A Christmas Favorite: Peanut Butter Cookies

Every year at Christmas, I make a baking list. It includes all the cookies that I plan hope to bake. Although I always envy the fancily decorated cookies that people bake, I am just as disappointed that people don't bake the classics at Christmas. Rarely do people bake chocolate chip, peanut butter, or snickerdoodle cookies. I suppose it's because Christmas is a special occasion which calls for special cookies rather than the  old standbys. But I happen to be a big fan of the old standbys, and so last night I made a batch of peanut butter cookies.

A Christmas Favorite: Peanut Butter Cookies

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

INGREDIENTS
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
1 cup peanut butter (smooth and creamy or crunchy) If you like more texture in your cookies, go with crunchy)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Cream together butter, peanut butter and sugars. Beat in eggs one at a time. Scrape the sides of the mixing bowl and incorporate into wet ingredients.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix with wet ingredients until well blended. Refrigerate batter for 30 minutes.
4. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Flatten each ball with a fork, making a criss-cross pattern. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies begin to brown. Be careful to not over-bake.