Triple Threat - Peanut Butter, Oatmeal and Chocolate, Oh My!

Think of a home made cookie.  Picture it in your mind.  Chances are that you are thinking of either a peanut butter, oatmeal or chocolate chip cookie.  These seem to be some of the most popular and most often made cookies - with some variation of course.  The basics are there though.  This cookie may become a new favorite - I call it the "Triple Threat" cookie.  It combines the best of the best and then some.

Your first bite tells you something familiar has come home.  You taste the chocolate and oatmeal, then the peanut butter and a surprise of coconut come into play.  Delectable indeed are these petite treats!

This is not only a delight of flavor, but of texture.  The creamy chocolate, the lovely coconut, oatmeal and chunks of peanuts crumble across your tongue as well.  These are a simple joy. 

Have you ever noticed that when one bakes a cookie there is a feeling of warmth? (And I don't mean from the oven) A feeling unlike any other feeling.  Especially when you are making these for those you cherish or just that very special - singular person.  Even to sit and write about the process brings feelings of love, friendship and home.

Well, enough talk of the deed. Let's move on to the how.

Ingredients:

2 Cups Rolled Oats
1 Cup All Purpose Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Chunky Peanut Butter
1 Stick (1/2 Cup) Unsalted Butter (Softened)
1/2 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup White Sugar
3 Large Eggs
1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
2 Cups Chocolate Chips (Semi-Sweet)
1 1/2 Cups Shredded Coconut (Unsweetened)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a medium bowl, combine oats, flour, baking powder and salt.  In a large bowl, with a mixer at medium speed, beat together peanut butter, butter, brown sugar and white sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg.  Next add the vanilla.  Then gradually beat in oats mixture.  Now step away from the mixer and add the chips and coconut by hand, mixing with an adequately sized spoon.

Drop the dough by the tablespoon, spaced about an inch apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake 15 to 18 minutes and let cool on a wire rack.

Lastly - share the love.