Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (use light butter for fewer points)
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar (or substitute with a zero-calorie sweetener)
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (choose natural peanut butter for fewer points)
  • 1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (or all-purpose flour)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Additional granulated sugar for rolling (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the Oven:
    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars:
    • In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients:
    • Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
    • Stir in the creamy peanut butter until smooth.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
    • In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour (or all-purpose flour), baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Mix and Form Cookies:
    • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until well combined and a dough forms.
  6. Form Cookie Dough Balls:
    • Roll tablespoon-sized portions of dough into balls. If desired, roll each ball in additional granulated sugar to coat lightly.
  7. Bake the Cookies:
    • Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
    • Flatten each cookie slightly with a fork, creating a crisscross pattern on top.
  8. Bake and Cool:
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges.
    • Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. Enjoy:
    • Once cooled, serve and enjoy these nostalgic Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookies!

Tips to Keep the Points Low:

  • Use light butter: Opt for unsalted light butter to reduce fat and points.
  • Substitute sugars: Replace granulated sugar with a zero-calorie sweetener to lower points.
  • Choose natural peanut butter: Select natural peanut butter without added sugars or oils for fewer points.

Nutritional Information (per cookie, makes about 24 cookies):

  • Calories: 120
  • Protein: 3g
  • Carbohydrates: 14g
  • Fat: 6g
  • Fiber: 1g

Weight Watchers Points (per cookie):

  • WW PointsPlus: 3
  • WW SmartPoints: 5
  • WW Freestyle Points: 5

Enjoy these lighter Peanut Butter Lunch Lady Cookies as a delightful treat without compromising your Weight Watchers points!