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Thumbprint Keto Peanut Butter Cookies

The perfect keto peanut butter cookies with a silky smooth chocolate thumbprint filling. This is my version of a peanut butter blossom cookie redone low carb and fabulous. You’ll love it!

Overhead plate of keto peanut butter thumbprint cookies

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me!

We’ve made it to cookie number four in the 12 Days of Keto Christmas Cookies! Now really, chocolate and peanut butter, what could be better?!

I’ve branched out a little with this cookie, and you’ll find instead of my go-to gluten-free almond flour I’ve opted for peanut butter and peanut powder in this recipe. Actually, I find it gives it a deeper peanutty flavor different than traditional peanut butter cookie recipes, and I love it!

Peanut butter and I have had a stormy relationship. I’ve always loved peanut butter, peanuts, chocolate with peanuts, you know! However, we had a major impasse when we discovered at age two my daughter had a severe peanut allergy.

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Peanut allergies

Food allergies are such a terrifying thing so we parted ways with the dear peanut for several years. Thankfully, she has since grown out of the peanut allergy although we have other allergies and food sensitivities to contend with. 

According to our allergist, only about 25% of children with a peanut allergy grow out of it so it was HUGE that we were in that percentage. I am so thankful not only not to have to be on guard with anything peanut, but also selfishly because I LOVE PEANUTS so much I can indulge in fabulously delightful keto peanut butter cookies and other snacks.

As a side note, I’m encouraged to see so many studies going on to prevent or even end such allergies with a vaccine! Here’s to these being successful!

Thumbprint Keto Peanut Butter Cookies are the ultimate in Christmas cookies. Rich chocolate and peanut butter in a healthier keto diet version. Low carb, sugar-free, and gluten-free holiday cookies. #glutenfreecookies #ketorecipes

In a hurry?

Scroll down to the bottom for the printable recipe or PIN it here for later!

How to decorate the Christmas tree: Family traditions

As I write this I can see big puffy flakes of snow blowing around outside and beginning to stick. The Christmas tree is up and lit, and Alexa is playing some Michael Bublé Christmas music for me this morning. It does seem rather perfect. 

Speaking of Christmas trees, there are so many different family traditions associated with putting up and decorating the Christmas tree. Did you know the first Christmas trees in Germany were said to be decorated with edible Christmas treats like apples and gingerbread? I love a traditional tree with its home-made ornaments, popcorn and cranberry garland, paper chains with an angel or star at the top.

When do you decorate your Christmas tree? Especially in England, it used to be a big event and part of the Christmas festivities for the family to gather together on Christmas Eve and decorate the beautiful freshly cut fir tree. Today, we tend to put ours up just after Thanksgiving or at the beginning of December.

A Nutcracker Christmas tree

A Nutcracker Christmas tree, The Grace Museum, Abilene, Texas

Our Family Christmas Tree Traditions

In our house, we have our own rituals as I’m sure you do your own! It’s always amusing for me to see my kids declare something’s become a tradition we have to do every year after doing it once. However, for them, it makes it all the more special and a fun thing to look forward to. I love to celebrate anything that brings the family together.

For example, every year the tree is put up after Thanksgiving. The first day we put the tree up. The next day the lights go on. Then, the first Saturday after that, we ceremoniously bring up all the ornaments and decorations from the basement.

Meanwhile, someone turns on that brilliant movie White Christmas, and we place the ornaments on the tree as Bing Crosby croons in the background. Well actually, there’s much discussion/arguing about the ornaments as they go up! According to my children, there are certain ornaments assigned to different members of the family only they are allowed to put on the tree.

During December, we always make a new ornament and get a new one from church. Then there’s always the new offering from the school craft. It goes on and it’s fabulous. Sound familiar!?

We are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.

🍽 Equipment

To make these thumbprint keto peanut butter cookies you’ll need:

Thumbprint keto peanut butter cookies | Perfect for Christmas parties and your keto diet. Deliciously, low carb, gluten-free, and sugar-free. #ketotreat #ketodietrecipes

Man cannot live by bread alone; he must have peanut butter.

– James A. Garfield

🥘 Ingredients

Chocolate Filling

  • 2 oz unsweetened baking chocolate (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup powdered natural sweetener
  • 1 pinch salt

🔪 Instructions – How to make thumbprint keto peanut butter cookies

Let’s make some magical Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies with Chocolate Ganache because, well, chocolate and peanut butter are the ultimate dynamic duo. These babies are simple, satisfying, and perfect for when you need a little low-carb sweet treat without burning down the kitchen or your sanity.

Here’s how to do it:

Start with 2 cups of the good stuff: organic, natural smooth peanut butter (the unsweetened kind, because we’re in control here). Toss in 1 teaspoon of vanilla—you know, for that little flavor boost—and 1 cup of your favorite natural sweetener (think allulose, erythritol, monk fruit, or whatever makes your keto heart sing). Mix those together until they’re one big peanut buttery party.

Now, grab 2 eggs and beat them in one at a time—you’ve got this. Next, sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of unflavored gelatin (this helps keep things chewy and dreamy) and 1 cup of peanut butter powder (or Equip Peanut Butter Protein Powder, if you’re feeling extra fancy). At this point, I recommend whipping out your stand mixer or trusty hand mixer because this dough means business. Mix, mix, mix until everything is smooth, doughy, and lump-free.

