Cookies make me happy.
These homemade peanut butter chocolate chunk cookies taste like the love child of a gingerbread man and a jar of Skippy.
Please don’t try to picture that in your mind. 😕
Try one and you’ll be smiling all day. People will start to wonder about you. Why are you smiling like that? And of course you can answer:
I just like to smile.
Smiling’s my favorite.
Or you could tell them the truth: you’re smiling because you just made a batch of super-delicious chocolate peanut butter gingerbread cookies and are keeping them all for yourself. But be warned that if you go this route, they’ll expect you to share. So honesty might not be the best policy.
Initially these were to be gingerbread cookies with a hint of peanut butter. However, they turned out awesomely peanut buttery and have just an allusion of gingerbread flavor.
Peanut Butter Gingerbread Chocolate Chunk Cookies
(Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter – or Sunbutter, almond butter, or cashew butter (110g)
- 1/2 tsp powdered ginger – less if you only want a slight gingerbread flavor
- 1/3 cup Sucanat – You can sub regular brown sugar; it just won’t be nearly as gingerbread-y (45g)
- pinch stevia or 1 extra tbsp of the sucanat or sugar
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 3 tbsp flour (spelt, white, ww pastry, and Bob’s gf all-purpose all work) (24g)
- tiny pinch of salt if desired (I add 1/16 tsp and use Whole Foods peanut butter, which is salted)
- 2-4 tbsp chocolate chunks, or chips, or broken-up chocolate bar
- 2 tbsp applesauce (30g)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (4g)
In a mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients and stir very well. Put the peanut butter in a separate bowl (and if it is from the fridge, heat it until you can more-easily stir it), then add the applesauce and vanilla to the pb bowl and stir well. Combine the two bowls, and stir to form a dough, then squish into balls with your hands. Chill the balls at least thirty minutes in the fridge or ten in the freezer, during which time you are preheating the oven to 350F. Then cook 8 minutes. They will look quite underdone when they come out, but that’s ok: let them cool and do not touch for at least another 10 minutes. For soft cookies, store in a plastic container. For crispier cookies, store in a glass container. Makes 12-16 cookies.
View Peanut Butter Cookies Nutrition Facts
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Olivia @ OmNom Love says
Yum! I love gingerbread. And peanut butter. And chocolate. So I guess these cookies are for me, huh? I was going to do some baking today. I wasn’t sure what, but I think I just decided. lol. My favorite Christmas movies are Fred Claus, Santa Clause, Elf, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the one with Jim Carey). Actually, I think I like most Christmas movies. 😉
Gina G says
The Santa Clause is definitely my favorite!
p.s. the cookies look and sound amazing! 🙂
Lily says
Ooooh these look great! And I can’t wait for this cookbook I keep hearing about! Question: Have you tried using date sugar? I just bought some because it says it subs well for brown sugar in baking. I used it in one recipe and it seemed fine. I added a little liquid stevia with it because I didn’t think it would be as sweet on its own.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I did also hear that you can sub it 1-for-1 with regular sugar, but I’ve never tried it.
Tanya @ Playful and hungry says
it subs one to one! =)
Michelle says
These look yummy!
Hannah Healy @ Healy Real Food Vegetarian says
These look amazing! I agree with all those christmas movies. I love elf, the santa claus and especially love,actually! Another great one is Home Alone 1 and 2!
Joy @ Caspara says
These look so yummy!! I have to try them! Peanut butter and chocolate are an automatic win in my book, but with gingerbread, too? Woohoo!
My favorite Christmas movies are Elf and It’s a Wonderful Life. In my family, we do a Christmas movie “fest” during the month of December where we watch all our favorite Christmas movies. Every year we try a couple new ones, too. And we end with The Polar Express on Christmas Eve or Christmas night. 🙂
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
It’s a Wonderful Life is my all-time fav. I still tear up a little bit at the end. It’s wonderful 🙂 I also have a fondness for the black and white “classics” Miracle on 34th Street, The Bishop’s Wife, and Christmas in Connecticut (which I never spell correctly 🙂 )
Tiffany H says
I love the old tv classics the most..frosty/frosty returns, Rudolph, the Grinch, and Santa Claus is coming to town. For movies, I love miracle of 34th street, Scrooged and most other classic ones that I grew up with. I always watch them with a nice mug of hot cocoa.
