More Playgrounds and Cookies: Peanut Butter Cookies

 This was a close one you guys.  You know how I like to pair cookie recipes with playground posts - but there wasn't much playground time 'round these parts lately.

And when we were with the inlaws, they much preferred taking Thatbaby on hikes versus taking him to the playground  (more on that tomorrow).   But there were 2 notable exceptions. 

One day TMIL and Thatboy went to meet with someone from the church to go over the funeral service.  Since this person happened to live on the same street as a playground, Thatbaby and I tagged along.  He especially loved the splash park part.

 I have such a water baby, that when I made him leave the super wet zone to dry off a bit, he managed to find a fun mini-splash zone to play in.  And made a brand new friend (who happened to be a day older than him) who loved splashing in water just as much.

And there was another day when the hike led us past a playground.  Thatbaby went crazy trying to get to the playground, but everyone pushed for the hike.  Luckily, we got to stop and play on the way back.

This time I got smart, and took off his shirt while he played in the water area, so he would have something dry to put on afterward.

With 2 new playgrounds to add to our roster, I feel completely justified in sharing these cookies with you.  I haven't made peanut butter cookies in years.  YEARS.  But there's something so perfect in their simplicity.  Sweet and nutty - without any add-ins or accoutrement.  They're perfect just they way they are.

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 stick butter

1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 cup flour

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Cream the butter and peanut butter in an electric mixer.
2. Beat in the sugar and brown sugar.
3. Add the egg and vanilla and mix well.
4. Combine the salt, baking soda, and flour.
5. Add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients and combine thoroughly.
6. Drop the batter by rounded tablespoons onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat.  Press each cookie flat with the back of a floured spoon.  Bake for 7 minutes.