Coconut Peanut Butter Cookies

I found the original recipe on Taste of Home (adapted from "Back to School Cookies"), a while back and wanted to give it a try.

After making a few substitutions, I ended up with this recipe. (I've baking a batch in my toaster oven now.) They would work as a breakfast cookie. I'm not sure we'll have many left by breakfast. We really like them.



Coconut Peanut Butter Cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup creamy peanut butter (You could use chunky if you wanted.)
2 cups packed brown sugar

2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups crisp rice cereal
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1 cup or one bag semi-sweet or milk chocolate baking chips

Optional 1 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
In large bowl, cream together brown sugar, shortening, butter and peanut butter.
Beat in eggs and vanilla.
Add the flour mixture and stir until mixed.
Stir in coconut, rice cereal, oats, chocolate chips and nuts.
Drop by generous rounded teaspoonfuls 2" apart on ungreased baking sheet.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove and cool on rack.

Makes about 8 dozen