Hank's Cookies

Cookie recipes abound this time of year, but this is a special one because it was created by a family member!  Byron's Aunt Dottie made these cookies for her husband, Hank, when he was going through a rough time with cancer and really couldn't stomach many other foods.  To our family, that makes this recipe priceless...and it's very flexible in that you can add your choice of nuts, dried fruits (I'd like to try apricot), and chocolate-esque chips.

Hank's Cookies
Ingredients
1 stick butter, softened at room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. half n’ half or milk
1+ cup good quality peanut butter; I prefer organic
1 cup flour
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
1 cup dried cranberries (I didn't have any on hand so had to omit)
1 cup rolled oats
Optional: about 1 cup each of nuts or chocolate chips (I added chocolate chips)

Directions
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.  Whip butter and sugars together, then beat in eggs, vanilla, and milk.  Add in peanut butter and beat together.  In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and add to wet ingredients.  Mix in dried cranberries, oats, and optional ingredients.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto buttered cookie sheet and bake for 10 – 15 minutes (depends on your oven but check them at 10 minutes first). Cool on racks.  Makes about three dozen cookies.