Nutrition Notes

Is Peanut Butter Good for You?

Natural peanut butter is simply ground-up peanuts—and peanuts are powerful little packages of satiating fiber, protein and healthy fats. They are also a good source of folate and magnesium. Like other plant foods, peanuts provide antioxidants, and eating them has been associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Eating peanuts may also help balance blood sugar, in part due to their protein, fat and fiber levels.

Is Maple Syrup Healthy?

Pure maple syrup is a natural sweetener that is made from boiling the sap of maple trees. Besides providing carbohydrates for energy, maple syrup also contains the mineral manganese—you’ll get 35% of your day’s worth in 1 tablespoon. Manganese plays a role in activating enzymes in your body that are responsible for breaking carbohydrates down so they can be used as fuel. Though it does provide some nutritional benefits, it's still considered an added sugar.

Are There Health Benefits of Using Whole-Wheat Flour?

Whole-wheat flour is made by grinding the entire wheat kernel, which preserves most of the kernel’s nutrition. This means that whole-wheat flour is considered a whole grain. Eating plenty of whole grains has been shown to support heart health and reduce chronic inflammation, thanks to the nutrients they contain, including antioxidants and fiber. And with most of us not getting enough fiber in our diets, choosing whole grains is a great way to boost our fiber intake.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

How Can I Tell When the Peanut Butter Cookies Are Done?

The peanut butter cookies are done when the edges are golden brown and the delicious smell of fresh-baked cookies fills your kitchen, about 10 to 12 minutes. The cookies harden as they cool, so it’s best to wait for them to cool completely before eating. Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Important Is It to Use Natural Peanut Butter Instead of Regular Peanut Butter?

We recommend using natural peanut butter, which is made with just peanuts and sometimes a little salt. Regular peanut butter often has added sugar and oils that will alter the nutritional profile of the recipe.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Jan Valdez

Ingredients

3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup crunchy natural peanut butter
3/4 cup pure maple syrup

Directions

Position racks in top third and lower third of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, nutmeg and salt together in a large bowl. Make a well in the mixture; add peanut butter and maple syrup to the well and stir until combined. Continue stirring, incorporating the flour mixture into the peanut butter mixture, until a dough forms, about 1 minute.

Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek
Shape the dough into 20 balls (about 2 tablespoons each); arrange the balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Using the back of a fork, flatten each ball slightly, creating a crisscross pattern with the fork tines.

Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek
Bake until fragrant and golden brown on the edges, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the baking sheets between the top and bottom racks halfway through. Let cool on the pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Joseph Wanek

To make ahead

Freeze dough balls on a large rimmed baking sheet until frozen, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a resealable plastic freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Bake at 350°F from frozen, adding 2 to 4 minutes to the total bake time. Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Equipment

Parchment paper

EatingWell.com, December 2023

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

288	Calories
14g	Fat
36g	Carbs
9g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 10
Serving Size 2 cookies
Calories 288
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 36g	13%
Dietary Fiber 4g	13%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 9g	18%
Total Fat 14g	18%
Saturated Fat 2g	11%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Vitamin A 0Âµg
Vitamin C 0mg	0%
Vitamin D 0Âµg
Vitamin E 1mg	9%
Folate 48Âµg
Vitamin K 0Âµg
Sodium 277mg	12%
Calcium 45mg	3%
Iron 1mg	7%
Magnesium 68mg	16%
Potassium 267mg	6%
Zinc 1mg	13%
Vitamin B12 0Âµg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.