Peanut Butter Cookies

Every so often when my husband has a sweet tooth, he decides to bake something. Usually it's banana bread, but often it's cookies. Cookies are always a big hit at our house, and one of our favorites are these peanut butter cookies.

The recipe was a cookie of the week on Martha Stewart's show in 1998 and we've been making them ever since.

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup smooth peanut butter (we prefer to use Chunky)
(Sugar in the raw)

Directions
1. Sift together the dry ingredients and set aside. Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer using the paddle attachment. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Add the peanut butter and continue beating on low speed. Add the sifted dry ingredients and beat until just blended. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator. Chill until firm, about 1 hour. (We don't usually chill the dough)

2. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a silpat. Form dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in sugar. Place balls on cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Press down slightly with the palm of your hand. Using the tines of a fork, make a criss-cross pattern in the dough. Bake until rich golden brown, about 10 to 12 minutes (or less if your dough's not chilled.) Transfer to a rack to cool.