Peanut Butter Thumbprints

When life gets really crazy, I always try to make more of an effort to luxuriate in the little things. Lately I've been taking comfort in big mugs of tea in the morning (like my personalized mug? my mom's friend made it for me when I was 6!), study breaks with friends where we just sit around and talk about girly things, making really awesome work-out playlists, doing spins and leaps in dance, working on this blog, and really good cookies. Little things like this make the weeks leading up to finals so much more bearable.

My friend Melissa and I have recently been baking together whenever we need a break from work. What this means, really, is that I bake while she reads Cosmo and keeps me company. It's a nice little tradition :)

Yesterday, we made these amazing cookies! They just go to show that you can never go wrong with peanut butter and chocolate.

Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies

makes about 30 cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup natural peanut butter
1/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla

filling: chocolate chips, nuts or jelly

1. Preheat the oven to 350º and line two cookies sheets with parchment paper.

2. Mix the dry ingredients (minus the sugar) in a medium bowl. Combine the peanut butter, oil, syrup, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl and stir until creamy.

3. Add the dry into the wet and stir well- you may want to use your hands.

4. Roll the dough into balls about 1-1 1/2 inches wide and place them on the cookies sheets. Then press your thumb into the center of each ball and fill the center with anything you like! I used chocolate chips, but jelly/jam would also be delicious.

5. Bake cookies for about 15 minutes or until they start to turn golden brown. Let them cool for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a plate, or else they will crumble! They harden as they cool.

These cookies are the perfect mix of salty and sweet, so they will satisfy any late-night-study craving.