If you love a combination of sweet and salty, with notes of vanilla, these Vanilla Salted Peanut Cookies are perfect for you. I added white chocolate chips and a topping of sea salt (before baking). The oatmeal adds a lovely texture to the cookie.
*UPDATE: I have edited this post to delete my long story about my knee replacement. It’s been nine years, and I felt it was no longer necessary to share this information.
My husband has been telling me that he’s tired of seeing that Olallieberry Dutch Baby on my blog, so today I will change the recipe! What? It’s long overdue for a new recipe. So, here goes:
Before I checked into the hospital, I baked these cookies for my husband. He loves salted peanuts, and I spotted this recipe in King Arthur Flour’s magazine subscription, “The Baking Sheet“. There’s a lot of vanilla in this recipe, and it’s what makes the recipe work. The cookies have a combination of shortening and butter, oatmeal (for texture), brown sugar and white chocolate chips– all pantry staples.
I got a little over four dozen cookies–and shared them with my co-workers. One of them remarked that they tasted like “Pay Day Bars“ (minus the caramel).
These cookies will satisfy those of you who love that sweet & salt (and crunchy) combo. Plus, they’re super easy to make.
Vanilla Sea Salted Peanut Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup vegetable shortening 1 3/4-ounces
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1-stick
- 2 cups brown sugar 15-ounces
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 7-ounces
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (recommended King Arthur unbleached 8 1/2-ounces
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract 1-ounce
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups salted peanuts 8 1/2-ounces
- 1 1/3 cups white chocolate chips, optional 8-ounces
- Sea salt optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper (or grease them).
- In a large bowl, cream together the shortening, butter and brown sugar. Mix in the oats, eggs and vanilla
- Whisk the baking soda into the flour, and add to the butter/oat mixture, mixing until combined. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, then mix in the peanuts and white chocolate chips, if using.
- Scoop by the tablespoon onto the prepared baking sheets and sprinkle a little sea salt (or coarse salt, optional) on top. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, until golden brown on the edges.
- Remove from the oven and cool on the pans for five minutes before transferring to a rack to finish cooling completely.
Notes
Ii am so sorry to hear of your misery! I have missed your blogs and wondered. Take care of yourself! Heather from Ohio
I miss you. I'll be here always, whenever you're up to being back. I love your blog, you always make me smile and I wish I could return the favor. Love your outlook and your honesty and I hope things get better soon. I'll be thinking of you.
Sorry you are having such a tough time! I had to relearn walking, though without the awful pain you are having, and know it can be a very demoralizing experience. I also couldn't eat much but when your appetite returns I'd recommend getting an adjustable height bar stool like this http://www.completecareshop.co.uk/disability-elderly-aid-large/3380/vinyl_seat_perching_stool_-_adjustable_height_with_armrests.html?gclid=CNiooIWVi7gCFc3HtAodUgQAzg – I found it invaluable until I got the strength back in my leg. Not much comfort as it is a long slow process but you will get there! Take care of yourself.
I'm so sorry to hear about your misery Debby. I was following your surgery updates on Facebook and then we moved and were without internet for a week, so I'm glad to hear you are home. I hate that you are in such pain. It sounds awful. I live with chronic pain, but nothing like you have. I pray for a speedy recovery.
Don't worry about us. The faithful ones, such as myself and zillions of others, will be here for you, so don't push yourself for us. Take time to heal and I hope your appetite will return soon too.
Big hugs over the airwaves.
Sam
I found your blog on foodblogs.com. I had to comment because I have known a couple of people who've had knee replacements. Of all the surgery's that friends of mine have had, knee replacement surgery has been the toughest recovery. But they did recover! It just took a ton of hard work. I can also relate to how hard it is to be away from your blog for an extended period of time. Life does sometimes interfere with our plans – I've gone uncomfortably long stretches without posting. Anyhow, I hope you have a quick recovery. The cookies look amazing! I'm not a huge fan of sweets but I'm going to make these – the peanuts and the salt and the vanilla sound like a winning combination. Best, Lisa
I'm very sorry that your recovery is so difficult, Debby. Hopefully in a couple of weeks when you are doing better all the pain will be forgotten (or at least not so vivid in your mind) I have said many times in my life that if I knew beforehand what I was getting into I would never have done something. Don't worry about your fans abandoning you…not a chance.
It's good to vent — and inform. I've heard that knee replace is more difficult than hip. I hope I never have to face either.
All best wishes for your speedy recovery!
