Happy Husband Cookies (With Peanut Butter, Chocolate & Caramel)

The idea for these delicious morsels came
from my husband who loves peanut
butter, chocolate & caramel.

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened at room temperature

1 1/2 cups peanut butter

1 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 eggs

2 tablespoons milk, cream, half & half or coconut milk

3 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 (11 ounce bag) caramel bits (about 2 cups)

1 (10 ounce bag) dark or semi sweet chocolate chips (about 2 cups)

Chocolate & Caramel ingredients

Method:

Preheat oven to 350*. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and peanut butter, with an electric mixer, until well blended. Add the sugars and cream together with the butters, until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla and milk, mixing on medium speed, until thoroughly combined. Sift together the flour and baking soda. Add to the creamed ingredients, mixing just until the dough is smooth. Stir in the caramels and chocolate chips until well incorporated. Refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes. Use a cookie scoop, or your hands, to form one inch balls and place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. 
Bake for 5 minutes. Turn the baking sheets and then cook for 5 minutes longer, or just until the edges are lightly browned. Let sit on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, before moving to a rack to finish cooling. Store in an airtight container, in the refrigerator. Makes 8 1/2 dozen.

Note: One evening, my husband asked if I could make a cookie that had peanut butter, chocolate and caramel in it. I said, yes and created this recipe. That is why they are called "Happy Husband " cookies. When I brought plates to my neighbors, they became "Happy Neighbor" cookies and for my relatives, they became "Happy Family" cookies. You get the idea ~ Everyone who tried them loved them!