Chocolate-Peanut Cookies

• FAST
• MAKE-AHEAD
• VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

1. 1/2 pound good-quality semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
2. 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3. 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4. 1 teaspoon baking soda
5. 1/2 teaspoon salt
6. 1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
7. 1 cup light brown sugar
8. 1/2 cup granulated sugar
9. 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
10. 2 large eggs
11. 2 large egg whites
12. 1 cup unsalted peanuts (about 6 ounces)
13. 1 cup peanut butter chips (about 6 ounces)

1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Lightly butter 2 large baking sheets. In a small bowl, melt the chocolate over a pan of simmering water; let cool.
2. In another small bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla and blend until smooth. Add the melted chocolate, whole eggs and egg whites and mix until incorporated. Stir in the dry ingredients just until combined. Add the peanuts and peanut butter chips.
3. For each cookie, scoop a scant 1/4 cup of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between the cookies. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until just set in the middle; bake about 3 minutes longer for crisper cookies. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.