GEORGIA PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

Makes about 2½ dozen cookies

The peanut is Georgia’s official state crop. Georgia produces almost half of the total United States peanut crop and more than 50 percent of peanuts used in the production of peanut butter. Other peanut-producing states in the Southeast include Alabama and Florida.

All-natural peanut butter doesn’t work so well as a national store brand in this recipe. These cookies are great to make with kids. Teaching kids to cook helps them learn math as well as organizational skills. But it’s still good, old-fashioned fun.

½ cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)

½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

½ cup granulated sugar

½ cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1¾ cups all-purpose flour

¾ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

• Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large bowl combine the peanut butter, butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat until light and fluffy.

• In a separate bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir into the butter mixture until combined. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Place the balls 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Gently flatten each ball with a fork in a crisscross pattern. Bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.