Photography: Meg & Michael Price

The following recipe was contributed by Nancy Kux from Nancy's Fancies on the Peninsula.

These cookies are from my childhood and from my aunt's kitchen. She was a wonderful baker who never tired of baking. When I was young, these cookies were dreamy to eat--with all that browned butter and crunchiness. Eating good sweets lured me into the kitchen. I fell in love with the transformation of ingredients into desserts, the great aromas, and the discovery of new tastes. Yet I still love the purity of only a few ingredients mixed together. "Simple, pure and delicious" were words I remember as a product's slogan. They have remained with me.

I'm not a romantic--much more practical--hearts and flowers are for others. Butter, sugar, chocolate, eggs, and peanut butter are what I swoon over!

Sharing these cookies is a MUST. So go into the kitchen, assemble the few ingredients, and when you are ready to roll the cookies into balls--put on some music, sit down, and dream about your honey and your good times together. That is what I discovered--the dream part is in the creation.

Dreams
Ingredients:
8 ounces sweet butter
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour,
1/2 tsp. baking soda
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2 quart saucepan
wooden spoon
2 or 3 cookie sheets
parchment paper (optional)