Peanut Butter Valentine Cookies

 A little treat for my coworkers....just a little something to get them

 through our most recent 12-hour sale!

Chocolate Heart Peanut Butter Cookies

adapted from a peanut butter cookie recipe at joy of baking.com

3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup light brown sugar

3/4 cup peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)

1 large egg

1 teas. pure vanilla extract

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teas. baking soda

1/4 teas. salt

1/2 cup chopped peanuts or 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and place rack in center of oven.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In the bowl of your electric mixer ( or with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy ( about 2-3 minutes).  Beat in the peanut butter.  Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat to combine.  In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.  Add to the peanut butter mixture and beat until incorporated.  Fold in the chopped peanuts , if using.  If the batter is too soft to form into balls, place in the refrigerator for about an hour or until firm)

Roll batter into 1 inch balls place about 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets  and slightly flatten with your palm.   Bake for about 10-12 minutes.  Remove from oven and press chocolate hearts in the center.  Place on wire rack to cool.  Can be stored at room tempurature, in an airtight container, for about a week. 

Makes about 40 cookies.

They were gone in minutes!!!

I think they liked them.

This is Lucy. 

 She is my 2 year old Alaskan Malamute that loves, loves,

LOVES peanut butter!!!  The entire time that I was in the kitchen making these cookies she was right there hoping that I would drop a tasty morsel on the floor for her to sample.  I don't give her chocolate, but I did make a "Lucy cookie" with

 out the chocolate heart. 

I know, she is hopelessly spoiled.