Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies

Preheat oven to 300°.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, soda and salt; mix well with a wire whisk and set aside.

In a large bowl, blend sugars, using an electric mixer set at medium speed. Add butter; mix to form a grainy paste, scraping the sides of the bowl.

Add eggs, peanut butter and vanilla; mix at medium speed until light and fluffy.

Add the flour mixture; mix at low speed until just mixed.

Do not overmix.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet, 1 1/2 inches apart.

With a wet fork, gently press a crisscross pattern on top of cookies.

Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until cookies are slightly browned along edges.

Transfer cookies immediately to cool surface with a spatula.

Yields 3 1/2 dozen.