Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Sometimes you just need something so badly that your whole day becomes unproductive until you can have that one thing.  Last weekend as the entire East Coast was preparing for a massive snowstorm I was dreading waking up to that blanket of white the next day.  Since I basically live in the south, that wasn’t a likely possibility.  But I always worry about the snowfall.  Maybe after seven years in a region that has multiple months of winter, I should break down and purchase winter boots?  Or just get over the fact that I can’t wear my rainbow sandals in Februrary?  I may never learn.

I was determined to win the 2013 storm weekend, which is where my new friends come in handy.  As the day got colder, all thoughts were consumed with what I could bake that would make the chills go away.  There is nothing mind-blowing about Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Wait.  Who am I kidding?  Of course there is.  Peanut butter.  Chocolate.  In cookie form.  Comfort food to the max.  What a way to start the weekend.

can I please crawl in there and have a nap?

What could be better than movies and cookies all weekend?  Um, maybe a visit to Princeton University, cookies in tow.  My rocket scientist boyfriend — no, really.  He actually IS a rocket scientist — went to Princeton (as did my brother) and I am definitely in love with that place more than I should be.  Princeton.  Watching college wrestling (which I still don’t understand, but absolutely love).  Best cupcakes ever.  AAAAnd a bagel brunch with my favorite NYC family.  I know, right?  My life is awesome.

If you are feeling the briskness of this wintery weather, and love peanut butter a lot, these little friends should be a part of your life.  Like, now.

Oh.  And I finally broke down and got winter snow boots.  Maybe there is hope for me after all.    

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
*adapted from Alice’s Tea Cup
*makes 30 two inch cookies

Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Using a mixer, cream the butter and sugars.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix until smooth.  Add dry ingredients and mix on medium.
• Add peanut butter and mix until batter is creamy.  Using a spatula, fold in chocolate chips.
• Scoop dough onto lined or greased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.  Press each cookie with a fork to form criss-cross pattern.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes.  Allow to cool on baking sheet.