3/4 cup peanut butter (institutional brands preferred)
1/2 cup vegetable shortening (Crisco)
1 1/4 cups light brown sugar, firmly packed
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda

* Heat oven to 375°.
* Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Add the egg and beat just until blended.
* Combine flour, salt and baking soda. Add to combined mixture and mix at low speed just until incorporated.
* Drop by heaping teaspoons 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet. Flatten slightly in crisscross pattern with tines of fork.
* Bake for 7-8 minutes, or until set and just beginning to brown. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove cookies to cool completely on wire rack.