There is nothing better than a soft, sweet peanut butter cookie. But making them completely from scratch can be a bit tough for the novice baker. Many of us turn to boxed mixes like Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Cookie Mix. It is simple, delicious, and can satisfy the most intense sweet tooth.
Though they are convenient and simple, boxed cookie mix sometimes doesn’t have the same oomph as homemade peanut butter cookies. Luckily, there are many tricks to make Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Cookie Mix taste like they are homemade.
With the tips and tricks in this post, no one can ever tell your peanut butter cookies came from a box. These tips can help make the cookies more flavorful, soft, and moist. The perfect trio that is needed in any cookie. Read on to learn how to make Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Cookie Mix better.
How to Make Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Cookie Mix Better
Switch Vegetable Oil with Butter
Most homemade cookies usually use butter instead of vegetable oil. This is because most vegetable oils are neutral in flavor and low in fats. Butter, on the other hand, is full of fat and flavor. Adding butter to the mix instead of vegetable oil will significantly boost your peanut butter cookies’ flavor.
The texture of the cookies will change if you use this trick. Butter will make the cookies a bit thinner and will give them a crispy texture. Each bite will taste much more like a traditional peanut butter cookie than one from a box.
If you want to take this tip to the next level, try browning the butter before adding it to the mix. Browning really makes the fatty, rich flavors of the butter pop. This step is completely optional, but it will definitely elevate your peanut butter cookies.
Splash in Some Milk
Nobody enjoys a dry cookie, but how can you moisten a boxed cookie mix? Use milk instead of water! This will give them a creamier and richer flavor profile. Like butter, milk has more fat than water, giving the cookies more flavor and moisture. Water and milk have a 1:1 ratio, so use the same amount of milk that you would use for water.
If you are worried about adding too much milk or liquid, try adding in powdered milk. You still get all the benefits of milk, but without the extra water that comes in milk. Baking is an exact science, so sometimes the slightest change can completely alter your cookies. Add one tablespoon of powdered milk if you decide to use this trick.
Want to keep your peanut butter cookies vegan or dairy-free? Plant-based milk works just as well as regular milk! Any plant-based milk works, but coconut and almond milk work the best. They have a bit more fat than other plant-based milk, so it will add plenty of creaminess to the peanut butter cookies.
Use Brown Sugar
Adding brown sugar may sound like it would make the peanut butter cookies overly sweet, but that is not the case. Adding a bit of brown sugar to the boxed mix adds a whole level of flavor to the peanut butter cookies.
Brown sugar has a higher level of molasses, giving the cookie a more caramel-like flavor. It also affects the overall texture and chewiness of the peanut butter cookie. Thanks to its high molasses content, brown sugar holds onto water much better than white sugar. This helps make the cookie more moist, soft, and chewy.
To incorporate this trick, sprinkle a bit of brown sugar into the dry ingredients first. Then add in your wet ingredients, and proceed as normal.
Sprinkle in Some Salt
On the opposite side of the spectrum, sprinkling in some salt is a great way to make your peanut butter cookies taste homemade. With all the sugar, the sweetness can be a bit much for some people. Adding a hint of salt can balance out the sweetness of the cookie mix.
You don’t have to add a lot of salt. Just a small pinch will help balance out all the flavors of the peanut butter cookies. Another positive of adding salt to cookies is how it creates a chewier cookie. Salt’s properties strengthen the proteins in peanut butter cookie dough, so each bite is nice and chewy. Both kosher salt and table salt work well for this tip, so use whichever you have on hand. You will not be sorry for adding a pinch of salt to your cookies!
Add in Pure Vanilla Extract
Vanilla adds a gentle taste that really brings out the peanut butter flavor of the cookies. Similar to salt, vanilla brings out the other flavors in the dish and can take your peanut butter cookies to the next level. Be sure to use pure vanilla extract and not imitation vanilla. Imitation vanilla flavor has many artificial ingredients that will not provide the same “vanilla” flavor as the real thing.
