Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut Butter Cookies, with their signature fork design, are a classic. They are a great, basic cookie suited for peanut butter fans. They can also be dressed up and added to for something different. There are two basic types of master peanut butter cookies recipes around" the really quick and simple three-ingredient one, and the more complex basic cookie one with peanut butter. Here are both of them.

Super Easy 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg

Preheat oven to 325◦F. Mix all of the ingredients until well blended. Roll into 24 balls. Place 4 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets, flatten with fork. Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly browned, do not overbake. Let cool on cookie sheets 5 minutes before transferring to cool completely.

Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Cookies
1/2 cup butter or hard margarine, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 375◦F. In a large bowl, cream the butter and bot sugars. Add the egg, mix in the peanut butter. Stir in remaining ingredients, shape into 36 balls. Place far apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Press with fork, dipped in flour periodically. Bake 12 to 15 minutes.


VARIATIONS
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies:  Add 1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips.
PB&J Cookies: Indent each cookie with thumb instead of pressing with fork. Fill with jam before or  after baking.
Double Peanut Butter Cookies: Add 1/2 cup chopped peanuts.
Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies: Replace half of the flour with rolled oats.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies: Replace 1/2 cup flour with 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder.

Here are some peanut butter cookies that I made. I drizzled some with melted chocolate to resemble smiley faces :)