peanut butter kisses

When asked "what Christmas cookie do you like the best" Justin will respond with one of two answers - the little round sugar coated ones (noel nut rounds) or the peanut butter cookies with the Hersey kisses. I had to break the  news to him that Hersey kisses are not vegan - he responded with     " you could totally make your own!" - yeah okay, keep dreaming - Cara from Fork & Beans whipped up a batch of Kisses in February and made it look pretty simple, but I was feeling lazy plus she is pretty amazing so I opted to go with chocolate pieces. Which for the record works just as well and well, it's probably surprise but tasted exactly the same as a Hersey kiss!

This year was the first year that I caved into Justin's peanut butter kiss request - for some reason or another these remind him of Christmas, I don't immediately think of Christmas when I see these cookies but I do know for many other people they do. So I set out to create a vegan version, while at the same time make Justin's day.

This cookie is really simple to make- it is a bit messy to roll but like I did, you will work through the mess and get the job done. Or better yet you could incorporate little helping hands to assist you with the rolling. When rolling the peanut butter rounds next time, I may slightly dust my hands with flour to prevent the dough from sticking so much or chill it a bit in the fridge. Please share if you have any other helpful hints!

 

The part that takes the most time to complete is the rolling of the cookie balls - once you get through that you are home free. It is so worth the little bit of extra time, chocolate and peanut butter combined is a flavor combination I will never tire of.

Do you have a cookie baking weekend during the Holidays? Have you ever participated in a vegan cookie swap?

Peanut Butter Kisses

makes 18 cookies

 

you will need:

 

dry

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (or AP flour)

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/8 tsp salt

 

wet

1/2 cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)

2 tbsp Vegan Butter

1/2 cup peanut butter

2 flax eggs

(1 flax egg = 1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp warm water)

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

16 vegan chocolate pieces

 

assembly:

pre heat oven to 350*

 

in a medium mixing bowl combine dry ingredients & set aside

 

in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment - beat butter & sugar for 1 minute. Add peanut butter, flax eggs & vanilla - beat for an additional minute. Using the stir speed slowly add the dry to the wet - mix until just combined and cookies dough pulls away from the sides of the mixing bowl.

 

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. A tablespoon at a time rough dough into a ball - flouring hands as needed to prevent sticking. Place each dough ball on the baking sheet - bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and place 1 chocolate piece in the center of each cookie, slightly pressing down. Bake for an additional 2 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool 5 minutes on baking sheet prior.

 

Enjoy!