It’s been a few minutes since I’ve posted anything. I haven’t done much baking. It’s one of the things I love most but my heart just hasn’t been in it. I don’t have to remind you of all the things 2020 has been full of. Too many moments of sadness and heartbreak and not knowing what I should do or how to explain any of this to my 13 year old. Deep, heavy, terrifying stuff.

My family is still in quarantine mode. We don’t go to public places except the grocery store or to pick up something here and there. We do fit in some biking and hiking whenever we can when the trails aren’t too crowded. We’re not taking trips or visiting family and friends. It has been challenging but I’m still convinced we’re doing our part to help save lives.

The past few months have been full of ups and downs. Now, it’s mid-June, school’s out for the summer, and we have no travel/vacation plans. It just doesn’t feel like a typical summer. Except that Father’s Day is this weekend and that feels timely and normal.

I usually mail gifts to all of the dads in my life because they live in other states. My dad lives in Tennessee and he loves it when I send homemade baked goods. I decided Father’s Day is a good time for me to get out of my no baking rut, dust off my mixer and put my heart into baking something for my dad.

He really loves peanut butter cookies. So simple but they’re one of his favorites, along with a big glass of cold milk. Once, I sent him a box of gifts for his birthday and stuck one of those blue tins inside that are filled with Danish butter cookies. I remembered him loving those when I was a kid. His wife told me he was super excited when he opened the box of gifts and saw the tin. She said his whole body sank when he took off the lid and they weren’t my cookies! Here I thought I was getting him one of his favorites and he prefers mine! Ha! She said he said, “Store bought!? I don’t want those!”

Don’t worry, Dad because homemade Peanut butter cookies are on their way! I’m sharing my recipe below. It’s the same recipe for Peanut Butter Blossoms, you just skip pressing them with a fork and top them with chocolate kisses when they come out of the oven. They’re quick and easy to make and all the special dads, grandpas, bonus dads, husbands, sons, friends and neighbors will devour them!

Making these cookies for my dad lifted my spirits. Baking centers me. It fills my soul with joy and that’s just what I needed. Make these and bring a little feel good into your day. Wishing all the dads a happy Father’s Day! If you are lucky enough to be with yours, hug him extra tight and enjoy every moment!

From the heart,
Shannon

Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 3/4 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Sugar for coating; Hershey’s kisses for Peanut Blossoms

Instructions:
1) Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line several cookie sheets with parchment paper, or lightly grease with non-stick vegetable oil spray.

2) Beat together the butter and sugars until smooth.

3) Blend in peanut butter, milk, vanilla and egg.

4) Stir in flour, baking soda and salt.

5) Shape dough into balls and either flatten criss cross with sugar dipped fork or roll ball in sugar and bake and top with Kisses after baking

8) Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes.  Peanut Butter Blossoms: When you remove from oven, place a kiss in the center and let them cool. I love to eat them warm when the kisses are all gooey!! 🙂