Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

This is taken from the award-winning "The Dessert-Lover's Cookbook" by Marlene Sorosky-Gray...These cookies are sweet so you might want to reduce the sugar slightly.

• Ready In: 27 mins
• Yields: 28 cookies (approx)

Ingredients

• 1  cup butter, room temperature
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  cup light brown sugar
• 3⁄4 cup peanut butter
• 2  large eggs
• 2  teaspoons  maple extract (or use vanilla)
• 2  cups flour
• 1⁄4 cup  unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1⁄2 cups  quick-cooking rolled oats
• 1 1⁄2 cups chocolate chips
• 1  cup unsalted dry roasted peanuts, chopped

Directions

1. Set oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a large cookie sheet/s with parchment paper, then butter the parchment paper or use a cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl beat together the butter with both sugars, maple extract and peanut butter until well blended.
4. Add in the eggs; beat until well combined.
5. In another bowl mix together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture; beat until combined.
6. Add in oats, chocolate chips and peanuts; mix until combined.
7. Drop by 2-tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet.
8. With a lightly-floured fork, flatten slightly into about 2-1/2-inch rounds.
9. Bake (one pan at a time) for about 12-14 minutes.
10. Let stand 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then using a spatula transfer cookies to racks to cool (if the cookies are too hot they will break).