Pure vanilla extract will provide the peanut butter cookies with a fantastic flavor, but imitation may give a chemical-like flavor to the cookies. If you decide to add a hint of vanilla flavor to your peanut butter cookie box mix, it’s best to use pure vanilla extract.
Chill the Dough Before Baking
Using a boxed peanut butter cookie mix will save you a lot of time, so use the extra time to improve your cookies. Chill the cookie dough in the fridge before placing the cookies on the baking sheet. Even if it’s only for half an hour, chilling the dough will make a huge difference in the end result.
By refrigerating the dough, the fats from the oil or butter solidify. This prevents them from melting quickly when in the oven. By slowing down the fat’s melting process, the cookies hold their shape easier and have a softer texture.
Another positive of chilling the peanut butter cookie dough is that the ingredients have time to mix together better. The flour really soaks up the other flavors in the dough, so you’ll get a stronger taste from your peanut butter cookies.
Adjust the bake time
Baking is an exact science and can be very susceptible to the environment. If you live in a more humid environment, your cookies could turn out differently than someone in a dryer climate. Even if you are both following the exact same steps! That being said, checking on your peanut butter cookies about 5 minutes before the box suggests is important. This doesn’t mean taking them out early, but see how they are doing and adjust the bake time as you see fit.
Taking out the cookies too early will deflate them, and leaving them in too long will give you burnt cookies. Keep an eye on the peanut butter cookies and take off, or add on time. This will ensure you have delicious and well-baked cookies.
Switch it Up with Toppings
The best part about making cookies is how much fun you can have with them! Use the Betty Crocker’s Peanut Butter Cookie mix as a base, and add your own spin on it. Since they’re peanut butter cookies, adding a drizzle of chocolate on top or adding chocolate chips could be a great option. Kind of like Reese’s peanut butter cups but in cookie form!
If you want a bit more crunch, add some crushed peanuts. They’ll add awesome texture while boosting the peanut-y flavor. Whatever you decide to add to your cookies, make sure to see how they could affect the cookie. Some toppings bring in additional oils and liquids that could ruin the peanut butter cookies’ texture and taste. Plenty of resources can help you find the correct measurements of different toppings to prevent this from happening.
Doing this trick may seem like too much extra work, but you can always keep it simple by adding toppings on top of the cookie. Rather than adding extras to the dough, make something for the already-baked cookie! This could be anything from a caramel drizzle to a scoop of ice cream!
Use Butter That is at Room Temperature or Melted
If you use butter in your peanut butter cookie mix instead of oil, make sure it’s not cold! The easiest way to replace the oil is with an equivalent amount of melted butter. Using solid, cold butter will make it difficult to mix in with the other ingredients. This could leave chunks of butter in your cookies, while other parts have no butter! Take the time to melt your butter, even if it takes an extra step.
Using room-temperature butter also works when making peanut butter cookies. Though it is still solid, it is much easier to cream. Mixing softened butter with the dry ingredients will create a soft, creamy mix. It takes more work than melted butter, but it will create a much softer cookie texture.
Customization for Special Occasions
Enhancing your Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Cookie Mix is simple with these targeted tweaks for special events. By adding just a few extra ingredients or pairings, you can elevate your cookies for any specific occasion.
Holiday Themes
For holidays, think color and themes to match the festivity. During Christmas, mix red and green sprinkles into the dough or top your cookies with them right before baking. For Halloween, a few drops of orange food coloring can transform your cookies to match ghostly decorations. Embrace the holiday spirit with these modifications:
- Christmas: Red and green sprinkles, chocolate chips, or peppermint pieces for a festive twist.
- Halloween: Add orange coloring and top with a dot of black icing post-baking to resemble a pumpkin.
Dessert Pairings
Pairing your peanut butter cookies with classic desserts can turn an ordinary day into a memorable occasion.
- Ice Cream Sandwiches: Take two cookies and press a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream between them.
- Cheesecake Topping: Crumble cookies to use as a crunchy base or sprinkle on top of a classic cheesecake.
