Macadamia Peanut Butter Cookies

I guess because I have lots of Mac nuts in my freezer I am always thinking what I can do with them besides just eating them by the handful. I love them they are my favorite nut, so I need to make something with them. This time it's cookies with peanut butter and the mac nuts. Yes they turned out better than I thought so I had to hurry and give them away. Even Chuck liked them! I used shortening this time and I think it made a great difference in the taste. Don't get me wrong I love love love butter but the shortening changed the mouth feel in a very good way, do you get what I mean? Oh by the way I never just put a pinch of baking soda or baking powder but I did this time. Never say never.

2 cups roasted and chopped macadamia nuts

2 cups of all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

pinch of backing soda

pinch of baking powder

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons of vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Pan Toast the Macadamia Nuts for just a few minutes, until you see some color on them set aside.

Mix the dry ingredients together and set aside.

With hand held mixer, cream the peanut butter, shortening and sugars together and mix for 3 minutes.

Add the eggs one at a time and mix in well, I count to 40 for each egg.

Stir in the flour mixture and then the Mac nuts.

Drop by the Tablespoon onto parchment lined cookie sheets and bake for 12 to 15 minutes and then cool.

Makes about 4 doz.

Now give them away if you can because you will eat them all yourself.