Sesame Peanut Butter Cookies

I will always have a nostalgic affinity for toasty, nutty, sweet and salty peanut butter cookies. Because even in the midst of a chaotic home with four kids coming of age, my mom baked tray after tray of peanut butter cookies for my 11th birthday, wrapping them in this dark green plastic wrap, curling the ribbons with the edge of her scissors so that I could bring them to homeroom and pass them out to all of my classmates.

When I really think about what was going on in her life at that time, I’m so grateful for the effort she put in to make my birthday special. My parents are both in their mid-sixties now and my mom recently told me that one of her top regrets in life is how she wishes she had enjoyed the journey more instead of letting the stress of life get in the way.

But if I were her — if I had lived the life she had and faced the difficulties she faced — would I really have done anything differently? I probably would’ve been overwhelmed and caught up with the stresses of life, too.

So as I recreated these peanut butter cookies (her’s didn’t have sesame but mine do 😊), I thought about my aging parents and how we all just want to maximize our time making good memories and cheering each other on. And I have to say, as I admired the finished product and how stunning similar they looked to the little bundles of cookies I passed out to my fellow sixth graders, I was really moved.

I highly recommend slightly underbaking these cookies, taking them out when the edges are ever so slightly golden brown and the centers are still slightly puffed and undone. Enjoy warm with a loved one and a glass of cold milk and remember that these are the good days!

Sesame Peanut Butter Cookies (makes about 2 dozen):

• 3/4 cup flour (225 grams)
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 stick butter (8 TBSP or 115 grams), softened to room temperature
• 1 cup light brown sugar (220 grams)
• 1/2 cup white sugar (100 grams)
• 1/2 cup peanut butter, room temperature
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds (black or regular, your choice!)
• Flaky salt (optional)

Step 1. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix to combine and then set aside.

Step 2. In a mixer with the paddle attachment, mix butter and sugars on medium high speed until lightened in color and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add peanut butter and egg, mixing for 1 minute and then add vanilla and sesame oil, mixing for another 30 seconds until well combined.

Step 3. With the mixer on low, add dry ingredients in two batches. Do not overmix. Turn off the mixer and in two small bowls, pour the sesame seeds.

Step 4. With a cookie or ice cream scoop, shape cookie dough into balls and roll in sesame seeds. Place on a sheet pan and chill at least 1 hour, ideally overnight.

Step 5. Bake cookies at 350 for 10-12 minutes until the middle of the cookies puff up. Bang the sheet pan on the counter and then bake for another minute or until the edges are slightly golden and the middle is still soft. Sprinkle with a bit of flaky salt if desired and enjoy warm with a glass of milk or coffee!