Peanut Butter Blossoms

I made these cookies today using Hershey Kisses that were already unwrapped. How long did it take Hershey to sell them that way???...come on already. Unwrapping all of those chocolates used to take forever! I found the package in the baking-supplies aisle in the grocery store. There are not many things more glorious than peanut butter and chocolate.

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 ¼ cups firmly packed light brown sugar
¾ cup peanut butter
½ cup butter flavor Crisco stick
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 egg
1 ¾ cup sifted all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 package of Hershey kisses, unwrapped (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine brown sugar, peanut butter, shortening, milk and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Add agg. Beat just until blended.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture at low speed. Mix just until blended.

Roll 1-inch dough balls into white sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheet. (Option: Flatten slightly in crisscross pattern with tines of fork.)

Bake for 7-8 minutes or until set and just beginning to brown. Do not over-bake. Place Hershey kisses in center of cookie. Remove cookies to rack to cool completely.