C is for cookie, that's good enough for me!

October is National Cookie Month. Why an entire month to celebrate the cookie?
Why not!

By definition, a cookie can be any of a variety of hand-held, flour-based sweet cakes, either crisp or soft. Each country has its own word for "cookie." What we know as cookies are called biscuits in England and Australia, in Spain they're galletas, Germans call them keks or Plätzchen for Christmas cookies, and in Italy there are several names to identify various forms of cookies including amaretti and Biscotti, and so on. The name cookie is derived from the Dutch word koekje, meaning "small or little cake."

Here is some information about the fascinating history of cookies, and when you're ready to get your mixing bowls out, here are some facts about cookie baking.
If you'd like to find out what kind of cookie you are, take this Cookie Personality Quiz. (I'm a Mint Cookie with some Chocolate Chip Cookies mixed in)

If I had to choose just one cookie as my favorite, it would have to be Chunky Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

1 cup chunky or smooth peanut butter (I prefer chunky)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat together all the ingredients until smooth
Mix in the chocolate chips last.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto baking sheet and flatten slightly with a moistened fingertip.
Bake for about 10-13 minutes, until golden brown at the edges.
Cool on the baking pan before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Makes 2 dozen

What cookie would you choose as your favorite?