Birthday biscuits

In honour of my Father-in-law's birthday I tried out a new recipe this morning. I've been looking for a good peanut cookie recipe ever since trying some given to my Mum which were divine. I keep meaning to ask my Mum to see if she can find out the recipe but in the meantime this recipe was pretty good.

Jo Wheatley's Peanut Butter Cookies

Makes about 15 (although depends how big your spoon is!)

Ingredients:
- 100g unsalted butter, softened
- 100g peanut butter, either smooth or crunchy
- 60g demerara sugar- 60g caster sugar
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 100g plain flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 60g salted peanuts or chocolate chips (I used plain chocolate as this is my father-in-law's favourite)

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4.
2. Cream the butter, sugars and peanut butter together until light and fluffy.
3. Gradually add the egg and mix thoroughly.
4. Sift the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda into the bowl and mix until the dough comes together. Add the peanuts or chocolate chips and mix again.
5. Place scoops onto a prepared baking tray (lined with parchment) allowing plenty of space inbetween for spreading in the oven.
6. Bake for 5 minutes in the middle of the oven, remove the tray and give it a sharp bang on the work surface to deflate the cookies.
7. Return to the oven for 5 more minutes until golden brown. Cool slightly on the tray and then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Recipe is taken from: http://www.recipesfromanormalmum.com/2012/06/03/jos-peanut-butter-cookies/

However I liked the recipe so much that I bought the book it is from which is A Passion for Baking by Jo Wheatley. It is currently available for only £5 and free delivery from Sainsburys here:
http://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/en/Books/Hardback/Jo-Wheatley/A-Passion-For-Baking-Sainsbury-s-Exclusive/product.html?product=E11076373

I'm looking forward to trying more of her recipes.

Anyway here are the finished cookies:

We took some over to my father-in-law and he liked them so much he even phoned to tell me! Praise indeed! We enjoyed ours too, very light and you can really taste the peanut butter. Next time I make them I shall give them a try with peanuts rather than chocolate and really must track down that other peanut butter cookie recipe :-)