Craving for Peanut Butter Cookies Kindles Memories

“I copied this recipe from my mother’s recipe box when I left home to attend college,” Adriana Molinaro writes. “Hours of studying and feeling homesick often triggered the craving for a peanut butter cookie that only these special cookies could completely satisfy. The peanut butter filling adds the special burst of flavor that a true peanut butter fan can sincerely appreciate.”

DOUBLE PEANUT BUTTER

COOKIES

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup corn syrup

1 tablespoon milk

Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, shortening and peanut butter. Mix together until it resembles coarse meal. Form into long roll about 2 inches in diameter and wrap in piece of wax paper. Chill dough until firm.

Cut dough into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place half of dough slices, about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet. Dab center of each slice with 1/2 teaspoon peanut butter. Top with another slice of dough. Seal 2 slices with prongs of fork. Bake at 350 degrees about 12 minutes or until done. Makes about 2 dozen.

Variation: Add 3 to 4 semisweet chocolate pieces to peanut butter filling.

--ADRIANA MOLINARO

Pomona

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