Amy McCann says
Katy . . .I love you . . .Alright, my kids love you too . . . I homeschool 4 girls and today might be an early-Christmas-break-so-we-can-bake-day. That’s an official holiday . . .in my mind 🙂
Amy McCann says
So I have NO IDEA how to respond to the reply you sent me:) THANK YOU!!!!! I am replying to the email in case you don’t get the email at least you know that I’m trying!! WOO HOO!! I forgot to include my favorite movie. I LOVE It’s a Wonderful Life. I bought it last year and watched it tons and this year (I hold sacred the Thanksgiving to Dec 25 is Christmas Season timeline) I’ve already watched it 6 times. We’ll probably watch it today while we cook!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
These sound so good and RIGHT up my alley! 🙂
Stefanie @ Thin Vegetarian says
I don’t have a favorite holiday movie, but I usually have the same experience with the critics hating some of my favorite movies…goes to show you that you don’t know until you see it, you can’t trust someone else’s review.
Karen Jung says
These look and sound so yummy. Def, def, def making!!
My fav movie is Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, you know the 1960s version where someone had to move the little toys by hand to create a movie. I watch it each year!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Ooo these sound good, I love gingerbread! My favorite holiday movies are Home Alone and The Santa Clause!
Mandy says
These look awesome! I’m curious why Sucanat makes it more “gingerbread-y” than brown sugar? Now, my favorite Christmas movie is probably Love, actually. When I was a kid, I liked a movie with Roma Downey in it called Borrowed Hearts. It was probably some sort of Hallmark movie. Oh, and I love the Heat and Snow Misers from The Year Without a Santa Claus.
Karen says
Sucanat is unrefined and has a molasses like flavor. From the Sucanat website: Because Sucanat still contains all of the cane’s natural molasses, it has a deep brown color and a distinct, natural molasses flavor that enhances many foods.
It really doesn’t taste anything like brown sugar, but it’s really good just the same!
Karen says
My favorite is Prancer. Does anyone know that one?
Beth says
Yes! I haven’t watched it in years, but I remember loving it. 🙂
Stacy says
While I am thinking about holiday flavors…any chance you can recreate peppermint stick ice cream? Twice recently I have had to turn it down and it used to be one of my holiday favorites, makes me just a little sad…
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Maybe this one? https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/12/21/christmas-cookie-dough-ice-cream/
I’ve never actually had peppermint stick ice cream. But if you try the above version and want a real ice-cream texture, use the creamer or canned coconut milk (the peppermint extract will mask any coconut flavor).
Stacy says
Oh, and we love White Christmas!
Megan E. says
These got me excited until I read the ingredients – where is the ginger? Where is the molassas? I don’t know that these would be “gingerbread” cookies without something like that… perhaps I should experiment for myself though, I bet these would at least make a good starting point.
Meagan says
There’s ginger in the recipe! And sucanat which has a molasses flavor.
Aimee B. says
These looks awesome and I will definitely be baking these this week!
I don’t think I really have a favorite Christmas movie. I truly love so many. I fondly remember the ones from my childhood like, Charlie Brown’s Christmas, The Grinch, Rudolph, Frosty, etc. But I also love A Muppet Christmas Carol, The Santa Clause, and Elf. Our holiday movie viewing always begins on Thanksgiving with Miracle on 34th Street. I’d have to say the one that touches my heart the most is definitely It’s a Wonderful Life. Makes me cry every year. 🙂
Merry Christmas, Katie, and thank you for all you do! (((Hugs)))
Erica {Coffee & Quinoa} says
These are a mix of so many delicious things… they can’t be bad!
Jasmin says
Katie!!! These sound so amazing! I was going through the list and then realized that I had everything so I made them right away. They are in the oven right now and I can’t wait to try one! I did add some nutmeg and allspice as well as 1 tsp of molasses instead of the stevia. I had to add in some extra flour then as well. The ingredients in this recipe are similar to my gingerbread smoothie that I make when I add in some chocolate soy milk. I love the gingerbread chocolate combo!
