You think you know someone. You know what I mean don’t you? You’ve been married more than 21 years, you think you know every little detail about that special someone, especially their likes and dislikes. Well, in case the years haven’t yet enlightened you, let me clear up a few things. You never really know all the details about your beloved…..yes that is right NEVER. This is how it is meant to be and this is what makes the journey the sweetest.
This is a silly little incident that brings this home clearly. Ever since those star struck dating years, I knew my husband did not like peanut butter. I mean I knew he detested peanut butter. It has been an inside family joke that he adores and even requests Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups® but he will not eat peanut butter. No quick lunches or picnics made up of PB & J’s for this family, no siree. In all these years, I never once baked peanut butter cookies.
A few weeks ago, my culinary book club was meeting and discussing any book by one of my all time favorite cookbook authors, Dorie Greenspan. I decided this would be a perfect time to bake Dorie’s recipe for Peanut Butter cookies. I could share a few with our daughter, but knowing my husband did not like peanut butter and knowing that in our entire marriage I have never baked peanut butter cookies because I knew he did not like them, I thought this would be a great way to satisfy my recent peanut butter cookie craving. The cookies are cooling on the kitchen counter and in walks my knight in shining armor and guess what? He begins downing peanut butter cookies like there is no tomorrow. You can imagine the scene. Everyone started shouting at him, “you don’t like peanut butter!” He said, “This is correct, I don’t like peanut butter but I love peanut butter cookies!” Go figure! Remember my wise words at the beginning of this post? You never really know someone.
The cookies were a big hit but a friend suggested that I try the peanut butter cookies made with Payday® candy bars. Since I have a new lease on Peanut Butter cookie baking at our house, I decided to give it a try.
These are wonderful, crunchy, peanut butter cookies. But alas, as life goes, we now have another debate at our house. Crunchy peanut butter cookies or smooth peanut butter cookies? Oh yea, have you heard the one about how you can’t please everyone all the time? 🙂
Recipe adapted from Cooking with Class by Jo Ellen Leifer
Payday® Candy Bar Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1 cup dark brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup old fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
4 Payday® candy bars (1.85 oz. each), chopped
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Combine peanut butter, brown sugar and butter in a mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to cream together. Add egg and vanilla and mix until blended.
In a small bowl, combine flour, oats and baking soda. Add to creamed mixture and blend well. Stir in candy bar pieces.
Form into medium size balls (about 2 tablespoons) and place on prepared cookie sheets. Pat cookies flat. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until brown. Cool for a minutes or two and then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
Makes about 21 cookies
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