Cut Out Peanut Butter Cookie Recipes

Steps:

• Beat first 5 ingredients in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add flour and baking soda; mix well. Refrigerate 30 min.
• Heat oven to 375ºF. Roll dough to 3/8-inch thickness on floured surface. Cut into shapes with 2-inch cookie cutters. Place on baking sheets sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 8 to 10 min. or until edges are lightly browned. Cool 1 min; remove to wire racks. Cool completely.
• Melt chocolate as directed on package. Dip half of each cookie in chocolate; place on waxed paper. Let stand until chocolate is firm. Store in a covered container.

Steps:

• Combine butter and peanut butter chips in saucepan; cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted. Pour into large bowl; add brown sugar, egg and vanilla. Beat well. Stir in flour, baking soda and pecans; blend well. Refrigerate 15 to 20 minutes or until firm enough to roll.
• Heat oven to 350°F Roll out dough, a small portion at a time, on lightly floured board or between 2 pieces of wax paper, to 1/4-inch thickness. (Keep remaining dough in refrigerator.) With cookie cutters, cut into desired shapes; place on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until almost set (do not overbake). Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.
• Drizzle CHOCOLATE CHIP GLAZE or PEANUT BUTTER CHIP GLAZE onto each cookie; garnish as desired.
• CHOCOLATE CHIP GLAZE: Place 1 cup HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips or HERSHEY'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and 1 tablespoon shortening (do not use butter, margarine, spread or oil) in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 1 minute; stir. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, just until chips are melted and mixture is smooth.
• PEANUT BUTTER CHIP GLAZE: Place 2/3 cup REESE'S Peanut Butter Chips and 1 tablespoon shortening (do not use butter, margarine, spread or oil) in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 30 seconds; stir. Microwave at MEDIUM an additional 10 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating, just until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. About 1/3 cup glaze.
• VARIATION: SLICE AND BAKE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES: Prepare dough as directed above. Refrigerate 15 to 20 minutes or until firm enough to handle. Shape dough into two 6-inch rolls. Wrap rolls in wax paper or plastic wrap; freeze 1 to 2 hours or until firm enough to cut. Cut dough into 1/4-inch thick slices. Proceed as directed for baking and cooling.

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, peanut butter and sugars.
• Beat in the eggs, milk and vanilla.
• Combine the flour, baking powder & baking soda; add to creamed mixture and mix well.
• Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness.
• Cut with 2-inch to 4-inch cookie cutters.
• Place 2-inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
• Bake at 375° for 7-9 minutes, or until firm, and edges are golden brown.
• Cool for 1 minute, before removing from pans to wire rack to cool completely.
• Frost and decorate as desired.
• Note: This recipe states to bake the cookies in a 375° degree oven, but I prefer to bake them in 350° oven.