This month has been tough. Transitioning into residency has been more difficult than I anticipated. I knew I wouldn't have a life, but I guess I got use to fourth year of medical school. Anyways, I haven't had any time to bake all month. I spend most of my free time sleeping honestly and when I am awake, it is at night. I have though been staring at various recipes that I have been dying to make. Sarah Yoder gave me a book of recipes from graduation. She is one of the best bakers I know. Anyways, some of the recipes are lock and key type recipes and I will never publish them here. However, some of them are not as secretive. She gave me some advise that I have tried on several occasions but have been unsuccessful thus far. This advise was as follows: If you like a dessert at a restaurant or meal, ask for the recipe. I was out with my mom a month ago and I tried this...it didn't work, but I will try again. The worst they can tell you is no right? :) Anyways last Christmas, Sarah baked cookies as her gift. These Peanut Butter Cookies were included in the package. I remember them tasting quite awesome. I can only hope that some of her baking skills rub off on me and I can duplicate some her success.
Ingredients
2 cups of Natural Peanut Butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla
24 hershey's kisses(optional)
Recipe:
Stir peanut butter and sugar together until smooth. Add eggs one at a time. Mix in baking soda, salt and vanilla. Chill dough at least one hour. Preheat oven to 350 F. Roll dough into balls (makes about 24 cookies); place on cookie sheet. Flatten gently and bake 6 to 8 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on cookie sheet about 10 minutes. Put kiss in cookie center while still warm.
Wow! These cookies are as good as I remember them and so easy to make. Literally mixing them was less than a ten minute task. It's a perfect dessert for a time crunched individual. I give them 4.5 out of 5 stars. Each bite is of peanut buttery goodness. The cookies melt in your mouth. Sarah's tip in this recipe was to use natural peanut butter. I did and I think it is the key to success. The peanut butter is more pure tasting in the cookie. Like usual, better ingredients yield better results. I am 100% positive that these cookies are absolutely awful for you...they are peanuts and sugar...but who cares right?