Samantha says
Ah. The added molasses is a good idea (especially since I am using regular brown sugar). I did double the ginger though for more of a bite. 🙂
Amber says
I doubled the ginger too, but I think I could have added even more! Or maybe if I had added molasses. I used dark brown sugar. But any way you make them they are so good! I made them for a party tomorrow and I think I already ate to many and don’t have enough for work!!
Samantha says
At least they are easy to make more. 🙂 I ate them fast myself. 🙂
Shana says
Just made a batch of these and they are DELICIOUS!!!! And kid approved by my 3 year old son and his 4 year old cousin!! 🙂 Elf and Love, Actually are two favorites of mine! Katie, I live in North Dakota but am spending Christmas in Texas and am SO happy to be here and out of the cold!!! I love your blog and your recipes, have a great holiday season!!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Thank you for trying them!
Hopefully we can have a warm winter for you… sometimes it actually can get pretty cold here. Two years ago we had a blizzard with like 10 inches of snow. (Hoping that doesn’t happen this year!)
Although… I guess it also depends on the part of Texas you’re in.
Kammie @ Sensual Appeal says
Wow check out these beauties! As always, Katie, you do not disapoint.
Tammy says
These look delish!
Where do you find sucanent? Is that like stevia? Could you sub stevia or splenda and if so how much would I use?
Thanks!
T
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Here ya go! 🙂
http://www.wholesomesweeteners.com/brands/wholesome_sweeteners/fair_trade_certified_organic_sucanat.html
kim@hungryhealthygirl says
I’ve been craving a good gingerbread cookie and you can’t go wrong with the addition of chocolate and PB! Love Elf and Polar Express!
The Blissful Baker says
What an awesome combo for the season! I just recently made (and posted to my blog) a peanut butter cookie bread! I love making peanut butter as versatile as possible! 🙂
Kristen @ bakingblissful.blogspot.com
Karen says
just came out of my oven. I can vouch that the Almond Butter, Coconut flour, Ideal Brown Xylitol baking sweetener version using semi-sweet mini chips turned out fab!
Steph says
These look delicious! I think I will make them today and add cinnamon, nutmeg, and a dash of allspice.
Dharshi says
Hiiii I love your blog and this is my first time commenting 😀 I am definitely going to try out this recipe tomorrow and I have also made the flourless oatmeal raisin and choc chip cookies which are amaaaazing! I love how they were very soft and a few days later they were crunchier but they both tasted soooo good! I can’t wait to try more recipes that are really healthy too 🙂 But I don’t think we have sucanat here in the UK so I’ll have to use brown sugar
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aw hi Dharshi! 🙂
Dharshi says
Hiii Katie 😀 I just made them and they taste sooo nice! Thanks for the recipe and the weight measurements of the ingredients were really helpful too 🙂
Meredith says
How can this recipe make 12-16 cookies? Are they thumbnail sized? I usually only get 18 cookies out of a recipe that calls for 3/4 of a cup of flour and you only call for 3 tbsp.
Dawn says
You are forgetting the peanut butter, I think. The bulk of the recipe is made up of peanut butter, not flour. There are some peanut butter cookie recipes that call for no flour at all. Those aren’t vegan, though.
Dawn says
I love your cookie recipes. Keep them coming! I am going to try these today with oat flour and will report back.
ShazInNV says
For old movies I like “Christmas in Connecticut” and the hard-to-find “Junior Miss”. Both have me laughing throughout.
Heather says
Perfect for my little dairy free girlie! We aren’t vegan but vegan baking works great for dairy allergies. Favourite Christmas movies – Love, Actually (although I will watch this any time I want to cry both happy and sad tears), It’s a Wonderful Life (perfect for Christmas eve) and Home Alone. I freaking love Home Alone. I always cry when Kevin’s mom shows up in the morning. Every time. Hahahaha.
Kimberly says
Oh man! I’m starving and I have all these ingredients at home, so as soon as I get there I might just have to whip up a batch. Forget making dinner, we’ll just eat cookies.
Suzanne says
Katie I hope you don’t get any new recipes from Buddy the Elf. Such as Maple Syrup Noodles. 😉
Amy says
Hi Katie, I was wondering- You always talk about having zero sweet tooth, so I was wondering why you always use stevia in your recipes? It’s quite a bit sweeter than regular old sugar, so you might like desserts more if you skipped it. Just a thought. I know people use stevia to avoid calories from regular sugar but you’ve said that you’re actually trying to gain weight so you should try it! Cookies look great by the way- I might try them with molasses added, I know Sucanat has a molasses taste to it but I like a lot of it! Have a great day!
