I am three weeks behind on my blogging, but forgive me. I had a birthday to celebrate and just kept thinking, I’ll cook when it cools off. But so far Saturday is looking like a chilly 86, so it’s going to be Costco chickens for a while.
If we were meant to cook in summer:
a. It wouldn’t be so stinking hot and,
b. Rotisserie chickens would have never been invented.
My birthday started with a visit from my mother in the form of a butterfly in the front yard. (To understand that, you’ll have to read this older story about my mom, called, “A Pooty Butterfly.”
I got to spend the day with my kids, which is all I ever want for a birthday gift. We started the day with breakfast out, then rode the swan boats in Echo Park, then went to dinner at a fabulous restaurant called Republique. The coolest part was one of my son’s friends from elementary school works there as a chef now. A chef! (I hold chefs in the same esteem my mom used to hold the Pope.)

What a thrill to go there and see a kid I watched grow up, working behind the counter of this fabulous restaurant, making dishes that blew me away. Now I’ll be totally intimidated if I ever cook for him again!
But he told me this little story during our quick visit with him: When I met Adrian, he was probably 11 or 12, and would barely speak to us, which made me feel bad because most kids will talk your ear off. I didn’t remember this, but once when he was visiting, I apparently asked him, why he didn’t talk to us. He said he hadn’t thought about his silence around grown ups before, so he thought about it. He said, after that, he made an effort to talk to people more, and became very outgoing — which kind of blew me away. I guess you never know how your words can affect someone.
What a great birthday gift, hearing that I actually made a teeny positive difference, because you never know whether people’s lives are better or worse for you having been there. So that little chat with Adrian along with the amazing pasta he made us, and just getting to see him were priceless gifts!

Maybe it’s true, it does takes a village. I’m sure there are other kids I’ve scarred for life. They’ll be in touch after their therapy sessions have ended.
My late mother-in-law used to tell a story about a kid who came to the door looking for Roger (her son). This kid was asking for Roger, but with a terrible stutter.
Certain he was messing with her, like most of her son’s friends, she stuttered back, “N-n-n-no. R-r-r-r-roger’s n-nnnot h-h-here. Turned out the kid really did have a stutter. She felt guilty for decades. Being part of the village can haunt you too!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment paper, or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set it aside.
Beat the butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Add the sugars, beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl as you go. Beat in the peanutbutter until fully incorporated, then add the eggs, one at a time, then the vanilla. Then, gently stir in the ground peanuts and stir until just incorporated.
Take 2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into 2 inch balls. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets, making sure keep them 2 1/2 inches apart. Then get a fork, and dip it in water and press it on the ball, in one direction, then in another direction to make it look like a crisscross.
Bake 12 minutes, until the cookies are puffed and slightly brown at the edges, but not on top. Cool the cookies.
Then place the butterscotch chips in a small saucepan and add the whipping cream. Stir with a whisk until smooth and remove from heat. Let it cool until it thickens slightly. Then drizzle just a small amount over the cookies. And sprinkle with a dash of sea salt.
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment paper, or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. Set it aside.
Beat the butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Add the sugars, beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the bowl as you go. Beat in the peanutbutter until fully incorporated, then add the eggs, one at a time, then the vanilla. Then, gently stir in the ground peanuts and stir until just incorporated.
Take 2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into 2 inch balls. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets, making sure keep them 2 1/2 inches apart. Then get a fork, and dip it in water and press it on the ball, in one direction, then in another direction to make it look like a crisscross.
Bake 12 minutes, until the cookies are puffed and slightly brown at the edges, but not on top. Cool the cookies.
Then place the butterscotch chips in a small saucepan and add the whipping cream. Stir with a whisk until smooth and remove from heat. Let it cool until it thickens slightly. Then drizzle just a small amount over the cookies. And sprinkle with a dash of sea salt.
16 Comments
George Maupin
August 18, 2019 at 2:26 pmA Belated Happy Birthday! [My apartment microwave quit on me, so now I have to cook on the electric stove; thanks for this tasty-treat recipe! ]
Fran Tunno
August 31, 2019 at 5:02 pmHi George, I’m so sorry that your microwave quit. I would be lost without mine. They have good deals at Costco. I almost bought one a little while ago. A very nice one for about 100 bucks. Good luck. Maybe you’ll turn to baking instead!
EmilyAnn Frances
August 18, 2019 at 7:22 amBelatted birthday greetings, Fran. I toast you for a great year ahead. Yes, you got wonderful, priceless gifts on this birthday. I think your Mom must have nudged Adrian’s Guardian Angel to help bring the reunion about.
Fran Tunno
August 31, 2019 at 5:00 pmAwww Emily, thank you so much for the sweet note! I very much appreciate that you took the time to write. And I gratefully accept your toast! You’re probably right about my mom…she had a way of getting things done! Here’s to a great year for everyone! xoxo
daedae51
August 16, 2019 at 7:55 pmWhat an uplifting blog, so glad you had a great birthday. I love that this recipe is 1 serving 🙂
Fran Tunno
August 17, 2019 at 12:48 pmHA!!!!!! Clearly, I am dunderhead who is still figuring out the software…yep should always check that before hitting print. I was so excited to get this out, I didn’t check the recipe again before publishing. That would be one big dessert since the cookies themselves were huge!
daedae51
August 17, 2019 at 5:37 pmIt gave me an extra giggle, which I needed yesterday 🙂
lafriday
August 16, 2019 at 6:36 pmOkay: peanut butter cookies are my fave–and with a butterscotch drizzle–I might have to forgo keto for a day. And Fran, I suspect there are MANY lives touched by your wit, your friendship, your cooking and your BIG heart–the kids and their parents.
Fran Tunno
August 17, 2019 at 8:39 amAwww Linda. Thank you. I love PB cookies too and these have a nice chew to them. I’m sure there are equally as many kids who’ll come to me after therapy. Love you to bits. It was too late to call last night when I got home, but I’ll try you at some point today. xoxoxo
margaz2013
August 16, 2019 at 12:02 pmI love your blog!! This recipe looks delicious, but all your recipes are delicious! I loved seeing Adrian all grown up and a chef!!! I would love to see him again. He was very quiet! It is a wonderful feeling to know you impacted someone’s in a positive way. I just read some positive comments from students I taught in the 1980’s! You were a positive force coming to my classroom to read to the children. I was as entertained as they were. I still need to get you up here for dinner. Will get back to you with possible dates. ❤️❤️
margaz2013
August 16, 2019 at 12:09 pmCorrection: someone’s life
Fran Tunno
August 16, 2019 at 2:49 pmAwww thank you Marianne. It’s so amazing to see what these kids are becoming. I remember a few years ago writing to a favorite teacher of mine – we corresponded for a while – and it was great! Teachers quite often make the biggest difference of all! I’m ready for dinner whenever you are! xoxo
Monica
August 16, 2019 at 8:36 amThe cookies look divine and I might make them when it cools off here. Great story about how we affect other people’s lives- you are such a talented writer!
Fran Tunno
August 16, 2019 at 9:03 amThank you Monica. I was really surprised to hear it. I’m sure the therapy conversations will be coming soon as well. Thanks for always reading and taking the time to respond. I hope you, Davey and the kids are great! xo
Jerry Kitchel
August 16, 2019 at 7:53 amGreat read, Franny! It takes a village all right. Good reminder.
Fran Tunno
August 16, 2019 at 9:04 amAwwww Jerry, if anyone would know that it would be you. You’ve been doing good deeds since forever and the world is way better for it. We should have lunch soon. Miss you. Maybe we can even grab Fred!