the trifecta

Do you know about gilding the lily? Do you ever do it?

I do. Remorselessly.

For the unaware, gilding the lily means (unnecessarily) adding to something that might already be considered perfect. Peanut butter cookies may indeed be something that needs no additions, but that didn't stop me from adding not one, but two peanut buttery ingredients into the mix. I tossed in peanut butter morsels* and mini Reese's Pieces, which means amazing crunch, toothiness, and bonus peanut butter flavor in every bite.

*I am OBSESSED with these things right now and I can't really put my finger on why that might be. Whatever the reason, I can't get enough.

Was it too much? Uh...no. These cookies are amazing! Just don't bring them into your workplace or school if peanuts are disallowed. Learned that one the hard way.

Peanut Butter Peanut Butter Peanut Butter Cookies
(printable recipe)
Makes 12-20 cookies, depending on size

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, tightly packed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup mini Reese's Pieces
• 1 cup peanut butter morsels

Directions:
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add the peanut butter and mix for 1-2 minutes.
Add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.
Add the dry ingredients to the batter and mix just until no pockets of flour remain, but do not over mix.
Stir in the morsels and pieces, then refrigerate the cookie dough for at least an hour so it can firm up and get delicious.
When you're ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Portion dough into 12-20 cookies--I got about 20 using my 2-tablespoon scoop.
Place the balls a few inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
Bake cookies for 10 minutes, rotating halfway through, until lightly golden brown and firm on the edges.
Remove from the oven and let set for 1-2 minutes.
Transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.