Once you’ve got a nice dough, roll it into tablespoon-sized balls and give each one a quick spin in some granulated sweetener—like they’re little snowballs but without the frostbite. Place these beauties on a baking sheet about 2 inches apart.

Now bake at 325°F for about 10-12 minutes. You’re looking for edges that are just starting to get golden and toasty. When they’re out of the oven, take the back of a tablespoon (or your thumb, if you’re feeling brave) and gently press down the center of each cookie to make a little well. Let them cool completely—you don’t want melty chocolate chaos just yet.

Low carb chocolate ganache filling

While the cookies are cooling, let’s tackle the chocolate ganache (cue the heavenly music 🎶). Heat up a bit of heavy cream (about ½ cup should do it) on the stove until it’s almost simmering. Then whisk in your sweetener of choice because we’re sweet but not that sweet. Pour the warm cream over chopped unsweetened chocolate (about 4 ounces) in a heat-proof bowl, and let it sit for 5 minutes—no peeking, trust the process. Stir it up into glossy, silky perfection.

Once your cookies are cool and your ganache is set, spoon about a teaspoon of that decadent chocolate into each thumbprint. Give them a moment to set up—if you can resist eating one immediately—and boom: you’ve just made magic.

These cookies are chef’s kiss good and totally perfect for snack attacks, afternoon pick-me-ups, or impressing your book club. Enjoy!

Life is better with fresh baked cookies.

– Unknown

Keto Peanut Butter Cookies and other traditions

What are your favorite peanut butter cookies? Do you prefer the plain and simple traditional cookie or a chocolate or cream addition? Personally, I can go either way and love them all.

My husband’s favorite dessert is a non-keto peanut butter pie with an Oreo crust and thick chocolate topping. I’ve luckily come up with my own Keto Peanut Butter Pie that can easily compete!

What other peanut butter or other sweet creations would you like to see keto-ized?

All it takes is a little preparation, and you’ll be ready to enjoy the holidays without being tempted by all the other sweet treats. I hope you try out these thumbprint keto peanut butter cookies and enjoy them as much as I do! Cheers.

Pin this low carb recipe here!:

Thumbprint Keto Peanut Butter Cookies are a delicious Christmas cookie recipe, a low carb, gluten-free, sugar-free option to help you stay on the keto diet. #ketocookies #lowcarbchristmas

Tag me in your keto recipe pics on Instagram @explorermomma.

If you LOVE this keto dessert recipe please consider giving it a five-star rating in the review area below!

Keto peanut butter cookies on a Christmas plate. #peanutbuttercookies #ketodiet

Thumbprint Keto Peanut Butter Cookies

Yield: 18
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Cooling time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 44 minutes

The perfect keto peanut butter cookies with a silky smooth chocolate thumbprint filling. This is my version of a peanut butter blossom cookie redone low carb and fabulous. You'll love it!

Ingredients

Chocolate Filling

  • 2 oz unsweetened baking chocolate (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup powdered natural sweetener
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Mix together the peanut butter, vanilla, and sweetener. Beat in the eggs one at a time to combine.
  2. Add in the peanut butter powder (or protein powder) and gelatin, continuously mixing with a stand or hand-held mixer until a dough forms and no lumps remain.
  3. Form the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and roll in granulated sweetener. 
  4. Place on the baking pan 2 inches apart.
  5. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-14 minutes or until the edges start to brown.
  6. Remove from the oven and and press down the center of each cookie with the back of a tablespoon make a well for the filling. Let cool completely.
  7. Meanwhile, warm the heavy cream on the stove until it's almost simmering and whisk in the sweetener.
  8. Pour the cream mixture over the chopped unsweetened chocolate in a heat-proof bowl and leave for 5 five minutes. Stir together to make the ganache.
  9. Put about a teaspoon of chocolate ganache in the thumbprint of each peanut butter cookie and let cool to set.

Notes

Nutrition Facts

Servings 18.0 Calories 140  Total Fat 11 g Saturated Fat 4 g Monounsaturated Fat 1 g Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 41 mg Sodium 75 mg Potassium 122 mg Total Carbohydrate 6 g Dietary Fiber 2 g Sugars 2 g Protein 6 g

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 140Unsaturated Fat: 0g

*Nutrition Facts per MyFitnessPal.com. For most accurate facts, calculate your own with the exact ingredients you use in the recipe.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @explorermomma on Instagram and hashtag it #explorermomma. Thanks a bunch!

Keto gingerbread cookies are the perfect cookie to make with kids!

Keto gingerbread cookies are the perfect family Christmas activity. Low carb, gluten-free cookies to help you stick to your keto diet. #lowcarbchristmas #ketodesserts

12 Days of Keto Christmas Cookies

  1. Coconut Macaroons
  2. Butter Spritz Cookies
  3. Gingerbread Cookies
  4. Thumbprint Peanut Butter Cookies

Nutrition Disclaimer

Please be aware I am not a medical specialist or nutritional professional. On this blog, I share recipes and what works for me. Please do not take anything on this blog as medical advice and always consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I use MyFitnessPal.com to calculate nutrition facts as a courtesy to my readers, and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count because does not affect my own blood glucose levels.
 
This is as accurate as possible, but it’s best to independently calculate nutritional information on your own with the specific ingredients you use. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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