Instructions

1. Add the butter and white sugar to a bowl. Use the electric mixer to combine these two ingredients until they are blended smooth and creamy.

2. Add the eggs, peanut butter and vanilla to the bowl. If you prefer nutty-tasting cookies, add 1/2 cup more peanut butter. Use the electric mixer to blend these ingredients with the sugar and butter until smooth.

3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Set the baking sheet by the oven to prepare placing the cookie dough on it. If desired, coat the baking sheet with wax paper or spray with a cooking spray.

4. Add the dry ingredients--flour, oats, baking powder, salt and cinnamon--to the bowl with the other creamy combined ingredients. Use the electric mixer to combine everything.

5. Use a large spoon and scoop the peanut oatmeal cookie dough. Place it in dollops on the baking sheet. Use the back of the spoon to flatten the dough a bit, since the cookies will stay in whatever shape you design them once they bake. Space each spoonful of cookie dough at least 3 inches apart. Garnish with raisins if desired.

6. Slide the baking sheet full of cookie dough into the pre-heated oven. Bake for 13 to 16 minutes. Once you take the cookie sheet out of the oven, remove the cookies from it while they are still hot. Place on a cooling rack.