Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies

1 c Semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 1/4 c Firmly-packed brown sugar

3/4 c Creamy peanut butter

1/2 c Crisco shortening

3 tb Milk

1 tb Vanilla

1 Egg

1 3/4 c All-purpose flour

3/4 ts Baking soda

3/4 ts Salt

1/2 c Coarsely-chopped unsalted

-peanuts 1. Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Place sheets of foil on

countertop for cooling cookies 2. Place chocolate chips in a heavy resealable plastic bag or microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on 100% (HIGH) power for 30 seconds. Knead or stir and repeat, if necessary, until completely smooth. 3. Combine brown sugar, peanut butter, shortening, milk

and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Add melted chocolate. Beat just until blended. Add egg. Beat just until blended. 4. Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed

mixture at low speed. Mix just until blended. Stir in chopped peanuts. 5. Wrap dough in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 3 to 4 hours or

overnight. Keep refrigerated until ready to use. 6. Shape dough into 2-inch (5 cm) balls. Place 5 inches

apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten into 3-inch (7 cm) patties. Mark cookies in cross-hatch pattern with tines of fork. 7. Bake one baking sheet at a time at 375F (190C) for 8

to 10 minutes, or until set and just beginning to brown. DO NOT OVERBAKE. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies to foil to cool completely. Makes: About 3 dozen cookies -----