Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies + Bunny Bags

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, MARS Incorporated. All opinions are mine alone. #SweeterEaster #CollectiveBias

As I’m writing this it’s early in the morning and I’m wrapped up in a thick blanket with my sweet black kitten purring contentedly on my lap. I woke up to messages from my hubby saying he and his brother made it to Palau. They’re on a scuba trip for the next while, and every time I tell people about it they are stunned I would let them go without me. Really, it was my suggestion. I don’t scuba and always feel bad that my hubby can’t dive to his heart’s content when we’re vacationing, plus his brother just returned from a 9-month deployment so it was good timing. But I can’t say I’m not the slightest bit jelly. They had a long layover in Taiwan which I’ve been eager to visit, and have been messaging me photos of all their delicious lounge food. But it’s okay, I always counter with my own food photos. Sorry boys, but your bulk sheets of brownie bars cannot compare to my homemade treats. At least I win in the dessert category.

These cookies are a truly decadent treat and a magical combination. I love these peanut butter cookies so much, and didn’t think I could love them more, but…enter the DOVE® Peanut Butter Egg. Literally as soon as these soft, chewy things are out of the oven you plop an entire egg on top, sprinkle with salt, and omg it’s a mind-blowing collaboration. Obvi I get a little overexcited about food, but #sorrynotsorry. I think these would be such a sweet give-able Easter treat so I even put together a tutorial for some bunny cookie bags. They kinda look like CD envelopes don’t they? All the supplies and the DOVE® Peanut Butter Eggs can be found at Walmart where they are brand spanking new. And keep scrolling for an Ibotta coupon.

I can think of tons of people who could benefit from these yummy Easter treats, who would you give one to? Run to Walmart for a plethora of Easter supplies, and find even more delicious Easter ideas HERE.

Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Makes about 16 large cookies

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 pkg.s (need 16 pieces) DOVE® Peanut Butter Egg
• 2 Tbsp kosher salt

Directions:

Beat together the butter and peanut butter. Add the brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, the baking powder and baking soda, and continue to beat. Next add the vanilla extract and egg and beat to combine. Mix in the flour all at once until there are no powder streaks left. Loosely cover your mixing bowl and place in the fridge for about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicon mats. Pour your leftover 1/4 cup sugar into a small shallow bowl.

Form dough into 1-1/2 inch balls and roll in the sugar. Place 2 inches apart on your cookie sheet. Use a fork to flatten the cookies and make a criss-cross. Bake for about 10 minutes until the edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately place a DOVE® Peanut Butter Egg on each cookie. When it begins to melt, sprinkle each with a pinch of kosher salt. If the top doesn’t become melt-y enough for the salt to stick, use a kitchen torch or lighter to gently warm it. Let cool completely.

Peanut Butter Cookie recipe adapted from here. 

How to Make Cookie Bunny Bags:

What You Need:

• this template
• card stock
• scissors
• ruler
• double-sided tape
• 5-inch cellophane bags

1. Print the template onto as many pieces of card stock as you plan to make. Choose double-sided when you print, or if your printer is as weak sauce as mine (it has trouble printing double-sided on thick paper) then do it manually: choose to print the first page on all of your sheets, then flip over and select to print only the second side.
2. Gather your supplies: scissors, a ruler, double-sided tape.
3. Cut out the template.

4. Cut out the window by scoring deeply with the scissors. See it the square pops out on it’s own, or help it along with the scissors and trim any uneven edges.
5. Score the remaining lines lightly.
6. Fold the scores.

7. Place double-sided tape along the side tabs and attach them.
8. Your cookie bag should look like so.
9. Stick a cookie in a cellophane bag and slide it into your finished bunny envelope. Seal with a cute sticker or washi tape, and give away as cute Easter treats.