*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                 Peanut Butter Cookies with Variations

Recipe By     : Sue Klapper
Serving Size  : 1    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Cookies

 Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
    1/2  cup           sugar
    1/2  cup           brown sugar
    1/2  cup           butter or margarine -- softened
    1/2  cup           peanut butter
  1      teaspoon      vanilla
  1                    egg
  1 1/4  cups          flour
  1      teaspoon      baking soda
    1/2  teaspoon      salt
  4      teaspoons     sugar

Heat oven to 375°.  In large bowl, combine sugar, brown sugar and
margarine; beat until light and fluffy.  Add peanut butter, vanilla and
egg; blend well.  Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off.
Add flour, baking soda and salt; mix well.  Shape dough into 1 inch
balls.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.  With fork
dipped in sugar, flatten balls in crisscross pattern.  Bake at 375° for
6 to 9 minutes or until golden brown and set.  Immediately remove from
cookie sheets.  Yield 4 dozen cookies.

Variations:  Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars:  Prepare dough as
directed.  (Omit 4 t. sugar).  Stir 1/2 cup crisp rice cereal into
dough.  Press in ungreased 15 x 10 inch baking pan.  Bake at 350° for 12
to 17 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool 15 minutes.  Meanwhile, melt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/2 cup peanut butter in medium
saucepan over low heat.  Stir in 1 - 1/2 cups crisp rice cereal.  Spoon
mixture evenly over slightly cooled bars; gently spread.  Cool
completely.  Cut in bars.  48 bars.

Giant Peanut Butter Candy Cookies:  Prepare dough as directed.  Stir in
1 cup candy-coated chocolate pieces.  Using 1/4 cup dough per cookie,
place cookies 4 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.  Flatten to 4
inch diameter.  (Omit 4 t. sugar.)  Bake at 350° for 8 to 12 minutes or
until golden brown.  Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets.  14
cookies.

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies:  Prepare dough as directed, decreasing
flour to 3/4 cup and adding 3/4 cup rolled oats.  Cover dough with
plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 hours for easier handling.  Shape and
flatten balls as directed.  Bake at 375°  for 6 to 10 minutes or until
golden brown.  4 dozen cookies.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprints:  Prepare dough and shape into balls
as directed.  Increase 4 t. sugar to 1/4 cup; roll balls in sugar.
Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.  With thumb, make deep
imprint in center of each cookie.  Bake as directed.  Cool completely.
Spoon 1/2 t. jelly, jam or preserves into imprint in each cookie.  4
dozen cookies.
Source:  Pillsbury: Cookies, Bars, & Brownies #163

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