peanut butter crinkles

this peanut butter cookie recipe is a staple.  i was raised on this cookie.  okay, not really, but almost.  my mom made these cookies frequently.  somehow they ended up becoming a "christmas cookie" in our family, but they really are much more than that.  in fact, they're so much more than that, that i don't make them for christmas.  i make them all year.  they're that good.  i didn't even like them as a child.  i guess my mom made them so often that i didn't realize just how good they were.  and now i'm an adult and i can't get enough of them.  
 
they're supposed to be made with a hershey kiss placed in the center, but since i rarely have hershey kisses, i opt for 2-3 large milk chocolate chips.  or i completely remove the chocolate all together.  don't be a hater.  i like chocolate.  i promise.  i really only like it in little bits, though.  and sometimes sweets that are good enough, don't need any chocolate at all.  sometimes.  and sometimes they do.  that's why sometimes i put the chocolate on and sometimes i don't.  you get the point.  try them with or without chocolate and decide for yourself.  sometimes i even bring them to a whole new level and make ice cream sandwiches with them.  that will make for some happy kids this summer break!



peanut butter crinkles

1 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
sugar, for rolling
chocolate kisses or chips (optional)

in bowl with mixer at medium speed, beat first 6 ingredients until fluffy.  at low speed beat in next 4 ingredients.  shape into 1" balls; roll in sugar.  place 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheets.  bake in a 350 degree oven 10 minutes or until lightly browned around the bottom.  Don't overcook!  immediately press chocolate kiss or chips into the top of cookie, if using.  cool and store in airtight container.  makes 6 dozen.