Peanut Butter Cookies

Here marks recipe 2 in the "count down to Christmas baking" series of posts. Delicious peanut butter cookies. They are also known as "criss-cross cookies", in case you didn't know. At least they are according to my boyfriend. He sometimes is correct.

This is the peanut butter cookie recipe I grew up with. No other recipe can compare. If you over-bake them, however, they will get rock hard and hurt your teeth. Try to avoid doing that, okay? Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Cookies (Printer-friendly PDF Version)

1 C shortening

1 C granulated sugar

1 C brown sugar (packed)

1 C peanut butter

2 eggs

1 t vanilla

2 1/2 C flour

1 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

First, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Cream together the shortening, sugars, and peanut butter.

Add the eggs and vanilla. Mix until just combined.

Add half of the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Repeat with the remaining half of the flour mixture.

Form the dough into small balls and place on a cookie sheet. Flatten the dough balls by pressing a criss-cross pattern into them with a fork dipped in flour.

Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet a minute or two before placing the cookies on a cooling rack.

Makes 4 dozen cookies.