Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have a love / hate relationship with my introversion. I am, to a fault, classically introverted: I prefer nights in to nights out, stretchy pants to makeup, listening to speaking, and spending time alone/recharging over going out on a Friday night.

I’ll be in my bedroom, making no noise and pretending that I don’t exist*. By choice.

It’s not that I’m shy, per se. I used to be, when I was little, but with age I’ve stopped caring about what other people think and more about what I actually want. I’m not shy, I’m just quiet. In large groups or parties I tend to be the one by the food, trying to avoid talking to those I don’t know. Oops, my mouth is full, I can’t have a conversation.

It’s not that I’m afraid to talk to people I don’t know, it’s just that I’m genuinely awkward and am absolutely terrible at small talk. It seems so simple, but I just can’t handle it.

*Bonus points if you got the Harry Potter reference. We can be friends. 

I worked in a big corporate office for a while and I got pretty good at the dreaded Water Cooler Talk, perfecting the classics: “Man, this weather, eh?” “How was your weekend?” “What are you up to this weekend?”

Wednesdays were the worst; since it’s smack dab in the middle of the week, asking how someone’s weekend was/will be seemed strange. Too far from the past weekend, and too far away from the upcoming weekend to discuss. On Monday you can complain about Mondays. On Tuesday you can complain about Mondays. On Thursday you can talk about the upcoming weekend. On Friday you can really talk about the upcoming weekend. But on Wednesdays? Nothing small-talk-worthy comes out of a Wednesday.

Once I used up all those classic water cooler topics, silence always followed.

So on one hand, while I embrace being introverted and I actually enjoy it (reading and silence are fun!), I envy those who can chat to anyone about anything.

You know, the ones who walk into a party and have no problem mingling, introducing themselves to strangers and talking up a storm. The ones who have endless segways to interesting topics and funny stories, who never experience those awkward, drawn out silences. The ones who people remember specifically from some crazy story that they told.

What must that be like?

If I’m in a smaller group, with a close few friends, I have no issue being loud and cracking sarcastic jokes. It’s just the whole crowd thing – the people-I’m-not-close-with thing – that gets to me.

I think that’s why I enjoy baking so much. It’s just me and Klaus (my stand mixer) (yes I name my most beloved appliances), in my kitchen, sifting and mixing and rolling and baking. It’s relaxing, theraputic, and quiet. No small talk required.

The end result is a stress-free mind, a house that smells amazing, and a yummy treat to pig out on. Winner winner peanut butter cookie dinner.

These cookies are my classic, go-to recipe that I whip up when I’ve had a bad day. They’re insanely easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients, all of which you probably have in your pantry right now. No need to make a special trip to the grocery store and make awkward small talk with the cashier. Hooray!

I am constantly in awe of these cookies and how they turn out. Every time I make them, I feel skeptical about the batter – hello, no flour! – and questioningly peer into the oven as they bake. Once they come out of the oven, I’m always surprised. Science is amazing. No flour, no butter, no chilling of the dough required, and yet they’re insanely delicious. Crunchy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and laced with lots of chocolate chips and that irresistible peanut-butter-cookie crunch.

Have I mentioned I love peanut butter? It’s so versatile, and my GOD whoever was the first person to combine peanut butter and chocolate is my kind of hero.

I guarantee it’s impossible to eat just one of these cookies.

And fresh out of the oven? Heaven.

Like I said, these are my classic go-to comfort cookie. Had a bad day? Make these. Feeling stressed? Make these. Craving something YUMMY at 11 at night and don’t want to leave the house? Make these.

And hey, bring some to the office. No one will be able to stop talking about your generosity and insane baking skillz, so even if you’re terrible at the Water Cooler Talk, it won’t matter. Silence? Eat a cookie!