Soft & Buttery Almond Butter Cookies (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Cookie Base

01 - 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 cup creamy almond butter
03 - 1 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 cup packed light brown sugar
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
08 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
09 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Optional Additions

10 - ½ cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
11 - ½ cup chopped almonds
12 - Sprinkling of coarse sea salt

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, creamy almond butter, granulated sugar, and packed light brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure even incorporation.
03 - Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until combined. The mixture should be smooth and creamy.
04 - In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to avoid tough cookies.
06 - If using chocolate chips or chopped almonds, gently fold them into the cookie dough using a spatula until evenly distributed.
07 - Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading. For uniform cookies, use a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop.
08 - Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft. Don't overbake if you want them to remain soft and chewy.
09 - Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows them to firm up and prevents breaking.

# Notes:

01 - These Soft & Buttery Almond Butter Cookies are irresistibly tender with a rich almond flavor.
02 - Natural, unsweetened almond butter works best, allowing you to control the overall sweetness of the cookies. Make sure it's well stirred and not too oily for the best consistency.
03 - For accurate measurements, pack the brown sugar when measuring and spoon and level the flour or use a kitchen scale.
04 - Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their softness.