Julia Smith says
I agree, I have thought the same thing! 🙂 You make such a good point!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Hi Amy,
I actually don’t use stevia to avoid calories; I use it because watching sugar intake is healthy for any diet. There are a host of other problems caused by excessive sugar intake besides weight gain. But also remember that this is my job, so I’m writing these recipes for others (many of my readers have Diabetes, can’t eat sugar, or need to lose weight to get healthy) and might not necessarily use a certain variation for myself. With these cookies, for example, I’d probably just skip the stevia entirely.
Hope that clarifies!
Beth says
I will definitely be trying these cookies! How could there be anything bad about gingerbread, chocolate, and peanut butter, especially when it’s one of your recipes?
As for favorite Christmas movies, the little girl in me can’t get through a Christmas season without watching the original animated version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”, and all of the Frosty movies, but I’m also really fond of “The Santa Clause” and “Love, Actually”.
melissa says
o my goodness- peanubutter and gingerbread are both two of my favorite things EVER- can’t wait to try these, thanks! 🙂
Jodye @ Chocolate and Chou Fleur says
Peanut butter and gingerbread cookies all wrapped up into one delicious little package, with the completely necessary addition of chocolate – you are a genius, Katie! Our taste in Christmas movies is very similar – I absolutely love Elf, and my mom and I watch It’s a Wonderful Life every year (multiple times) without fail. I don’t think the critics know what they’re talking about.
laura says
love gingerbread and peanut butter this recipe looks great! My fav Christmas movie is not really a movie, but the nutcracker ballet, I look forward to seeing it every year
Fun Canadian Fact- The Santa claus with Tim Allen was filmed in a place called Oakville, Ontario Canada where I used to live 🙂
Karen says
I used to live in Oakville too! now in Georgetown, ON!!
Erikka says
Oh my gosh you just quoted Elf. You just became my favorite person ever.
Laura says
Just made them, and my only complaint is that I wish they made more. 😉
We got 15 cookies, which I know it says that’s how many it makes, but I didn’t bank on them being this good. Definately doubling the recipe for next time!
Laura says
Oh and we also added a little pinch of cinnamon thanks to the suggestion of another commenter. Delicious!
Lori @ RecipeGirl says
Katie- they look great!! Yum!
Jordan @ Eat for Health, Eat for Fun says
That’s funny, cookies make ME happy and smiling’s MY favorite too! 🙂
Analisa says
Yum I love your desserts!! Our favorite Christmas movies are A Christmas Story and Love, Actually!
Herbivore Triathlete says
Ha ha ha, I love Elf! That’s one of the best lines, along with “Santa’s coming? I know him!”
The cookies look delicious too. I never would’ve thought to put peanut butter and gingerbread together!
Ali says
These look awesome! by the way, they didn’t pan “Elf” when it came out. According to the Rotten Tomatoes website, 84% of the reviews were favorable towards it. That gives one an extra reason to smile!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Oh thank goodness ;). I guess it was just the Dallas newspapers that hated it.
Ali says
The Dallas movie critic must be one of the 16% who gave it a negative review because they lack Christmas cheer. I can’t get enough of “Elf” or your website.
Karey @ Nutty About Health says
These cookies look AMAZING & I love how you described them. 🙂
My fav x-mas movie is probably either “Elf” or “Bad Santa”.
trajayjay says
God peanut butter is delicious
I eat about 2/3 cup every day probably
Chocolate is amazing too.
Alex @ Healthy Life Happy Wife says
My husband just suggested we watch Elf, Miracle on 34th Street and Anchorman(not Christmas but still great!) on Friday! What a man 🙂
Ashley says
“The Santa Clause” is my favorite holiday movie!
Will says
Has anyone tried this recipe by subbing all the sucanat with molasses? I only have the latter on hand =)
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Maybe try it and omit the applesauce? And maybe add a little extra flour? Hmmm… if you do end up trying a version, be sure to report back!
