The Peanut Butter Cookbook by William Kaufman (1977) has recipes ranging from appetizers to soups, main dishes, salads, sauces and of course desserts and more – all made with peanut butter. Who doesn’t love peanut butter??? I was drawn to a recipe in the Famous Favorites section of the book – particularly a recipe titled Minnie Pearl’s Grinder Switch Treats. Apparently Grinder Switch was the fictional hometown of Minnie Pearl, portrayed by Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon, a comedian who appeared at the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years. Old-timers might remember she always wore a funky hat with a price tag dangling on the side!
These cookies bring me back to my childhood; they are exactly what my mom use to bake. Dip your fork in flour before flattening cookies. This cookbook is still available online.
Minnie Pearl’s Grinder Switch Treats
½ cup butter
½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
½ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 cup peanut butter
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla
Beat the butter until soft. Gradually add the sugars. Blend until light and creamy. Beat in the egg, peanut butter, salt and baking soda. Add the flour and vanilla to batter. Mix well. Pinch off pieces of dough and roll them into small balls. Place on a greased baking sheet. Flatten cookies with a fork. Bake in a preheated moderate oven (375 degrees) for about 15 minutes.
Makes about 5 dozen
connieiscooking 
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