In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a medium bowl or stand up mixer cream the butter, sugars and peanut butter until fluffy about 2-3 minutes, then add the egg and vanilla, beat to combine. Add the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until the dough is just combined. Do not over beat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Shape the dough into balls, a little smaller than golf ball size about 1 inch (2cm), roll them in sugar and place on 1-2 parchment paper lined cookie sheets 2 inches (4 cm) apart
If you decide to make crinkle cookies or thumbprint cookies, then for crinkle cookies roll the balls first in granulated sugar than powdered sugar, this helps them to crinkle up perfectly. If making thumbprint cookies, roll the balls in sugar and with your thumb or wooden spoon make an indentation in the middle of the dough. Chill the cookies while the oven is pre-heating.
Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C).
Bake the cookies for approximately 12 minutes, remove from the oven if making Peanut Butter Blossoms, immediately place an unwrapped chocolate kiss in the middle of every cookie press down a bit with a little pressure, if making the thumbprint cookies, then immediately re-indent the cookies. Leave the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for about 10 minutes. Then move them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once completely cool fill the thumbprint cookies with jam or your favourite filling. For the crinkle cookies, let them cool 10-15 minutes on the cookie sheet then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
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Notes
The cookies should be stored in an airtight container and will keep at room temperature for up to 1 week. They can also be frozen in a freezer safe bag or container, place parchment paper between the layers so they dont stick together. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.The unbaked cookie balls can also be frozen for up to 3 months, freeze the balls first on a cookie sheet then move to a freezer safe container. They can be baked without thawing although they will take a bit longer to bake.