Ragged Peanut Bar Cookies

Whether you go for the ragged, break apart look or carefully cut these cookies into nice bars or squares, they are very nice to relax with along side a cup of coffee. They also make an interesting and fun presentation with their ragged edges on a cookie plate.

Ragged Peanut Bar Cookies

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
½ cup butter
½ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons beaten egg (save the remaining egg)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon orange extract
½ cup dry-roasted peanuts, finely chopped

Additional ½ cup dry-roasted peanuts for topping.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Stir together the flour, baking soda, and cinnamon. Set aside.

Cream together the butter and sugar. Add in the 2 tablespoons of egg, orange zest, and extracts.

Fold in the first ½ cup of peanuts and the dry ingredients, mixing well. Press out the dough on a vegetable oil sprayed or parchment-lined baking sheet to approximately 15x10 inches. Brush with the remaining egg and sprinkle on the remaining ½ cup of peanuts. Press lighting into dough and bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until golden. Break into pieces while still warm.

Ideas . . .

When the cookie is still warm, you can glaze it with an orange icing or a plain icing with vanilla and some cinnamon.

For a fancier presentation, you can cut the cookie into squares or bars while warm. I find a pizza cutter works great for this.

Allergic or just don't care for peanuts, you can use walnut, almonds, or pecans instead.