Magic Peanut Butter Middles

Y’all sick of cookies yet? I apologize. It’s just…I seem to be in some sort of baking rut. It’s all cookies all the time around here! I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I plan to spend my day trying to figure that out. I’m going to sit on the couch and probe into my most deep and personal thoughts. I won’t stop until I understand why I am baking so many cookies. However, If I hope to achieve personal enlightenment, I had better have a cookie or two for sustenance.

What in the world did I just say in that first paragraph? I’m fairly certain it didn’t make a bit of sense. That’s what happens when I eat too many cookies. I stop making sense. It’s sad and bad and wrong, but I just can’t help it.

Luckily, these cookies are worth it. They are basically a peanut butter ball wrapped up in chocolate cookie dough and then smooshed and baked to perfection.

My favorite part of these cookies, aside from the taste, is watching people take their first bite. They are so surprised to find smooth, creamy peanut butter hiding in the middle of their cookie.

These cookies take a little more effort than most, though. You have to roll the peanut butter mixture into small balls and then smoosh chunks of the chocolate mixture into flat little discs. Put a peanut butter ball in the center and then fold the chocolate dough around it. It’s not hard, it just takes a bit of time.

Put  the cookie balls on a baking sheet and then press them flat with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. Mm, sugar. Sugar is good.

If you aren’t all cookied out, give these a try. You’ll love ’em.

Magic Peanut Butter Middles
Recipe from allrecipes.com

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 3/4 cup peanut butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl mix together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda. In a large bowl, beat together the sugars, butter, and 1/4 cup of peanut butter until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and egg. Slowly mix in flour mixture. Set aside.

For the peanut butter filling, combine confectioners’ sugar and 3/4 cup peanut butter. Beat together well. Roll filling into 30 small balls. Try to keep the balls all the same size – around 1 inch.

For each cookie use 1 tablespoon of chocolate dough and roll into a ball. It helps to flour your hands first. Squish ball of chocolate dough flat and place peanut butter ball in the center. Wrap the chocolate dough up and around the peanut butter ball to completely cover. Place 2 inches apart on a baking sheet. Dip the bottom of a glass into white sugar and use the cup to lightly flatten the cookie balls. Bake for 7-9 minutes.