Karen says
We watch Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation every year. We also LOVE Elf. My husband loves Die Hard – it takes place during a Christmas party – not my idea of Christmas spirit, but it is a good movie!
Lyric says
Your recipes never cease to amaze me! You have a way with ingredients, especially chocolate;)
Hannah says
Can’t wait to try these for the office Christmas party! I love Arthur Christmas, I took all my cousins to see it last year and had such a blast even though its a kids movie 🙂
Charlène says
The Santa Clause is also my favourite movie! 🙂
Paula says
Sounds delish! By any chance, do you have a peanut butter brownie recipe?
Lauren says
I made them and subbed pumpkin spice (cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg mix) for the ginger because it was all that i had, and they were amazing! My husband and I literally ate the entire batch! And my favorite holiday movie is Elf and my all time favorite since I was a kid, Charlie Brown Christmas 🙂
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Gingerbread and Peanut Butter! Yummy!!!!!! Great combination!
Lori Z says
Can’t wait to make these!! I have the NuNaturals Baking Blend. Any idea how much is in a packet? I’m never sure how much to add when your recipes call for packets of stevia. Thanks!
nicole macvicar says
Hi Katie!
could you sub arrowroot flour? It doesn’t say but do you think it would work?
thanks!
Nicole
Lia says
What an interesting combination. I’m sure it is great. Both are heartier flavor. I love Gingerbread, but I’ve always been a bit cautious about peanut butter cookies. I’m curious to try these guys out.
Carrie @ Season It Already! says
It’s a hard one to find nowadays, but when I was a kid, I loved the televised Holiday movie “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” – about a boy and his grandfather…
Lynne says
The Santa Clause, Home Alone, Home Alone 2, Jingle All the Way, Miracle on 34th Street… I can’t keep track of all my favorites!
I will be making these cookies tonight. I am excited to bake with sucanat, because in the past, I have only used it to make water kefir. Thanks for all the yummy recipes!
Amy says
My favorites are Jingle All the Way and It’s a Wonderful Life 🙂
Amy says
Also, I recently found out about “Santa Claus: The Movie” and heard it was excellent – one of those sleeper movies. It’s on Netflix Instant Queue so I’ll be watching it soon!
TorontoRunner says
I love peanut butter on ANYTHING, especially cookies/chocolate!
Fave Christmas movie has to be Home Alone! 🙂
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I love the idea of PB and gingerbread together!
My favorite movie would have to be National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. I laugh every time even though I know all the lines!
Emily says
OH. MY. GOODNESS.
i made a batch this afternoon and haven’t even gotten around to baking them yet – the dough is just too good! i was low on ginger, but i subbed a banana for the sugar and it added a whole new level of peanut-butter-banana-spicy wonderful! definitely NOT telling anyone about the cookie dough in my fridge, hehe. i think this is my new favorite kind of cookie ever! i’ve always loved peanut butter but traditional peanut butter cookies are WAY too greasy and sugary for me. these are perfect!!
Hann says
OOOOOHHHH! Yummy! My favorite Christmas movies would have to be The Polar Express, and Hallmark movies (I know they’re cheesy lol)
Trish @ MyBigFatBundt says
These were SOOOO yummeh! Your recipe made three bakery-size cookies for me. I’d say let them rest at least 2-3 hours before eating so that the peanut butter and ginger can get to know each other. Otherwise both flavors are strongly pronounced and very individual. The texture…you’d never, ever know these were vegan. EXACT same texture my ginger cookies had at my old job, except mine had butter and eggs in them. The peanut butter is a great addition. I think I’d also add a few Tbsp. of molasses to these, maybe cutting back on the peanut butter a bit? That would give them a whole new flavor dimension (leaving out the chocolate chips in that version probably). But these are amazing as-is. Thanks for sharing, I posted them to my instagram and my Facebook. 😀 (and pinned)
Honey What's Cooking says
looks wonderful, i haven’t yet tried any of your recipes, i’m so tempted to try the chickpeas blondies, maybe after the holidays, need to indulge NOW. 🙂
Haley says
Just pulled them out of the oven… I think these might be my favorite cookies EVER! So freaking tasty! I used almond butter, the brown sugar, and vegan chocolate chips. Delish!
