the french love ... peanut butter chocolate chip cookies!

A couple months ago, I received a package in the mail for my birthday with all my favorite american goodies-- including Annie's macaroni & cheese, cheetos, nerds, reese's peanut butter cups, and best of all...
STEPH'S HOME-MADE PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES. mmmmmm...

Even after traveling over 9000 kilometers, the cookies were still incredibly chewy and scrumptuous and absolutely divine.

Soooooo. Here I am. About to say goodbye to Paris and my coworkers at AREVA -- and I decided to take the risk and share the pleasure of these cookies with them for my "pot de depart".

I say "take the risk" - because French people are quite wary of peanutbutter. They find it strange and / or ... repulsive.

And I knew that I couldn't mess up - otherwise, they would confirm their beliefs about "that weird chemical american paste".

So after slaving over 4 batches with Mick (ok, it wasn't such a miserable experience as we were eating half of it raw - so much better than cooked by the way - and watching "the graduate" at the same time), we found the perfect touch...

And my coworkers loved them! I didn't even get to eat one they disappeared so quickly (ahem, faster than the cheesecake and the fondant au chocolat to give you a point of reference).

The secret - "undercook" them. As in, take them out before they look ready (thanks to Steph for the tip). Instead of 10-12 minutes, I would say more like 6-8 minutes.

Et voila!

The recipe is quite easy too so if you're in the mood for some yummy cookies, here you go.....


Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Submitted By: Clarice Schweitzer
*****
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* Prep Time: 20 Minutes
* Cook Time: 10 Minutes
* Ready In: 30 Minutes
* Yields: 12 servings

"'Here's a different version of the traditional favorite cookie that I think is especially good,' notes Clarice Schweitzer of Sun City, Arizona."

INGREDIENTS:

* 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
* 1 egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars; beat in peanut butter, egg and vanilla. Combine flour, oats, baking soda and salt; stir into the creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute before removing to a wire rack.