Peanut Butter Cookies

What can I say?  I love peanut butter!  These cookies are not very popular in my household, but they sure are popular with me.    I baked a batch yesterday, took most of them with me to work, and kept a few for myself.  I thought they were tasty.  Chewy and not too sweet.  I’d like to share the recipe with you.

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

1. Cream butter, peanut butter , sugars and vanilla together
2. Add egg and mix
3. Sift flour with baking powder, soda, and salt
4. Mix into batter
5. Scoop onto cookie sheet, using a fork press criss cross pattern into cookie.
6. Bake @ 350 for 10 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 egg
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped

1. Cream butter, sugars, egg and vanilla.
2. Sift dry ingredients and mix into butter mixture
3. Add chocolate chips and nuts
4. Scoop onto greased cookie sheet and bake @ 350 for 10 – 12 minutes.

Oat Bran Cookies

Now before you pass on these cookies because of the name ” Oat bran “, let me tell you, they are delicious.  I tried them once and asked for the recipe.  I only do that if something is really good!  The recipe can be doubled, freeze the extras.

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup oat bran
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cups coconut
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup chocolate chips ( optional )
• 1 cup raisins ( optional )

1. Cream together butter, sugars, egg and vanilla.
2. Sift flour and mix together with remaining ingredients
3. Add dry mixture to creamed mixture and mix together.
4. Add raisins and chocolate chips
5. Scoop onto  greased cookie sheet and bake @ 350 F for 10 – 12 minutes.
6. Let cool on rack.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies ( out of the Cookie Jar )

Who can resist  the smell of fresh baked cookies?

I am a firm believer that where there are children in a house ( sorry Kevin and Ben, I still consider you my children )
there should be a full cookie jar on the kitchen counter. I have a cookie jar, but unfortunately most of the time it is empty. Well, tonight it is full. I’ve baked one of my favourite recipes, I’d like to share it with you.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

• 3/4 cup butter softened
• 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp. water
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2/3 cup all purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 3 cups oats
• 1 cup raisins

Cream butter, sugars, egg and water until light. Add vanilla.  Sift flour, salt, b.soda, and cinnamon, mix with oats.  Add to butter mixture and blend.  Add raisins, mix again.  Drop dough by heaping tablespoons onto greased cookie sheets.  Press flat for crisp cookies, leave mounded for chewy cookies.  ( I like to use a small ice-cream scoop )  Bake at 350 for 11-13 minutes.

Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

These cookies were a hit with the weary travelers on the way to Trinidad.  Thanks Katrina for the effort you put into making them all.  Cheryl, this recipe’s for you.

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 3/4 cups milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup quick or old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries.
• Directions Preheat oven to 375 F.   Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in small bowl.  Beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla extract in large bowl until creamy.  Beat om egg.  Gradually beat in flour mixture and milk.  Stir in morsels, oats and dried cranberries.   Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.  Bake for 10 to 14 minuts or until edges are crisp but centers are still soft.  Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
• notes:  I like to use a small ice-cream scoop to speed up the process.   If cookies are baked for 10 minutes they are chewy.  If baked for 14 minutes they become crispy and crunchy.