Viral Vegan Soft N' Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

(Now with Beavers)

It always cracks me up that this is one of my most requested recipes from friends and family. As I've grown as a baker and cook, I honestly expected people’s asks would become more complex — more... dare I say... interesting?

Without a doubt, people ask for these peanut butter cookies. The recipe’s burned into my brain at this point. They’re easy-peasy, and these bad boys do not disappoint.

This may be controversial, but I'm not a huge fan of crispy peanut butter cookies — and that’s how they’re usually made. In the past, it made me think peanut butter cookies just weren’t for me, even though I’m a BIG peanut butter fan. In fact, during the fall semester of my sophomore year in college, I ate NINE POUNDS of peanut butter.

That being said, I was freshly vegan and had no idea how to eat.

Anyway, I’d only ever really encountered crispy versions, which was always kind of “sigh”-inducing. But you know what? I was DONE with the sighs.

It became my mission to fix this — to create vegan, soft, and absolutely bangin' peanut butter cookies.

And funny enough, that whole cookie mission made me think about how often I settle for things that aren’t quite right — in baking, in illustration, and in life.

It made me realize something: I spend a lot of time making things I think people want… and not nearly enough making what I want.

As a chronic people-pleaser, being an illustrator and a vegan are two very tough things. I find it hard to create things that are just for me — things that defy what's "in" and expected online. On top of that, I NEVER want to inconvenience others. So, my lil hamster brain jumps on one of those hamster wheels, spinning with other people’s opinions — leading me to create things I think will please others (or the algorithm).

Inevitably, I never fall in love with the creations that come from that part of me. I adore creating for others — but when it’s driven by pressure or the need for approval, I start to lose sight of what I actually want to say. What really moves me forward is creating work that feels fully mine — the kind that helps me find myself as an artist, even if it feels a little selfish.

SO THAT'S WHAT THESE COOKIES ARE:

My attempt to get off that hamster wheel, even for a minute.

AND! That’s what Plant Oven, this newsletter, is too.

It’s something no one asked for, but it makes me incredibly happy. It combines what I love to do (illustrate) with something I care deeply about (vegan stuff, sustainability, the environment).

As a side note, I got toothpaste in my eye this morning. Like directly, smack-dab in the middle of my pupil. GAH! It stung. Has that ever happened to you?? I gotta know.

Without further ado:

THE VIRAL VEGAN SOFT N' CHEWY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

(now with beavers)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup peanut butter, creamy or crunchy (i like creamy!)

• 1 cup vegan brown sugar (i dig coconut)

• 6 tablespoons almond milk, room temp

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 cup flour (unbleached all-purpose or 1–1 gluten free)

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• Generous pinch of mineral salt (only use if nut butter is unsalted)

Also, you might be asking yourself — what’s with all the beavers?

Honestly… I don’t have a great answer. I was thinking about peanut butter cookies, and it hit me: a beaver could totally use its tail instead of a fork to make those classic criss-cross marks.

Other than that? It’s just for fun.

BUT it would feel wrong to not add in a fun fact about beavers…

DID YOU KNOW

Beavers can hold their breath for up to 15 minutes under water???

When I was reading up on beavers, I also learned that they prefer aspen trees and willow to eat… I don’t know why that makes me so emotional, but I could literally cry thinking of it. Also I guess that makes beavers vegan? Buddies!

Putting together this first issue was actually such a joy. Writing it, drawing the recipe, pulling it all into one place — it just felt really good to make. I’m so happy it’s out in the world now… and there’s a little extra below, too.

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