Mom's Famous Peanut Butter Cookies

Kathy's Peanut Butter Cookies

Here's the secret truth behind this recipe. They hold many memories for me, but I've never really liked peanut butter cookies. However, most people do and everyone LOVED my Mom's. They were always being requested at work potlucks and family get-togethers. I can still picture her using her brown speckled bowl with blue flowers and stirring the batter with a wooden spoon (she never liked using a mixer for these cookies).

Her long-time friend, Linda, even contacted me after Mom passed away saying it would mean a lot to her if I could share her recipe. It made me happy to be able to share something of Mom's with her good friend. Our Aunt Margie actually made these cookies with Mom years ago and taught her the little fork criss-cross method and sprinkling of sugar on top. Mom would tell me about that over and over - more good memories.


The recipe is circa the Better Homes and Gardens - Homemade Cookies cookbook from 1975, but tailored along the way. I love looking at the pages of the cookbook - the stains and crumbs show how many times she had these pages open making these cookies so many loved. Do you like peanut butter cookies? Then, try this recipe!

1 cup shortening
1 cup creamy peanut butter (Mom always used JIF)
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
2 - 1/4 cups flour
2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
Sugar (for top)

Cream first four ingredients, then beat in egg and vanilla. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt - adding to creamed mixture. Mix well. Form into one-inch balls. Place onto ungreased cookie sheet and roll into balls and then flatten slightly with fingers. Take a fork dipped in flour and press into dough (as in pattern in picture). Bake at 350 degrees for approximately ten minutes. Watch them and make sure you don't bake them too long. You want soft and chewy cookies, so best to take them out when they're just darkening around the edges. They'll continue to bake on the cookie sheet once you remove them from the oven. When cookies are still warm, sprinkle lightly with sugar.

Makes approximately five dozen.