You were missed and now I know. So sorry to hear about the pain, bit I know it can happen (retired RN). Please – take it easy for a while and yes, post only when YOU feel like it.
Those cookies sound like fun and are the general type that we enjoy. Maybe next week. To a speedy recovery, I'll toast you with a peanut cookie! Best wishes, -C.
My heart goes out to you. Hate to hear of anyone suffering, but yes it will pass. My mom had a knee replaced when she was 83. She's 88 now and going strong on that knee. It will all be worth it!
Hang in there sweetie.
Hi Debby,
I love your recipes and just wanted to wish you a speedy recovery. As a physical therapist I know what you are going through but it will get better. ^ months for it to feel like your own, 1 year and you'll have your own knee. Make little goals to keep from getting depressed. I love reading your blog and I wish you all the best.
Anne
Oh Debby, I am so sorry your recovery is so difficult! I am hoping that things improve for you every day and that in time you will be happy with the results from the surgery. I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Please take your time recovering and do not worry about posting recipes to your blog. You have many loyal followers that will be here for you no matter what.
P.S. I hope you were able to get your hands on some minestrone soup. I know you were craving that! I actually love the minestrone from Carraba's (not sure if you have them there of if they do take out).
Oh, and I do love those cookies. Will have to pin them and make them sometime when my son is at school (he's allergic to nuts).
Ahhh I'm so sorry this has all been so hard! But I'm absolutely certain that it will be worth it in the end!
These cookies sound amazing! My boyfriend would definitely love them.
I'm so sorry you are in pain. When I had my knee repaired, which is nothing compared to a knee replacement, the physical therapy was the worst part but I'm so glad I stuck with it! Hang in there, I'm praying for your speedy recovery. Love your blog, you are missed.
Hi,
I am so sorry to hear about ur pain. I have been a fan of your recipes and your writing and wish you the very best and a good recovery. Hope to see you back in action soon. And I doubt your followers will stop reading your lovely blog if u re absent a while 🙂 Take Care.
Oh my dear, so sorry to hear what you're going through. Don't even want to imagine it since it's on my dance card in the reasonable future. Lucky you have such a supportive family! Don't worry about losing your readers, we enjoy your blog immensely and aren't going anywhere. Just post when you're really feeling up to it. I'll keep you in my thoughts.
I just started reading your blog and wondered why there were no new posts! So sorry to hear of your pain. My husband had both of his knees replaced in the last 18 months, about six months apart.
His advice: take your pain meds regularly, do your exercises and go to all your PT appointments. Exercise really will make things better. Don't try to be brave about the pain. He took them for at least 6 weeks.
Get well soon Debby. I am sorry that you are having such a bad time. The pain will reduce with each passing day. Iam a regular at your blog. Ann
Your blogging and recipes always brighten my day and I really appreciate that. I hope I can return the favor and brighten your day by wishing you a full recovery and letting you know that you are missed. Best wishes…
I'll never stop reading! 🙂 if these cookies look half as good as your knee, I'd say things are looking up! Can't wait to try them! Praying hard for continued healing and a joyful spirit.
Just made these!! They may be my favorite non chocolate cookie ever!! The salt was the perfect addition! Crunchy, sweet, and salty, the only snack I will be eating for the next several days 🙂
Debby,
I hope your recovery is progressing and you start feeling like your "old" self again soon. Injury or illness can really get you down sometimes so be gentle with yourself and remember that you WILL thrive again! Each day is closer to a new normal and know that you have lots of fans pulling for renewed strength and full healing. Take care of YOU!
Thank you so much, Tiphanie!
Hey Debby, hang in there. I've got two friends that had knee replacement surgery and it does get better. Ultimately it changed their lives for the better! Glad for you that the worst is over. I'm loving the vanilla salted peanut cookies. Anything with sweet and salty is good with me. Great recipe!
I think I may have to make these for Scott. He LOVES peanut anything and I love Maldon salt on cookies. It gives them a hint of savoriness.
Hope you're doing better, hon! Glad your hubby is taking good care of you. xoxo
Are these gorgeous, awesome things and dishes can really prevent us from pains? I like such dishes so I must try them for the goodness of my health as well as for the taste.
physical therapy center
Undergoing physical therapy is an important part of the recovery stage after surgery. You shouldn't ignore this if you want to restore a 100% good condition. No matter how painful it is, you need to bear it. After all, it's for your own good. But of course, only licensed physical therapists know what best to do and how to help relieve your pain. Ask your doctor as well if you are allowed some form of pain reliever.