Top Ten Cookie Recipes

Ingredients:
* 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour, sifted
* 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) room temperature
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup brown sugar
* 1 large egg
* 1 1/2 cups peanut butter (you may use creamy or chunky)
* 2 teaspoons vanilla (not imitation)
* 1/2 cup chopped peanuts, optional


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line baking sheet(s) with parchment paper or spray with vegetable shortening. Set aside.
3. Blend flour and baking soda together in bowl and set aside.
4. Using an electric mixer, beat butter until creamy.
5. Add brown and granulated sugars and beat until fluffy. Scrape bowl.
6. Beat in egg, peanut butter and vanilla and beat again.
7. With mixer on low-medium, slowly add flour and baking soda and blend well.
8. Add chopped peanuts if desired.
9. Measure out Tablespoon size balls of dough. Place dough on prepared baking sheet and press down lightly (not too thin).
10. Using the back of a fork, press lightly into cookies, then turn fork 90 degrees and press again making a criss-cross pattern on top of dough.
11. Bake in pre heated oven for 12-15 minutes, until firm and edges are very lightly browned. Do not over bake.
12. Transfer to cooling racks. When completely cool, store in air tight container.
Makes about 2 dozen cookies.