A Winter Treat

I love baking cookies, especially in the winter. There's just something so wonderful about coming in from the cold and smelling freshly baked goodies. I hope you'll give these cookies a try. They're so good, easy to make and also to give as a special treat to someone.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 cups cocoa
1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick softened butter
2 eggs
1/2 cup peanut butter

Cream the butter, eggs and peanut butter until smooth. Add the brown sugar and powdered sugar; mix well. Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Add to the creamed mixture. Mix Well; dough will be stiff. I usually at this point use my hands to knead the ingredients until I have a smooth dough. Chill for a few minutes, (10 to 15 min.).
I use a small ice cream scoop to make balls of dough, place flat side down on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. My oven runs hot so I bake then 15 to 18 min. You don't want to overcook them. Makes about 40 cookies.

This mix also works well to pack into a large mouth canning jar. You can add a tag with the instructions and give as a gift. Here's how to do it.

In a 1 quart, large mouth canning jar, layer the first two ingredients, packing down as tightly as possible. Add cocoa, pack down, then wipe the inside of the jar with a paper towel to remove any excess cocoa from the sides. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, add to the jar, pack down tightly. Attach your tag with these instructions:
Cream together 1 stick softened butter, 2 eggs and 1/2 cup peanut butter; stir in dry mix. Shape into balls and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Makes approximately 2-1/2 to 3 dozen cookies.

This would make a wonderful teacher gift, housewarming gift or hostess gift. I hope you'll try them one cold afternoon and take the time to sit with a cup of hot tea and a cookie or two.

Enjoy! ~Diane~Tallowberry Primitives