Classic Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

     Strangely enough, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are one of my most often-requested treats. They aren't super complicated - essentially just a chocolate chip cookie with some of the butter subbed out for peanut butter - but they tend to strike a nostalgic chord in adults and teenagers alike. Somehow, the sweet & salty flavor combination and crisp texture remind me of my days in kindergarten, and in a week that includes standardized tests, late-night choir rehearsals, and college tours, sometimes that's all I really need.
   This is my favorite recipe, and while they aren't gooey, I think that's okay - but if you don't, just bake them for a couple of minutes less. The peanut butter flavor is definitely noticeable without being overwhelming, and you don't get any chunks of peanuts (again, if you do want these, just sub in chunky peanut butter). Best of all, these are tender, buttery and crazy addictive. I promise they'll take you back to your own kindergarten classroom, complete with crayons and nap time!
    Enjoy!

Classic Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

(from Confections of a Foodie Bride)

1 stick butter, at room temp

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 and line a baking sheet with parchment or a baking mat.
Cream the butter and peanut butter on medium high for 1 minute.
Add sugars and beat at med-high for another minute. Add egg and vanilla and mix until smooth.
Add flour, baking soda and salt on low speed until thoroughly combined. Mix in chocolate chips (the
dough will be quite soft).
Chill dough for 15-20 minutes.
Drop the dough by the small scoopfuls onto a lined baking sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden brown. For a crispier cookie, allow the entire cookie to brown. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes and then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

 -makes about 24 cookies