Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

I call these Everything But the Kitchen Sink cookies.

I cant even remember when my mother first made these cookies!  They became the standard in our family, more so than chocolate chip cookies.   They still are the standard and my sister Cyndi is the master cookie baker on these.  I can count on any family gathering (including my brother's wedding) where these cookies will be available!

I have made them as directed below.  They originally did NOT have raisins.  I added those, then changed it up to craisins.  I have added pecan pieces or walnut pieces as well.  (My sister and brother do not do nuts, so again, the original recipe my mother made did NOT have nuts in it as well).

You can change it up any way you like....just don't remove the peanut butter.  It messes with the fat content!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) of margarine

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 t vanilla

2 t baking soda

½ t salt

2 cups flour

1 cup oatmeal

12 oz chocolate chips

1 cup raisins, golden raisins, craisins (optional)

Cream together margarine and sugars till fluffy.   Add peanut butter.  Mix thoroughly.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Beat well.

In medium mixing bowl, sift together flour, salt and baking soda.   Gradually beat in flour mixture to the butter/sugar cream mixture until thoroughly combined.

Stir in oatmeal and chocolate chips.

Add raisins/craisins as desired. 

Spoon mix onto prepared cookie sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 10-14 minutes.  Cookies will look soft in the center.  They may seem not quite done, but that is when they are really done.  Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.   Will keep up to one week in an airtight container.  Can freeze when completely cooled!