Man Pleasin' Cookies

Steve called today to let me know he'd have a one-hour window tomorrow when the boys and I could come out and see him (he's away at Army annual training, so we haven't seen him since last week). Knowing that he's been getting little to no sleep, he's stressed, and he misses his boys, I knew I needed to whip up a batch of his favorite cookies to take to him. He claims that I lace them with an addictive chemical, because he cannot seem to stop eating them, whenever they are in the cookie jar. These cookies are nothing more than two great tastes that go great together - - chocolate and peanut butter. Oh, and they stay nice and soft, even days later. Try them. You won't be disappointed!

Steve's Favorite Cookies

1/2 cup shortening
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, cream together shortening, brown sugar, and peanut butter until smooth. Stir in egg, milk, and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the peanut butter mixture until well blended. Form into balls, about the size of a large walnut shell, and then flatten slightly with your hand, after you place them on the cookie sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.