Peanut Butter Cookies

These yummy cookies are a recipe from my good friend Rebecca. She adds peanut butter chips to the dough to make them even more peanut buttery! Since I can no longer eat chocolate, these soft cookies make up for my chocolate cravings--well almost. I try to be enthusiastic about all desserts not chocolate, so that the kids won't miss the chocolate that I no longer bake!

Me: Chloe! I'm going to make some peanut butter cookies. You like peanut butter cookies don't you?

Chloe: Oh yes! They're the best Mom. I mean they smell so good! I just love peanut butter cookies! (then very thoughtfully and somewhat hesitant to express her opinion) Well......actually, my favorite is double chocolate brownies.

Okay, okay, so they aren't chocolate, but really, you must give them a try!

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 t. vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I substituted 1/2 the flour with whole wheat--yum!)
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt

Directions
Cream the butter, shortening, and sugars. Add eggs and blend. Add peanut butter and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and stir until well blended. Measure out tablespoonfuls of dough and roll into balls. Place 3 inches apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. Make criss-cross pattern with fork. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 8 -10 minutes until set, but not hard. Do not overbake. Leave on sheets 2 minutes before removing. Cool and store in covered container.