Peanut Butter Cookies

These peanut butter cookies are soft and chewy. The best I have ever eaten and always receive rave reviews. I have always used Jif Peanut Butter to get the best peanut taste.

Yield

4 to 5 dozen cookies

Ingredients

1 cup shortening
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F (191°C). In a mixing bowl 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" in diameter. Place about 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Flatten each cookie. Crisscross top of each cookie with a fork, if desired.

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Cool 1 minute and remove from cookie sheet. Continue to cool on cooling grid.