The key is to use complementary flavors that will enhance, not clash with the peanut butter base.
Gourmet Twist
Inject a gourmet twist to your cookies for an upscale event or just to treat yourself. Consider these add-ins:
- Peanut Butter and Jelly: Swirl jelly through the dough before baking for a playful take on the classic duo.
- Luxe Toppings: Sprinkle sea salt flakes or toasted coconut on top before baking to add texture and taste.
- Extra Ingredients: Mix in ingredients like homemade caramel chunks or a touch of espresso powder to intrigue the palate.
Incorporating cream cheese into the dough can give your cookies a soft, rich texture that’s both unexpected and delightful. Remember to keep balance in mind; the goal is to complement the original peanut butter flavor.
Alternative Uses for Cookie Mix
Betty Crocker Peanut Butter Cookie Mix is not limited to just making cookies; it can be an innovative ingredient in an array of desserts.
Beyond Cookies
You can transform your peanut butter cookie mix into a versatile cake mix. Simply prepare the mix according to the package instructions, then add an extra 1/4 cup of flour and 1/4 cup of sugar to give it a cake-like texture. Pour the batter into a greased cake pan and bake at the temperature specified on the cookie mix package, but for approximately 20 minutes longer, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
For those who love the classic flavor combination of peanut butter and jelly, the cookie mix can be used to make thumbprint cookies. Roll the dough into balls, press your thumb into the center to create a well, and fill it with your favorite jelly before baking.
Creative Desserts
Cheesecake lovers can rejoice by using peanut butter cookie mix as a delicious crust. Mix 1 and 1/2 cups of cookie mix with melted butter until it forms a crumbly texture. Firmly press the mixture into the bottom of a springform pan and bake for 8-10 minutes at 350°F (175°C), then add your cheesecake filling and continue with your preferred cheesecake recipe.
For a scrumptious frosting, crush the baked cookies until fine, then mix into your favorite vanilla or chocolate frosting to add a peanut butter twist to your cakes and cupcakes.
If you want to incorporate cookie mix into your ice cream, simply bake the cookie dough into small bits, let them cool, and then stir them into your ice cream mixture before freezing. This will give your homemade ice cream a delightful peanut butter crunch.
FAQs
How can I tell if my peanut butter cookies are done?
Look for a golden brown color around the edges which is a good sign that they are done. Although the center might seem soft initially, it will firm up as the cookies cool down. If you’re not sure, you can use a toothpick to test the center of the cookies. Simply insert a toothpick into the middle. If it comes out clean, your cookies are good to go!
Why are my peanut butter cookies crumbly?
Make sure to measure your ingredients since excess flour can result in dry and crumbly cookies. Avoid overmixing the dough, as this can lead to cookies due to gluten development. Consider adding an egg or a tablespoon of milk to help bind all the ingredients together in your recipe.
What is the recipe for 2 ingredient peanut butter cookies?
Now let’s talk about making 2 ingredient peanut butter cookies! Mix 1 cup of peanut butter with 1 cup of powdered sugar until they form a dough consistency, then shape the dough into balls and flatten them with a fork. Bake at 350F for 9 to 11 minutes.
How do you make a peanut butter cookie in a mug?
To bake peanut butter cookies in a mug, start by melting 1 tablespoon of butter and combining it with 1 tablespoon each of peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt in a microwave mug. Mix in 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1 egg yolk until blended. Add 3 tablespoons of flour to the mixture. Microwave it for about 45 to 60 seconds until the cookie is fully cooked.
Can additional peanut butter be incorporated into the cookie mix for a richer flavor?
Yes! Adding a quarter cup of creamy peanut butter to the mix before baking will intensify the peanut flavor and create a more indulgent cookie.
How can I make Betty Crocker peanut butter cookie mix if I don’t have eggs?
You can use a quarter cup of unsweetened applesauce or a mashed banana as a substitute for each egg called for in the recipe. This will keep the cookies moist and add a slight fruity flavor.