Abby says
Katie, I’m one of your new biggest fans! Thanks for this.
I also write for a couple blogs, one is health and fitness related. I just featured your pecan pie
https://momswhotriblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/12/once-a-year/
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning says
Well, Katie… these just look INSANELY good. And I love your ELF quote. I say that a lot, along with “It’s very purple-y.”
My favorite holiday movie is Christmas Vacation!!
Penelope says
Elf and the 3 Santa Clauses are my favourite Christmas movies too! I watch them every year, sometimes multiple times!
Helen says
These cookies look delicious! I can’t wait to try making them. =) As for my favorite holiday movie, I can’t seem to decide. There are so many!
Sally - only gluten free baking says
These look scrumptious. I have to admit that one movie that really reminds me of Christmas is Home Alone. I can’t wait for my kids to get older and watch that with them. Also anything James Bond reminds me of Christmas because in England they are shown over and over on public holidays, not so much here in Aus.
Tessa says
Hey! This looks amazing! I have everything I need except for the applesauce!!! Do you think I can make it without the applesauce and it will still turn out okay?
ketapang says
I just made these and they are delicious! Forgot to pick up ginger on my way home, subbed cardamon and cinnamon instead. Katie, do you squish the dough balls with a fork before baking? Mine came out like puffballs (yummy, but crumbly) and I’m assuming I missed that critical step 🙂
Bek @ Crave says
YUMMMM!!!
Heidi Lynn says
I made these with almond butter because I didn’t have enough peanut butter. They are delicious! Next time I will try them with peanut butter. I did notice that the one I had several hours after baking tasted sweeter, but they were still really delicious! I used all Sucanat and 4 Tbsp of chocolate.
Andrea says
I love most Christmas movies it seems. My favorites are probably Elf, The Santa Clause, Home Alone, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Oh! And of course the Grinch! I haven’t ever actually watched It’s A Wonderful Life or Love, Actually, but they’re both on my list. I do also love the classics like Frosty etc. I have to work on Christmas Eve but I think once I get home I’m just going to watch Christmas movies! Haha.
I didn’t like Miracle on 34th St when I watched it. I was a kid, though. Maybe I might feel differently about it now! The Polar Express seems to be a popular one for people nowadays but I thought it was just okay.
Charlotte says
Could you sub the apple sauce for strained soy yogurt, maybe?
Anonymous says
Maybe I’m the crazy one here but PB and gingerbread are AMAZING by themselves but DO NOT sound appealing together.
Alex says
Love this!
Maybe take two of these cookies and slather coconut butter or gingerbread peanut butter between them? 🙂
Kit-Kat says
I love “It’s a Wonderful Life”!!! My family watches it every Christmas eve right before we head to midnight Christmas Mass. 🙂
Lucy says
Creative, love it. Chocolate chunks just really make everything better, they’re so much more satisfying to bite into!
Joanne says
These look SO good!! Will be making these for Christmas!! My favorite Christmas movies are Home Alone and Christmas Vacation. I HAVE to watch these two at least once in the season!!
Shannon says
I made these tonight and they are fabulous! Instead of adding chocolate chunks I pressed a Hershey Kiss on top right out of the oven. I keep walking by them in the kitchen and am having a hard time staying away!
Anna says
Just made these with almond butter and dark brown sugar. They were so delicious, even my nut-hating brothers admitted that they were “okay.” 😉
Raizel @ Sweet Pickled Reality says
These look amazing! I’ve never tried peanut butter and gingerbread together before. My favorite holiday movies are Love Actually and Hugo. Anyone else like those two?
Karen says
I made 4 different kinds of cookies yesterday…these were fave! 🙂 Thank you!
Natalie says
WOW. I just made these (using the brown sugar) and talk about MELT IN YOUR MOUTH DELICOUS 🙂 just fantastic. Good job 🙂
Julianna says
I LOVE the Santa Clause 1 and 2! (3 is eh but still good). Also Elf and Rudolph just because it’s a classic. Also, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation is traditionally watched on Christmas Eve and it is hilarious! BTW these cookies sound like heaven! I definately have to try!
Abbey says
Amazing! And smiling is buddy the elf’s favorite too:)
Michelle says
These are great! Everyone loved them. I thought they were a little dry and crumbly, but that happens when cooking with peanut butter. Some are more wet than others. The taste was out of this world, though.
