We are introduced, at an early age, to the sweet wondernous of a cookie. From teething cookies to soothe the swollen aching gums of incoming incisors, onto animal crackers purchased in rectangular-shaped boxes bearing a string handle for easy toting by little fingers. Deciding which part of the animal should be eaten first-the trunk of the elephant or the tail of a lion-depended on how hungry one was. Savor each and every one or simply gobble them down as fast as possible.

My next cookie memory would be the ever famous, possibly all-time favorite, the chocolate chip cookie. There is nothing better than to bite into a round circle of baked dough sprinkled with gooey melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. A chocolate chip cookie can dry tears, heal broken hearts, mend scraped knees and elbows and solve sibling arguments. Most of the problems in the world could likely be solved by a properly baked, right out of the oven, chocolate chip cookie. The power of a cookie is underestimated.

I will attempt in the next 365 days to prepare and comment on a year’s worth of different cookies-one for each day. My goal is to share with others my extreme love of cookies-baking them and especially eating them! Feel free to send me your favorite recipe, your earliest cookie memories, or how cookies may have influenced your life. Cookies Rule!


Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Cookie Recipe #32 - PBJ Cookies


Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies are like eating your favorite sandwich as a kid (maybe it still is), yet replacing the bread with a cookie. Fill your child's (or yours) lunchbox with these goodies and you will be the most popular parent amongst your girl or boy's school friends.
I used my basic peanut butter cookie recipe, indented the center of each and filled with grape jelly. You may use any kind of jelly, jam or preserves - whatever you like best!
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened, 1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3 eggs, 3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup favorite jam, jelly or preserves.
Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In mixing bowl, beat butter and peanut butter together; add sugars and continue beating. Add vanilla and eggs and combine. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt over bowl and mix thoroughly. Scraping up a tablespoonful of dough with spoon, roll into a ball with fingers and place on ungreased baking sheets. Make an indention in the center of each cookie with your thumb or finger. Fill the hole with a small amount of jelly (jam or preserves). Toss into a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 9-10 minutes or until cookies are slightly browned. Remove from oven; allow to cool on sheet for a minute or two, then transfer to cooling racks.
You could also top the cookies with a few chopped peanuts before baking, if desired.
Makes about 5 dozen 3 inch cookies.
Cookies Rule!!!

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