Best Texas Christmas Cookies

Makes About 4 Dozen • From the kitchen of Katherine Mark

Ingredients

1 bag (9 ounce) Brach's chocolate stars or Hershey's Kisses
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup Reese's creamy or crunchy ceanut cutter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Additional sugar for rolling dough in before baking

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Remove wrappers from chocolate pieces.

3. In large bowl, beat shortening and peanut butter until well blended. Add sugars, beat until light and fluffy.

4. Add egg, milk and vanilla, beat well.

5. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt, gradually add to peanut butter mixture.

6. Shape dough into 1-inch balls.

7. Roll in granulated sugar, place on ungreased cookie sheet.

8. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned.

9. Immediately place chocolate piece on top of each cookie, pressing down so cookie cracks around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to a wire rack.

10. Cool completely.