"The best peanut butter cookies in the whole world"

Okay, I'm not necessarily claiming that these are the best in the world, but some others may say so...
 

My dear coworker Crystal has some of the most adorable little girls that I have ever known!  They come to the office whenever they're sick, or sometimes just to hang out before going to the babysitter, and they always come and visit me in my "room."  I have several little toys on my desk--including a bobblehead bulldog that they call "butch"--and they always come see me and play with my toys.  Lately, every time that Magaily comes in to the office she comes up to me and says (in her adorable three year old voice) "Sarah, you make the best peanut butter cookies in the whole world!"  Seriously, she has said that every time she has come by in the past few months!!  It absolutely melts my heart :)

 Magaily visiting me in my "room"

Maddy & Magaily on their Christmas picture from 2009

The first time that I made these cookies Crystal took some home to her girls, who apparently went crazy for them and declared them to be their favorites.  A little bit later she was taking them shopping and was going to get some cookies from the store, and apparently Maddy started to cry because she can't get her very favorite cookies from the store--only from me!  She then asked her mom if maybe I would make her some if she drew a picture for me.  Well, we can do better than that!  I invited her over and we baked cookies together, and she drew me a beautiful picture that is still on my fridge :)

 Baking (or eating?) with Maddy

 The beautiful picture!: "I Love You and I Like You"

Usually Crystal asks for these cookies for her birthday (or Christmas...or Wednesdays...), but this year she asked for strawberry cake (or cupcakes) instead.  Then later she said that the girls might get mad that she didn't get any of the cookies...so I made both for her birthday. 

 Strawberry cupcakes iced like flowers :)

 And a mountain of peanut butter cookies!

These cookies are pretty darn amazing...but I can't take credit for them.  I found them in Taste of Home's Best Loved Cookies & Bars special edition around Christmas '08, and I have made them over and over!  Absolutely wonderful!  Unlike your average peanut butter cookie, these have a layer of peanut butter icing on top.  The original recipe calls for you to drizzle some chocolate icing over the tops, but I leave that out--yep, I want pure unadulterated peanut butter please!  Also, I generally shy away from using shortening over butter in my recipes, but the shortening in these really does make for the soft and chewy texture--I wouldn't substitute butter...just my opinion.

Here is the recipe in case you want to make the best peanut butter cookie in the world!

Fancy Peanut Butter Cookies
Taste of Home Best Loved Cookies & Bars 2008
Cookies:

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt

 Frosting:

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• dash salt

Chocolate Icing: (optional)

• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
• 2 Tbsp. milk

Instructions:

• In a large mixing bowl, cream the shortening, peanut butter, and sugars until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat in milk and vanilla.  Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well.
• Roll into 1 in. balls.  Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.  Bake at 375' for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. (I take them out right at about 11 minutes when they are still pretty light)  Remove to wire racks. 
• For frosting, in a large mixing bowl, cream the butter, shortening, peanut butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy (i combine the fats, then add the sugar) Beat in the milk, vanilla, and salt until smooth.  Frost cookies.  Combine melted chips and milk, drizzle over frosting.