary to me how quickly the month flew by.
Not long ago, I was enjoying one of my favorite snacks - apple slices dipped in peanut butter - when it occurred to me that the flavor combination might make a pretty phenomenal cookie. Once an idea like that gets into my head, well, there's no stopping it. I could think of nothing else!
Peanut Butter and Apple Oatmeal cookies were born. The addition of oatmeal gave these cookies the body they need, while the peanut butter and apples come together in that same perfect after-school-snack union that I love so well.
When I make them again, I think I might try the recipe with chopped dried apples instead of fresh, because after a day or two, the cookies became super soft and crumbly - though at that point they'd probably be pretty tasty toasted up with some butter and layered on top of some cooked apples. (I wish I'd thought of it at the time!)
Turns out, I'm not the only one that apples in cookies on the brain. I guess great minds think alike! Tracy over at Sugarcrafter made her Oatmeal Apple Cake Cookies around the same time I made these cookies. She's a lot more organized at publishing in a timely fashion, clearly. And pretty awesome to boot.
These cookies are perfect tucked into a little one's lunch box for a special treat, or with a cup of tea for a mid-afternoon respite.
Peanut Butter & Apple Oatmeal Cookies
Makes approximately 24 large cookies
Ingredients
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
2 cups rolled oats
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¾ cup butter, room temperature
½ cup peanut butter with honey (I used Skippy)
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon boiled apple cider
1 green apple, peeled, cored and diced
1 cup dried cranberries (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350F. In a medium bowl, combine flour, oats, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Whisk well to combine and aerate.
In a large bowl or stand mixer bowl, beat butter on high until light and fluffy. Add peanut butter and repeat, scraping the sides of the bowl often until butter and peanut butter are completely combined. Add sugar and brown sugar and beat again until both sugars are fully incorporated.
Add eggs, vanilla extract and boiled apple cider and beat again until well mixed.
Add flour mixture in increments, mixing on medium speed and scraping the bowl often. Mix until all flour mixture is completely incorporated.
Fold in diced apple and dried cranberries by hand.
Using a large cookie scoop, drop onto a lined baking sheet - 6 to a sheet.
Bake for 11-13 minutes or until cookies are golden brown around the edges.
Allow to cool slightly on the baking sheet, then remove to a cooling rack and allow to cool completely.
After 2-3 days, cookies keep best in the freezer or refrigerator.
[wpurp-searchable-recipe]Peanut Butter and Apple Oatmeal Cookies - - - [/wpurp-searchable-recipe]
Hi
How much dried apples do you suggest I use in this recipe. Also, do dried apples have any flavor to them. Where did you purchase the boiled apple cider.
Hi Jackie,
I'd suggest about a cup of chopped dried apples. Dried apples DO have flavor, though it is milder. Luckily, that's where the boiled cider can come in. It adds a lot of apple flavor in a tiny amount of liquid. You can buy it directly from King Arthur Flour. That's where I got mine. http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/boiled-cider-1-pint
So long as its cookies and cookies are for me....actually, I've been trying to think of a good apple cookie idea...yummy!
Great combo, Amber! It's the perfect season for these cookies.
I love peanut butter and apples!
Oh heaven in a cookie! I think I need to go grocery shopping and get the items to make these.
Dipping apples in peanut butter was always one of my favorite snacks as a kid... Love the idea to turn it into cookies! 🙂
It always cracks me up when my food friends have the same cravings as I do - great minds think alike, right?
I love this idea! I'm a big fan of apples and peanut butter, too, and adding both of those to a delicious oatmeal cookie is a great twist on my favorite fall flavors. 🙂
Apple and Peanut Butter Cookies? You are a genius! These look fantastic!
Aww, thanks for the mention! Although I hardly feel organized, lol. Your cookies look like they are nice and chewy - will definitely have to try them, with SunButter, of course. 🙂
You had me at apple slices and peanut butter. I favorite since childhood, I know I would love these cookies too!
Ooh, I love soft cookies. Putting on my list. Glad to see non-pumpkin recipes floating around. 🙂
Pumpkin and apple get equal opportunity love around here, Julie. 🙂
Love these! Great way to use up apples 🙂
Absolutely, Katrina. Thanks for stopping by!
These look great, my boys will love them. I eat peanut butter and apples all the time but I never thought of making cookies, brilliant!
Thanks, Miss! I really think they're delicious. Just very soft. 🙂