Peanut Blossoms

Shalise's favorite cookie.   We love making this at holiday time!
From Hershey's Holiday guide.

48 Hershey's Kisses milk chocolate
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup granulate sugar for decorating.

1.  Heat oven to 375 degrees.  remove wrappers from Hershey Kisses.
2.  Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended.  Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar.  Beat until light and fluffy.  Add egg, milk, and vanilla and beat well.  Stir together baking soda, flour, and salt.  Gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.
3.  Shape dough into 1-inch balls.  Roll in granulated sugar to coat. and place on ungreased cookie sheet.
4.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.  Immediately press and Hershey's Kiss into the center of each cookie.  Cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet and cool completely on wire rack.

Vanishing Oatmeal Cookies

These cookies are a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional chocolate chip cookies.  You can change the cholcolate chips for any other ingredient you like such as **dried cranberries, raisins, white chocolate chips...even your favorite nuts.

From the Quaker Oats Container.

1/2 lb (2 sticks) margarine or butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs (or egg substitute)
1 tsp vanilla
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour (we use whole wheat flour)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt (optional)
3 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old-fashioned, uncooked)
1 cup chocolate chips**

1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2.  Beat together butter and sugars until creamy.
3.  Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
4.  Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; mix well.
5.  Stir in oats and chocolate chips; mix well.
6.  Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.
7.  Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown
8.  Cool 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to wire rack.

Makes about 4 dozen.

Bar Cookies: Bake 30 to 35 minutes in ungreased 13x9 inch metal baking pan.