Gulf Coast Family

With their red licorice tails, candy noses and little peanut ears, these chewy “mice” were a big hit with our kids; however if your little ones are addicted to M & M’s, like ours, we highly recommend that you hide the M&M’s until you are ready to decorate (or else you will be making a special trip to grocery store, just like we had to do!)

Peanut Butter Mice

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ cup softened butter
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ cup flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• Peanut halves
• Green and red miniature M&M baking bits
• Miniature chocolate chips
• Red shoestring licorice, cut into 2-inch pieces

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream peanut butter, butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla
2. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture.
3. Refrigerate for one hour.
4. Roll into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
5. Pinch each ball at one end to taper. Insert 2 peanut halves in center of each ball for ears. Add one M&M baking bit for nose and two chocolate chips for eyes.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Insert one licorice piece into each warm cookie for tail.

Makes about 3 dozen.

Do your children love to whip up special treats in the kitchen? Do you have a favorite recipie? Email us at articles@gulfcoastfamily.org, and we may feature your young cooks in a future issue!