Peanut butter cookies
4 to 5 dozen cookies
1 cup shortening
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2½ cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
Beat shortening and peanut butter until creamy. Gradually add sugars, beating thoroughly after each addition. Beat in eggs and vanilla.
Mix remaining ingredients and blend into peanut butter mixture. Shape dough into balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place about 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Flatten each cookie. Criss-cross top of each cookie with a fork, if desired.
Bake at 375° F. (moderate oven) 10 to 15 minutes.
Remove from baking sheet while warm.
Variation
Top-hat cookies.—Roll balls of dough in granulated sugar before placing on baking sheet. Do not flatten. Bake 10 minutes; then remove from oven and press a milk chocolate candy kiss into center of each cookie. Return to oven and bake 2 to 5 minutes longer, or until cookies are done.