Some like it hot!! Cayenne Peanut Chocolate Chip Cookies

  One of my greatest pleasures is experimenting in the kitchen. I find coming up with new recipes to be a thrilling adventure. I know, I know it sounds a bit over the top. But all you need to do is witness my unbridled excitement when an experiment turns out to be a delicious keeper to understand this fully. It's true. I'm a nerd. I've been one for a long time. There's no turning back now.
  Here's where these cookies come into play. I was thinking, which I do a lot, about Jeni's ice cream. In particular, a flavor that combined peanuts and cayenne pepper. And since I was also craving chocolate chip cookies....Well, you know where this is going...Cayenne Peanut Chocolate Chip Cookies.
  Let me just say, these cookies do have some heat but interestingly it comes on toward the end. I think they are very tasty but I would use a small scoop when baking. A cookie that is too large might be a bit overwhelming.

In a mixing bowl cream together 3/4 cup brown sugar and 6 TBSP butter.

Add 1 large egg and 1 and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Blend until creamy.

Add 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1 cup flour. Mix until combined.

Use a spatula to mix in 1/2 cup chopped peanuts and 1 cup chocolate chips.

Use a small sized scoop to place them on a cookie sheet. Bake for about 9 minutes at 375.

Let cookies rest on the cookie sheet for several minutes. Then move the to a wire rack to cool completely.

The Ingredients:

6 TBSP unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 and 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup AP flour
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
1 cup chocolate chips

To Make:
  
Preheat oven to 375 F.

In a mixing bowl cream together  butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract. Mix until well blended. Add baking soda, cayenne pepper and salt. Slowly add flour until well blended. Fold in peanuts and chocolate chips with a spatula.

Using a small cookie scoop, drop the dough on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for about 9 minutes.

Makes about 3 dozen smallish cookies.