Colossal Cookies

• ½ c unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 ½ c granulated white sugar
• 1 ½ c brown sugar, dark or light [your preference]
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 jar (18 oz) of crunchy peanut butter
• 6 c instant oatmeal
• 1 pkg (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda

In a large mixing bowl, blend oatmeal, both sugars, and baking soda.  Place the peanut butter and butter in a microwave safe bowl and heat slightly (probably under 30 seconds) to make it a little softer.  Add peanut butter, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and chocolate chips to the sugar mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until well blended. It will still be a stiff mixture.

Spray a nonstick cookie sheet with cooking spray.  Dip out generous spoonfuls of dough and form cookies.  They will double in size as they cook.  Flatten them out a little before cooking.

Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350° for 12-15 minutes.  They will still look soft, but will harden as they cool down.  Do not over-bake!  

** A delicious alternative for this recipe is to omit the chocolate and add 1 ½ cups raisins. **

* My mom use to make these when I was a kid.  I loved them!