There are so so so many renditions of some sort of flourless, chewy peanut butter cookie. Maybe you don't need yet another one, but I'm sharing anyways because I quite like these ones. They are super easy (except for making my hands sticky with batter), super satisfying, and quite flexible because you can chose your toppings. The batter is standard but you can add chocolate or jam or nuts as a little gem in the center of each one. Regardless of what you chose, the very important part is the flakey salt sprinkled on top just before they hit the oven. Salt is the unsung hero of baked goods. Remember that salt brings out other flavours, including sweet (even though they seem opposite). So don't be afraid to use salt in your cookies! Plus everyone likes salted peanuts so it makes even more sense here.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (or a sweetened peanut butter like Skippy if you want them sweeter, I also assume almond butter would work)
1 egg
1/2 tsp baking soda
pinch of cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup packed almond flour (I'm not sure the kind of flour is really important here, we just need something to bind all the sticky peanut butter)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1-2 tbsp sugar for additional sweetness *optional
Flakey salt, for garnish
Optional Add Ins
Chunks of a chopped chocolate bar, or chocolate chips
Jam
Chopped nuts
Coconut flakes
Toffee or Caramel Chips
Dulce de Leche or Caramel
Whatever else you please
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350F. Stir peanut butter, baking soda, cinnamon, vanilla, flour, maple syrup, and any additional add ins you wish until smooth. Let the batter sit for about 10 minutes, which makes it a bit easier to handle.
Roll the cookies into balls, flatten slightly, then pop a chunk of chocolate in the middle and sprinkle with flakey salt. I think making a little divot in the center and filling that with jam would also work. You can also leave them to their straight up peanut butter glory.
Bake for 8-12 minutes. Keep to 8-10 minutes if you like them softer and more chewy.