Peanut Butter Heart

I have been seeing these cookies everywhere.  They make my mouth water every time I see them.  I finally caved and made a batch.

They are nothing new or super exciting - a basic peanut cookie with chocolate.  The dark chocolate seems to make this everyday treat a little fancy and extra special.  But at heart they are a classic comfort food.

I have two basic recipes for Peanut Butter cookies - an easy  one and an even easier one.  This is the easy one - the even easier one is only three ingredients and great when a quick fix is needed.  These cookies are thick soft and chewy.  They are wonderful with or without the chocolate.  I usually make a half recipe and scoop out small balls of dough, but occasionally I make the full batch and make them super big which the kids just love.

 Peanut Butter Hearts

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cups peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 bag Dove dark chocolate hearts

Preheat oven to 350.

Sift flour, baking soda and salt together, set aside.  In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes on medium speed if using a stand mixer, scraping bowl occasionally.  Add eggs and vanilla, beat until fully incorporated, scrape down bowl then add peanut butter, mixing again until fully incorporated.  Add flour mixture,  stirring until just incorporated, do not over mix.

Using a #40 scoop (about 2 Tbsp) drop dough onto baking sheet, evenly spacing cookies.  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies are golden on the edges and slightly soft in the center.  Let cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then top with unwrapped chocolate heart, transfer to wire rack and cool completely.