[ chewy and yummy! ]

CHRISTMAS BAKING would not be complete around here without peanut butter cookies. So I thought I'd begin my baking with these and if nothing else gets baked, it's all ok. I've tried a lot of peanut butter cookie recipes and this one is finally the perfect combination of crispy edges, chewy middle, enough peanut butter flavour and not too sweet.

Lisa's chewy peanut butter cookies

These cookies are super easy and are the perfect combination of crispy edges and chewy middle. If you use a cookie scoop, you'll get 4 dozen 2 1/2" cookies.

what you need:

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

1 1/2 cups peanut butter (crunchy works well!)

1 cup butter

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp hot water

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 eggs

how to:

Preheat oven to 350F (180C)

Mix together sugars, peanut butter and butter in a large bowl with hand mixer on low. Combine baking soda and hot water and add to the mixture. Mix well.

Mix in the eggs, vanilla and salt. Add the flour and mix until well combined.

Roll into balls or scoop out onto an ungreased (or parchment paper-lined) cookie sheet. Press with fork dipped in water to make criss-cross design. 

Bake for 8-10 minutes. Don't overbake - remove them when they still look not quite done for good chewiness (they'll be slightly golden brown only around the edges).

Let cool on pan for about 10 minutes and then move them to a rack to cool.

And there you have it! Easy peasy! You really must give these a try - they are full of yumminess!

lisa