Peanut Butter Mice

Submitted by Katie Stark

1 cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup butter (no substitutes), softened
½ cup sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1 ½ cups all- purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup peanut halves
2 tablespoons red and green M&M baking bits
4 teaspoons miniature semisweet chocolate chips Cake decorator holly leaf and berry candies (cake decorating gel can be substituted for the candies)
60-66, 2 inch pieces of red shoestring licorice



Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, cream peanut butter, butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour and baking soda; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until easy to handle.

Roll into 1 inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Pinch each ball at one end to taper. Insert two peanut halves in center of each ball for ears. Add one M&M baking bit for nose and two chocolate chips for eyes. Arrange holly and berry candies in front of one ear.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 min. or until set. Gently insert one licorice piece into each warm cookie for the tail. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes approximately 5 dozen.

For cake decorating gel, wait for the "mouse" to cool before arranging the "holy and leaf" decoration on the ear. The gel will melt if put on immediately after they are taken out of the oven.

This recipe is a hit for Christmas parties, birthday parties, school parties and bake sales.