Peanut Butter Packed Daddy-O Cookies

I am working on putting together a cookbook of my favorite recipes much like Sarah of Clover Lane did.  It's going to be called Domestic Fashionista Cooks...or something like that.  So as I work on my book, slowly compiling recipes and taking cookbook worthy photos, I will be sharing them here on the blog as well.

I definitely stage photos for this blog, but never have I put so much pressure on myself as I am for this book to make the pictures as best as possible.  It really has been fun!  Like this cup of milk...I just poured it back into the milk carton when I was done!  Food staging is a fascinating thing and a fun new photography challenge!

When I think of these cookies I think of my dad and father in law who are both big fans of anything peanut butter.  I perfected this recipe one year for Father's Day and it is the best peanut butter packed cookie I have ever had.  I named this cookie in their honor.

1 cup shortening
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup splenda
2 egg whites
1/3 cup nonfat greek yogurt or 2 more egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 cups vanilla/peanut butter baking chips
1 1/2 cups peanuts
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup oats

Cream the shortening, peanut butter, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in egg whites and vanila.

Gradually add flour, baking soda, and baking powder.

Stir in baking chips, peanuts, coconut, and oats.

Spoon onto baking sheets.  Flatten with a fork, forming a crisscross pattern.

Bake at 375º for 7-8 minutes.

Recipe inspired by Taste of Home's Back-To-School Cookies.