I’ve been informed that today, June 12, is National Peanut Butter Cookie Day.  What better day to test my crackpot theory that you can improve things by adding peanut butter.  For example, here is Quaker Oats’ “Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookie” recipe, and my modifications in [brackets].

  • Preheat overn to 350F
  • Combine and cream
    • 1/2 pound (2 sticks) margarine or butter [avoid margarine at all costs; substitute peanut butter for half the butter]
    • 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar [if your brown sugar has turned into a rock, gently microwave it into molasses]
    • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • Add and beat in
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Add
    • 1+1/2 cups flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon [I’ve never bothered with this, although I have been known to add some ground coffee]
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional) [salt is never optional]
  • Stir in
    • 3 cupts oats
    • 1 cup raisins [feh, I use chocolate chips or more likely a hacked up chocolate bar or Reese’s pieces for special occasions]
  • Drop by rounded tablespoons onto cookie sheets [use a larger spoon or just scoop chunks with your hands if you get bored]
  • Bake 10-12 mins

Viola!  Chocolate chunk peanut butter oatmeal cookies.