R.S. says
Just made them using sunflower seed butter… aaaamazing! sooo good!
Megan says
Anyway to make these without applesauce?
Gwen says
I made these a few days ago, and they were absolutely divine. Very satisfying as well! Thanks for the excellent recipe!
Emily says
I just made these for a whole bunch of my college friends (nonvegan) who were coming over for a game night- they’re open to vegan things since I’ve made yummy desserts for them before (from your blog!!), so they were excited for this new recipe. It’s one of my favorites- I absolutely LOVE the hint of gingerbread in there! I like to describe it as that it makes the cookies taste more “snuggly”. My friends loved them too and couldn’t understand why I had only made one batch… Thanks so much, Katie!
Amber Sander says
These were Awesome!
Kristin says
I think these are my new favorite cookies…I’m tempted to crumble in homemade Reese’s next time- (probably today)
Love all your recipes!
Sofie says
Is there any good substitute for applesauce? I don’t want to buy a whole jar but I HAVE to make these cookies! 🙂
Georgia says
I baked these today, so delicious! I made a few changes, all of which seem to have worked out well.
1. I used a mixture of honey and maple syrup instead of the sugar, 1/3 cup in total.
2. I used oat flour instead of wheat flour, which I made by putting rolled oats in my blender until they were a fine powder. Because of all the extra liquids I ended up using about 4 times the amount of flour.
3. I used 70% cocoa chocolate pieces. The recipe doesn’t specify, but most choc chip cookies have milk or regular dark chocolate. The best thing about chocolate is the texture anyway, so the sweetness level or creaminess in the flavour doesn’t matter too much.
They came out crisp on the outside and gooey on the inside, in other words the perfect cookie! I posted a photo of them on instagram. http://instagram.com/p/Xl5Nm3gZyv/
I made them with the intention of taking them to my sister’s tomorrow night, because she has dietary restrictions, but they will be lucky to survive that long 😉
Louise says
Totally delicious!! Just eaten 2 and trying very hard not to eat the other 10!!
Louise says
Meant to say, I’m from England, and we don’t seem to have the applesauce you always use in your recipes, so I used 30g of mashed banana instead and they worked out perfectly. Will definitely be making these again! Along with the German Chocolate Cake I developed a small obsession with last week…..!
Hannah says
So, so beautiful looking! I want to eat them!
My favorite Christmas movies are: It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, It’s a Meaningful Life (Veggie Tales version of the first listed), The cartoon How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and then all those sort of claymation cartoons. A Year Without a Santa Claus, Little Drummer Boy, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town, and Nester the Long Eared Donkey. I also like Miracle on Thirty-Forth Street (with Maureen O’Hara, if that’s her name), Home Alone 1 and 2, and The Polar Express.
I just love Christmas movies in general, I suppose.
alice says
hey katie. what could i sub for peanut butter? greek yoghurt? thanku!! 🙂 x
Carly says
Tried making these, so yummy!
Hayley says
These were a big hit with my illustration class. Its not Christmas time, but who’s complaining. My favorite Christmas movies are A Christmas Story and The Muppets Christmas Carol
Gabby says
Can you make these with oil instead of applesauce?
Gwen says
I made these once before months ago, and I decided to make them again over the weekend. So good and satisfying! I used brown sugar, since I didn’t have any of the alternatives, and it was great. I will definitely make these again!
Emma says
Why kind of PB do you use?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Whole Foods brand, but I know others say Jif or other similar brands also work.
Bernoh says
Do you use natural peanut butter or regular? I eat all natural but have been told it doesn’t bake well. Thanks for your help.
Chocolate Covered Katie says
I use all-natural.
Jessie says
Wow! Well, that’s definitely happening this week! Can it be made without applesauce?
Nadine says
Hey Katie,
I made them today and they’re absolutely awesome. The only thing is, that they are too chewy at all. By taking them out of the glass, they are crumbling… should I let them 2 minutes longer in the oven next time? Or shouldn’t I put them in the freezer before baking?
I used spelt flour and dark brown sugar. I live in Germany therefore I haven’t got sucanat.
