I go through cookie phases. They last months at a time. I always try to keep cookies in the cookie jar – I like having something to offer people when they stop by – and my friend gave me a cute flamingo cookie jar that begs to be filled with tasty treats.  My standard is chocolate chip cookies, over the holidays it was oatmeal in various forms and lately it’s peanut butter cookies.  Which works out, because my favorite Valentine cookie is Peanut Butter with Chocolate Kisses:

Peanut Butter Cookies with a Kiss:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1-1/4 cup flour
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 48 chocolate kisses, foil removed

mixing bowl and cookie sheet

Thoroughly cream butter, peanut butter and sugars.  Add egg and vanilla, mixing well.  Combine dry ingredients and slowly stir into creamed mixture.  Mix well, dough will be stiff, if not add a bit more flour.  Shape into 1″ balls and place on cookie sheet.  Press an unwrapped kiss in the center and press down.  Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Cookies will be light golden color, kisses will not melt.  Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheet, or else they will fall apart.

If you don’t want to do the kisses, roll balls in sugar before placing on cookie sheet, flatten with a fork in a criss-cross shape and bake as above. 

Best served with a cold glass of milk.

Recipe from What’s 4 Dinner Solutions’ Valentine Menu