The Ultimate Peanut Butter Cookie

1 1/2 cp all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp table salt
1 cp creamy peanut butter (optionally: use chunky, or add 1/4 cup minced peanuts)
1/2 cp butter (1 stick), softened
1/2 cp firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (use pure vanilla extract if paste is unavailable)

Preheat oven to 400F.

Sift flour, salt, baking soda & baking powder to combine. In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and peanut butter until completely smooth. Add egg and vanilla bean paste.

Reduce mixer speed to lowest possible (or you WILL be wearing the dry mixture) and slowly add sifted flour mixture to the mixer. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides if necessary to ensure everything is well combined. Remove dough from mixer bowl and wrap in plastic. Allow to rest in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take a piece of dough no larger than a walnut and roll between your palms to form a ball. Place on baking sheet and using a fork, press in alternate directions to flatten and form traditional pattern. (I happened to use an antique potato masher to achieve the effect in the photo.) Bake for 8-10 minutes or until just lightly browned around the edges. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Optional addition: 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips.