Salted Peanut Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup raw peanuts, chopped
• 1 tablespoon coarse salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in the peanut butter until well blended.
5. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
6. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients.
7. Form dough into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets.
8. Press the balls down with a fork, making a criss-cross pattern.
9. Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with the chopped peanuts and coarse salt.
10. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges are lightly browned.
11. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Interesting Facts

• Peanuts are technically a legume, not a nut.
• Peanut butter has been around since the late 1800s.
• Adding salt to sweet treats is a common practice to enhance the flavor.