Peanut Butter Dreams

It’s difficult getting back into the exercise swing after a few good days off. Monday was the first, “back at it” day.  Aerobics and weights.  Tuesday resulted in a morning when I was so sound asleep, completely not expecting the alarm. I was dreaming that I was having a really great discussion with Julia Childs. No kidding! 

The early rising and the early to bed routine is getting back to normal and my eyes are more wide open than they were earlier in the week.  I’ve been running and using the elliptical. Weight workouts and then running or jogging with Shane. Getting outside and going a bit faster is easier since the weather is colder and just to stay warm, we have to keep moving.

Speaking of cold weather, that triggers the holiday baking urges.  The following recipe begins my holiday cookie baking.

There just has to be one peanut butter cookie in the holiday cookie selection.  This year, I worked a little magic with a recipe from Hershey’s Foodservice.  I added, subtracted, mixed longer, stirred less, chopped more… the result was a Peanut Butter Dream.

Makes about 4 –5 dozen cookies

• 1/2 cup Butter –room temperature
• 1 cup Dark Brown Sugar – do not pack
• 1 1/4 cup Smooth Peanut Butter
• 4 whole eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 bag Reese’s Clusters – or you can use “Turtles” (a flat chocolate with nuts and caramel) – Chopped
• 1/2 bag Reese’s Miniature Peanut Butter cups – chopped

Preheat the oven to 305 F convection or 350 F standard.  Line cookie sheets with foil and leave UNgreased.

Mix together the first 3 ingredients (butter to peanut butter). Mix for about 2 minutes.

Add the eggs and vanilla and mix another 2 minutes.

Combine the dry ingredients from flour to the salt. Add to the wet mixture and beat all for 2 minutes.

Stir in the chopped clusters and peanut butter cups.

Drop by 1 1/2 teaspoons on the cookie sheet, 2” apart. Bake for 10 minutes convection and 15 minutes standard. Let cool before removing. This is a delicate, sweet cookie. You will see it disappear so don’t leave them alone for too long.

I think the favorite cookie in my sister’s family that she bakes every year is the Italian Horn cookies. I have to admit, they are very good, but not my favorite.  I like the little pecan pie like cookies she makes.  “Sue!  hint, hint…. can you hear me?”

What’s your favorite holiday cookie?

Joanne