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Peanut Butter Paw Print Cookies

These delightful peanut butter cookies are decorated immediately after baking with standard and mini chocolate chips to resemble adorable paw prints, making them a fun treat for kids and dog lovers alike.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 9 cookies (4 per serving)
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 440

Ingredients
  

Cookie Base
  • 1 ¾ cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ½ cup Unsalted Butter (1 stick), softened
  • ½ cup Creamy Peanut Butter
  • ½ cup Granulated Sugar , plus extra for rolling
  • ½ cup Packed Light Brown Sugar
  • 1 large Large Egg
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Paw Print Decoration
  • 36 Standard Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (for the main pad)
  • 108 Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (3 per cookie for the toes)

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Baking Sheets
  • Parchment Paper

Method
 

Making the Dough
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the softened butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy (3 to 4 minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  4. Beat in the large egg until just combined, then stir in the vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until the dough comes together and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix.
Baking and Decorating
  1. Place a small amount of extra granulated sugar in a shallow dish. Scoop the dough using a small cookie scoop (about 1.5 inches in diameter). Roll each portion into a smooth ball and lightly coat it in the extra sugar.
  2. Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden brown, but the center still looks slightly soft.
  3. Create the Paw Prints: As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, while they are still hot, gently press one standard semi-sweet chocolate chip into the center of each cookie to form the main pad.
  4. Add the Toes: Immediately follow by pressing three mini semi-sweet chocolate chips above the standard chip to form the smaller toe pads. Arrange them in a slight arc, pressing gently to adhere.
  5. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Serve once the chocolate chips are set.

Notes

For perfectly uniform cookies, ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. If your dough is too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before rolling. Use crunchy peanut butter for an added textural element, if desired.