Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

"I work in our school office and help my husband on our hog and cattle farm. When I find time to bake a treat, I like it to be special. The creamy filling gives traditional peanut butter cookies a new twist." By Debbie Kokes. From Taste of Home.

• Ready In: 23 mins
• Serves: 48
• Yields: 48 cookies

Ingredients

• 1  cup butter flavor shortening
• 1  cup creamy peanut butter
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  cup  packed brown sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3  eggs
• 3  cups flour
• 2  teaspoons baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt

• Filling

• 1⁄2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3  cups confectioners' sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 5 -6  tablespoons milk

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, cream the shortening, peanut butter and sugars. Add vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture.
3. Shape into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten to 3/8 inch thickenss with a fork.
4. Bake at 375 for 7-8 minutes or until golden. Cool on wire racks.
5. In a mixing bowl, beat filling ingreadients until smooth.
6. Spread on half of the cookies and top each with another cookie.