Best-Ever Peanut Butter Cookies

I took my son Cody to the library on Tuesday afternoon for our regular book selection extravaganza.  He usually selects books about trucks or something from the Berenstein Bears collection, but not this week.  Thanks to some careless re-shelving he found a kids cookbook that caught his attention because it only contained cookie recipes.  My son is a regular cookie monster, in fact, he's said that the only perfect food is a treat and it just so happens that cookies are near the top of his treat list.  To my surprise he begged to check out the cookbook.  He said he wanted to try out some of the recipes.  How could I resist?  So I agreed on the condition that he'd need to eat his fruits and vegetables at dinner if he wanted to taste the cookies.  I am a mom after all - what did he expect?

This recipe comes from the now infamous cookie cookbook, titled Bake the Best-Ever Cookies written by Sara A. Williamson.  Cody picked out which recipe to try and this was his top choice because he really likes peanut butter.  What can make a perfect food better?  That's right!  Peanut butter.  We made a huge mess together and giggled our way through the recipe.  And to our tummy's delight these cookies really are fantastic.  The recipe is easy to follow and it makes a lot of cookies - perfect for sharing with a crowd.  Maybe I'll let Cody check out cookbooks  more often.

BEST-EVER PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

1 c packed light brown sugar

1 c granulated sugar
2 sticks softened butter or margarine
1 c peanut butter
2 eggs
2 c all-purpose flour
1 t salt
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1 t vanilla extract
1 c chocolate chunks

In a large bowl, cream together the brown and granulated sugars, the butter, peanut butter, and eggs until well blended. In another bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder and gradually add it to the butter mixture. Add the vanilla, and blend thoroughly. Stir in the chocolate chunks. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour. Drop the dough by generous teaspoonfuls onto a baking sheet and bake at 350º for 10-12 minutes.