Peanut Butter Cookies

     In another decade, heck in another century, my mom made peanut butter cookies and crosshatched them with the tines of a fork. I'm not sure why she did, except perhaps that her Better Homes & Gardens Cook Book included the technique in their recipe.  I own the same cookbook, published at a much later date but containing mostly the same recipes. So when Pop asks for his favorite, the finishing touch is sure to be the same as Mom's.

     A little research hinted that Pillsbury popularized the use of a fork in the 1930's, perhaps to help the dense dough to bake evenly. Whatever the reason, the distinctive pattern is always a signal that a nutty treat is imminent!