Peanut Butter Oatmeal Candy Cookies

 

I'm not much of a betting person, but how awesome is it to win a bet and receive a big plate of my favorite crunchy peanut butter cookies??  I'll admit to feeling slightly guilty receiving them as the terms of the bet left me certain that the bet would turn my way, and taking them from a sweet 13-year old girl had me thinking I'd better return the favor.

Vanners flies on the stage!

You may remember Vanners from our Sleepover Tips video.  Part of Liv's dance team, I've grown to love her along with many of the other girls almost like my own.  She beamed as she presented me the plate of my favorite PB cookies that she had researched and made herself, and our conversation turned to other favorite ingredients.  Her mention of M&M cookies led us to this modified oatmeal, peanut butter M&M version that received glowing reviews from our carpool today.

While Liv loved everything about the cookie with the exception of "You try to make everything healthy by adding oatmeal", Molly and I loved the oatmeal simply for its taste and texture and never gave the "healthy oatmeal" part a second thought.  Morgan gave the cookies an 8+ out of 10 claiming that even though she doesn't usually like oatmeal cookies, she wouldn't have known it was there if Liv hadn't said anything.  Leaving me with hugs, thank yous and the request to bring them anytime, these beauties are definitely on our to keep list and will no doubt make the rounds often.  I can't wait to hear at pick-up tonight what Vanners thinks about the recipe as we've sent a heaping plate her way.

Filled with that "healthy oatmeal", these thick, chewy cookies boast handfuls of chunked chocolate along with butterscotch chips which perfectly complement the peanut butter M&M eggs that are currently in our stores as we anticipate Easter.  All combining nicely with the creamy peanut butter, these cookies will most certainly fit the bill if you are ever needing to fulfill a bet.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Candy Cookies
Creamy peanut butter combines with oatmeal and handfuls of various chips and candies to bring bountiful flavors to this chewy cookie.
adapted from Best of Country Cookies, Sharon Dedstrom, Minnesota
printer friendly

3/4 cup butter (we used Earth Balance Buttery Sticks)
1 cup plus 2 Tbs creamy peanut butter
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup each, chocolate chips (or chunks) and butterscotch chips
1 package M&M's peanut butter speckled eggs

Preheat oven to 350º.

In the bowl of a stand mixer add the butter, peanut butter and sugars.  Mix until the ingredients are creamed.  Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Mix in the vanilla.

In a medium bowl combine the flour, oats, baking soda and salt.  Whisk to combine.

With the mixer on, slowly add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter ingredients, mixing until mostly combined.  Add the chips and stir to combine.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls (or larger for big cookies) onto a prepared baking sheet.  Bake for about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for a minute or two before removing to a wire rack.