Nadine
Unofficial CCK Helper says
Just be sure to let them cool fully before lifting them from the tray. Also maybe your peanut butter is dry? I’ve never had a problem with mine crumbling.
Karla says
Hi Katie!
Today I made these cookies and they taste like heaven!!!!
Usually my husband does not like healthy food, but he loved these cookies!!!!
Thank you so much for writing this blog Katie, it is sent from heaven for me. I have a family history of diabetes and I am really scared about it. I can become diabetic any time, so before I become one, I voluntarily switched to a “diabetic diet” just in case. I quit eating desserts and many other things I liked for the sake of my health. But having your healthy recipes available is a gift from God.
Again, thank you so much and God bless you Katie.
Karla
Tara says
I made these today, and they are soooo tasty! The best part was having a good reason to buy a dark chocolate bar…. but, really, is a reason ever needed to buy dark chocolate? 🙂
I was watching Christmas with the Kranks while making these, and I always get a good laugh from that movie. My other favorite Christmas movies are too numerous to list!
KT says
Just made these subbing 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 Tbsp molasses & 3 Tbsp oat flour, omitted chocolate chips. Turned out great! Will try honey instead of brown sugar next time. Where can I find chocolate chips or bars with no milk or soy? I’m lucky enough to have no food sensitivities but often cook for those who do. I do love me some chocolate. 😉
Lara says
Just made these yesterday and they are almost gone! I used molasses and a few more spices such as cardamom and cloves. I was wondering about the size though. To make even just 12, I had to make them very small. Is it really only 3 tbsp of flour?
Amanda says
I was wondering the same thing! Most cookie recipes call for at least a cup & a half of flour. I can’t imagine that this would be enough. They sound DELICIOUS, but I’d need to at least double the recipe — won’t go to all that trouble to get such a small batch of cookies.
Charity says
These are fantastic! I made these delicious cookies for Thanksgiving, and people were fighting over the last few. Amazing!
Jordan Powell says
I really like your website, would you consider checking mine out???
Taryn says
I was looking through all your recipes and came across this one, and I’m convinced I have to try making it! I’m not a big fan of peanut butter, so I think I may try subbing pumpkin to make pumpkin gingerbread cookies…yum 🙂
Teresa says
These are amazing! Not kidding, I almost fell over when I took my first bite. The flavors have marvelous depth… I wouldn’t add a thing. I made the recipe exactly, following gram measurements, except that I left out the chocolate chips (they are, believe it or not, perfect without them!) , and used coconut sugar (I thought it was more similar to sucunat than the brown sugar we had). I used spelt flour, and made them into 8 normal-sized cookies, rather than 16. They are just the right size for my family. Anyway, these are amazing! Thank you for the recipe, Katie! 🙂
Sarah Dirk says
If I were to sub the apple sauce with coconut oil would I use 2 tbsp as well?
Diana says
I don’t know if powdered ginger and ground ginger are the same or not, but I used ground ginger in this recipe. I didn’t taste the ginger at all – to me, the cookies just tasted like peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. But they were incredible peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, with a delicious taste and texture, so I’m not complaining!
Vivian says
These are absolutely delicious and very easy to make, too. I used almond butter and also added a small amount of diced crystallized ginger that I had sitting in my cabinet and wanted to try to use up. Highly recommend.
Kat says
Delicious! Looking at the recipe I was sceptic….but your recipes are always yummy and these are no exception!
Ruth-Ann says
I made these last week to give as gifts. Followed the recipe as is but the cookies remained quite soft and falling apart even after cooling on the rack. I had to put them back in the oven so it took about double the stated time. They look nice and tasted ok but not gingerbready – the peanut butter overpowered it. Maybe my ginger powder isn’t strong but I did add a bit more just in case. I still gave them but left the word ‘gingerbread’ out of the label. Perhaps a different milder nut butter would work, but then this would be an even more expensive cookie! (sucanat is not cheap!). Any ideas on upping the flavor?
Jason Sanford says
Sucanat really is what gives it the gingerbread flavor, which came through when I made them, but true that maybe our nut butters were different. I used a natural one from a regular grocery store, but not Jif or Skippy, which would be sweeter. Maybe try subbing one of the tbsp applesauce for molasses? Or half of a tbsp?