Peanut Chews (Treats for Co-Irkers and FPF)

I am not a bird killer, nor a promoter of such an activity. But if I were, I can only imagine the thrill one would get from acquiring the skill and accuracy it must take to kill two with one stone.

Figuratively speaking, I did just that today. I finished off two feathered fowl in one fell swoop by combining both Treats For Co-Irkers and Food Processor Fridays into a single post. If this happens to become a future Olympic event, I now feel somewhat qualified. And if I ever figure out how to kill three birds with one stone by including the Bread Baker's Apprentice Challenge, I will consider entering the next local Triblogathon. (That's where the real money and Nike sponsorship is, don'tcha know.)

Peanut Chews (adapted from King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking)

1/2 cup dry-roasted peanuts
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated (white) sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup water
2 TBSP dark corn syrup or honey
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet or line with parchment paper or Silpat.

Process peanuts with metal blade until finely ground. Remove to small bowl. Set aside.

Place peanut butter, sugars, egg, water, corn syrup, vanilla, baking soda and salt into processor bowl. Pulse to thoroughly combine.

Add flour and ground peanuts. Pulse until well combined. The dough will be somewhat stiff.

Drop the dough by tablespoonful onto the prepared baking sheet. Press the top of each cookie with a fork to make a crisscross design, flattening the cookies to about 1/2" thick. Dip the fork in cold water if it starts to stick.

Bake the cookies for 11-12 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a rack to cool.

This recipe will yield 2 dozen cookies (plus two that you eat yourself and two that you're kind enough to share with your hubby and daughter)