Year Of The Rat Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup butter (no substitutes, softened)
½ cup sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 ½ cups flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ cup peanut halves
2 Tbsp green and red mini M & M baking bits
4 tsp mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
60-66 2-inch pieces red or black licorice (ropes are best; I could only find twists so I had to cut them)


In a large mixing bowl, cream peanut butter, butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour and baking soda; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Refrigerate 1 hour or until easy to handle. Roll into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Pinch each ball at one end to taper. Insert 2 peanut halves in center of each ball for ears. Add one M & M for nose and 2 chocolate chips for eyes. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until set. Gently insert one licorice piece into each warm cookie for tail. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes 5 dozen.