Peanut Butter Cookies with Candy Bits

1 cup Peter Pan® Creamy Peanut Butter
3/4 cup Blue Bonnet® Regular Stick margarine, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 package (3 4/10 ounces) instant butterscotch pudding and pie filling
1 cup honey roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
1 package (12 1/2 ounces) chocolate-covered peanut butter bites candy

Heat oven to 350F.

In large bowl, beat peanut butter, Blue Bonnet, and sugars with electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs, one at a time.

Combine flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Add to creamed mixture with pudding mix, mixing on low speed until blended. Stir in nuts and candy. Roll dough into 1-1/4 inch balls. Place 1-1/2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Press lightly to flatten.

Bake 10 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown. (Do not overbake; centers of cookies will be soft.) Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheets; transfer to wire racks. Cool completely.

Yield: about 54 cookies
Source: 3rd Place - 2003 Blue Bonnet Family Favorites Recipe Contest