Peanut Butter Mice Cookies   From The Cookie Party Cookbook: The Ultimate Guide to Hosting a Cookie Exchange St. Martin's Press/Macmillan by Robin Olson (www.cookie-exchange.com) These cute little cookies will scurry off the plates!

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½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon baking soda
1½ cups all-purpose flour

Peanut halves
Chopped green candy decors or mini chocolate chips
Red licorice laces, cut into 3-inch lengths

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and peanut butter until creamy. Add the sugar and beat until fluffy.

Beat in the egg, vanilla, baking soda until well blended. With the mixer on low speed, gradually beat in the flour just until blended.

Cover with plastic wrap and chill the dough about 1 hour, until firm enough to handle.

Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. Grease or line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Shape level tablespoonfuls of the dough into 1-inch balls.

Taper each ball at one end into a teardrop shape.
Press one side flat.
Place flat side down, 2 inches apart, on ungreased baking sheets.
Press the sides of the balls to raise “backs of mice.”
(The dough will spread slightly as it bakes.)

Gently push 2 peanut halves in each for ears and 2 pieces of green chopped candy or mini chocolate chips for eyes. With a wooden pick make a ½-inch deep hole at the tail end.

Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until firm. Transfer to wire racks to cool.
Insert the licorice tails and cool completely.  

Makes 60 mice