Peanut Buttery Goodness

It's common knowledge....for those who know my mom that is, that there is ONE kind of cookie that is almost always in her cookie jar. And when it's not, well let's just say she quickly takes care of that. :) 

 It's the special one my grandpa taught her how to make when she was little. My mom got assigned this recipe by her father, and her sister was tasked with another (yummy chocolate chip). As little girls, each of them memorized their specific cookie recipe so they could make them for their daddy whenever it was their turn. Adorable right?!

And while it seems like a simple recipe, to a young girl it was quite an accomplishment I'm sure! My mom still uses many of her dad's recipes including his fantastically flaky pie crust recipe...so good in fact that a chef I know (ahem) asked for the recipe after tasting one of her pies -- an upcoming post I promise.

 

So for my son's birthday I knew I had to mail him "the" Peanut Butter Cookies she makes. I topped each one with a little Reese's piece before baking, simply because hey it's cute. 

 

...and them stacked them into a Jif peanut butter jar for mailing.  This Peanut Buttery goodness is just one of the things he will see when he opens his "birthday in a box" this year...and is by far the yummiest gift in that little box. Enjoy my sweet boy -- Happy 24th birthday!


Peanut Butter Cookies
1 c butter (can use shortening but why when you can use butter?)
1c peanut butter
1c sugar
1c brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 c flour
1t baking powder
1t baking soda
1/2 t salt


Mix butter and sugars well, add in eggs and mix well. In separate bowl mix the remaining ingredients (umm I just piled them on top of the sugar mixture...oops) and then add both mixtures together until just combined. Do not over mix. Roll into balls or use a cookie scoop. Place on cookie sheet and press with fork.
Bake 375 for approx 12 minutes (or much less for a softer chewier cookie). 
Mom's delish add-ins: Mix in 1 pkg of choc chips and 1 pkg peanut butter chips. You'll be happy you did. :)