Jerry's Peanut Butter Cookies

Chocolate frosted peanut butter cookies. Since peanut butter, and cookies, are family favorites--searched through and tried many recipes--this one is THE peanut butter cookie recipe. The origins are "The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook" with hubby's own twist--frosted ( he is mad for chocolate!)

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Yields: 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 16  tablespoons butter, softened (2 sticks)
• 1  cup  packed light brown sugar
• 1  cup granulated sugar
• 1  cup  extra-crunchy peanut butter
• 2  teaspoons vanilla
• 2  large eggs
• 1  cup  dry-roasted salted peanuts, ground fine
• 2  cups chocolate chips
• 1  tablespoon shortening

Directions

1. Whisk dry ingredients in bowl and set aside.
2. Beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy using electric mixer set on medium speed. (3-6 minutes).
3. Beat peanut butter into butter & sugars.
4. Beat in vanilla, then eggs one at a time until combined.
5. Mix in flour mixture (use mixer on low speed).
6. Mix in ground peanuts.
7. Roll about 2 tablespoons dough into a ball, and place on parchment lined baking sheet or non-stick baking pan--about 2 in apart. Make crosshatch with a fork on cookie to flatten. Bake in 350 degree oven 10-12 minutes. Let cookies cool on sheets for 10 minutes, then place on wire rack.
8. Melt chips in microwave, and mix in shortening. When cookies thoroughly cooled, frost.