Peanut clusters

Believe it or not, but I actually got this recipe from a bathroom stall. Let me explain ... at the university where I work, a student organization posts health tips called "toilet talk" on the backs of the bathroom doors. The winter posting featured this recipe as a healthy alternative to cookies. They are so tasty it's hard to believe they are healthier than cookies - and so much easier! Corey and his junk food loving friends even like them – bonus!

stuff:

10 oz peanut butter chips

1/2 cup dry roasted, unsalted peanuts

1/2 cup regular oats, uncooked

1/2 cup raisins

1 tsp cinnamon

what to do with the stuff:

Microwave chips in bowl until melted, stir a few times while melting every 30 seconds or so ... or they will burn ... not good. Add remaining ingredients, mix thoroughly. Wash your hands. Firmly roll into 1 inch balls. Let cool on wax paper (makes about 20 clusters). Eat. Write me a comment and let me know how you like them :)

Peanut Butter Cookies

What you’ll need:
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 egg
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda

Here’ what you do with the stuff:
Combine peanut butter, shortening, brown sugar, milk and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed with electric mixer (my Kitchen Aid stand mixer was a champ for this) until well blended. Add egg and beat just until blended. In separate bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda. Add to creamed mixture at low speed. Mix just until blended. Roll cookies and place on un-greased cookie sheet. Using a fork, make criss-cross patterns on cookies, pressing slightly. Bake at 375 for 7-8 minutes. Cook for two minutes before removing from baking sheet. Enjoy :)